Artificial Pancreas ;

The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine. These enzymes help in the further breakdown of the carbohydrates, protein, and fat.

Digestion is the process of breaking down food into molecules small enough for the body to absorb.

1. The mouth. 2. The pharynx, which in humans, leads to both the trachea and the esophagus. While food is being swallowed, the epiglottis blocks the trachea. 3. The esophagus, which is the tube from the pharynx to the stomach. 4. The stomach is a J-shaped, expandable sack, normally on the left side of the upper abdomen. 5. The small intestine, which has a length of about 6 m. 6. The large intestine or colon. 7. The rectum .
As well as digestive system, there is endocrine system, and the pancreas is a part of this system; with purpose and a role in hormone production.
Endocrine system is made up of glands that produce and secrete hormones. These hormones regulate the body's growth, metabolism and sexual development and function. * Endocrine system is made up of glands that produce and secrete hormones. These hormones regulate the body's growth, metabolism and sexual development and function. *
Pancreas: is a glandular organ that secretes digestive enzymes and hormones. Physiology or Function- Pancreas is one of the organs in the body that has both exocrine and endocrinal functions.
Exocrine Function - It secretes an alkaline juice with enzymes such as - amylase and lipase, which help digest the fat, protein as well as carbohydrates. It secretes about 1.5 liters of these juices in a day.
Endocrine Function - It secretes two important hormones namely - Insulin and Glucagon which are essential for regulation of glucose in the blood.
Function of the Pancreas: * The pancreas is largely responsible for maintaining blood glucose levels. * The pancreas can measure blood sugar.
The pancreas releases a hormone to correct the sugar level.

Failure of Pancreas;

* Failure of pancreas occur when the pancreas is diseased or has sustained damage or injury. * Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas. * Diabetes : there is direct damage of the endocrine pancreas that results in insufficient insulin synthesis and secretion. * Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: (EPI) is the inability to properly digest food due to a lack of digestive enzymes made by the pancreas. * Pancreatic cancer: cancer cells form in the tissues of the pancreas.

Causes of pancreas symptoms include: * Abdominal injury or trauma * Adverse effects of drugs such as steroids * Alcohol abuse * Cystic fibrosis (hereditary disease) * Drug allergy * Gallstones * Hypercalcemia (high level of calcium in the bloodstream) * Hyperlipidemia (high level of fats in the bloodstream) * Pancreatic cancer

The diagnosis of pancreas disease is typically based on tests on pancreatic structure and function. * Presence of jaundice * Raised alkaline phosphate levels * Ultrasound or abdominal CT * Endoscopic Ultrasound(EUS)

Treatment; * The different treatment are medical measures, therapeutic endoscopy and surgery. Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus may occur and need long term insulin therapy. * Surgery ( Whipple Procedure) * Chemotherapy * Radiation * Artificial Pancreas * Replacement pancreatic enzymes are effective in treating the malabsorption.

Artificial pancreas is a technology to help people with diabetes automatically control their blood glucose level by providing the substitute endocrine functionality of a health
The artificial pancreas has three elements: * a glucose sensor * a computer * a device for administering insulin and glucagon.

Glucose measurement:
The artificial pancreas has a device that monitors blood glucose (sugar) levels every five minutes
Computer controller:
The glucose level readings are transmitted to a computer that calculates the body's requirements for insulin and glucagon
Insulin and glucagon administration:
The computer regulates how much insulin (which reduces blood sugar levels) and glucagon (which raises them) should be administered 24 hours a day.
An insulin pump (will be) connected wirelessly with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The CGM continuously reads glucose levels through a sensor with a hair-thin sensor wire inserted just below the skin, typically on the abdomen.
The sensor would transmit those readings to the insulin pump, which delivers insulin through a small tube or patch* on the body.
“The pump would house a sophisticated computer program that will address safety concerns during the day and night, helping prevent hypoglycemia . It would slow or stop insulin delivery if it detected blood sugar was going too low and would increase insulin delivery if blood sugar was too high.

Medtronic Smart Pump - Insulin Pump (Medtronic, 2013)

The insulin pump made by Medtronics, is as big as a pager and stores hormones. A plastic tube with a needle to infuse insulin is attached to the body, and must be moved to new injection site every 3 days.
The small sensor is attached under skin, and the transmitter sends the reading to another pager, which is coordinated by an Anddroid phone.
Smart pump is used for diabetic people with low sugar level, leading to lack of energy and irritability.
If the low blood sugar level occurs when person sleeping, it can lead to seizures. The smart pump shuts the insulin supply as long as blood sugar level is below certain level.
This technology is currently available in Europe , reducing the related complications for diabetic sufferers.