A Review of Programmed Insulin Delivery Systems

The recent rapid progress in programmed insulin delivery systems is reviewed. The lack of miniature blood glucose sensors with adequate lifetimes has led most researchers to develop electronic controls for insulin delivery systems that can be programmed to deliver insulin in a basal or background mode with higher rates delivered following meals. The initial success with simple models of these devices in normalizing blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetics has resulted in the development of a variety of systems, including some that are implantable, which are being used in animal and clinical trials around the world. The types of pumps, controls and monitors, and system philosophy of existing insulin delivery devices are summarized and clinical results are referenced.