The two articles combine systemic information about the bionic pancreas with poignant narratives describing the life-changing potential of this technology for people with type 1 diabetes. Through the use of an iPhone run control algorithm, two insulin pumps dosing insulin and glucagon, and a continuous glucose monitor, Dr. Ed Damiano and Dr. Steven Russell’s bionic pancreas makes automatic adjustments to keep glucose levels in range.
In “The Bionic Pancreas,” Kelly Close describes her experience as a participant in a three-day bionic pancreas trial, and how for those three days she lived a life free from the hassle of carb-counting and the worry of hypoglycemia. Subsequently, in “The Bionic Kids,” Alasdair Wilkins and Adam Brown document a follow-up bionic pancreas trial conducted at a summer camp for children with type 1 diabetes, describing how the bionic pancreas enabled kids to enjoy active summer fun without having to manage their diabetes. Both articles conclude by outlining the upcoming challenges to the production of a commercially available bionic pancreas.