Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Engineers at Oregon State University have used "additive manufacturing" to create an improved type of glucose sensor for patients with Type 1diabetes, part of a system that should work better, cost less and be more comfortable for the patient.
A key advance is use of electrohydrodynamic jet, or "e-jet" printing, to make the sensor. Conceptually, e-jet printing is a little like an inexpensive inkjet printer - but it creates much finer drop sizes and works with biological materials such as enzymes, instead of ink.
The technology would create an "artificial pancreas" using a single point of bodily entry, or catheter, instead of existing systems that require four entry points, usually in a type of belt worn around the waist.
"This technology and other work that could evolve from it should improve a patient's health, comfort and diabetes management," said Greg Herman, an OSU associate professor of chemical engineering.
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=51110
A key advance is use of electrohydrodynamic jet, or "e-jet" printing, to make the sensor. Conceptually, e-jet printing is a little like an inexpensive inkjet printer - but it creates much finer drop sizes and works with biological materials such as enzymes, instead of ink.
The technology would create an "artificial pancreas" using a single point of bodily entry, or catheter, instead of existing systems that require four entry points, usually in a type of belt worn around the waist.
"This technology and other work that could evolve from it should improve a patient's health, comfort and diabetes management," said Greg Herman, an OSU associate professor of chemical engineering.
http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=51110