Diabetic hope from pump
4 Jul 2003
Researchers at the State University of New York have developed a microscopic pump which could help spell the end for daily blood tests for diabetics.
The pump, which has no mechanical parts, is also likely to find uses in 'lab-on-a-chip' devices for applications as diverse as the nuclear industry and in space technology.
Developed by CJ Zhong, the pump can be incorporated into a complete analysis and dosing device the size of a fingernail.
At its heart is a column the width of a human hair, filled with two immiscible liquids. Opposite electrical currents applied to either side of the column force the liquids to oscillate, simulating the action of a diaphragm pump. The pump is capable of sampling tiny amounts of a liquid and sending the sample to an analyser.
Because the device is so small, it can easily be implanted below the skin. If the detector was configured to be sensitive to glucose, and its signal used to modulate an insulin delivery system, it could be used as part of diabetes treatment.
The device would monitor glucose levels continuously, determine the need for insulin, and deliver precise amounts when they were needed. The constant analysis would mean that there would be no need for blood tests, and the regularly-administered insulin dosages would smooth out the highs and lows which can cause problems for diabetics.
Other applications are also possible. 'For example there's the Space Shuttle,' says Zhang. 'If you want to analyse the water quality, this would allow you to take as small as sample as possible.' Astronauts would therefore be able to check that their water supply was drinkable without consuming large amounts of the precious fluid in repeated tests.
