Does anyone have any information on how to get into thestudy for the artificial pancreas?
The studies on closed loop systems are at a very early stage where researchers are simply trying to see whether their algorithms can keep someone from going hyper or hypo when given a challenging meal and when sleeping over night. Subjects are kept in controlled environments and under tight watch. They aren't anywhere near the stage that you would think of as a clinical trial.
I used the term closed loop system because I think describing these systems as an "artificial pancreas" is more marketing than reality.
I'll gladly pay for my AP with artificial money. Screw that thing, its nothing more then a pipe dream that manufacturers are hoping to cash in on. We need a biological fix not a bunch of machinery "do it right or don't do it at all"!
There's a good link to an account of a participant in a closed loop trial here:
http://sixuntilme.com/blog2/2011/12/from_abby_closed_loop_trial.html
That doesn't make it sound really promising. Stuff like "vomited for 2 hours" and "cut short by vomit" [so the threshold his > 2 hours?] make me question the practicality of the gizmo?
I have offered before to bet $100 that I can beat any researcher's artificial pancreas w/ my current rig.
Yes, certainly in the beginning. There was a British International Chess Master who bet that he could beat any chess program and he was able to so for quite some time but eventually those programs actually reached top grandmaster level. At some point, the closed loop systems will have programing that does a better job than any of us. But one cannot make plans based on "at some point".
I’m not sure about “at some point” since the scientists developing the gizmos are limited by docgtors and lawyers as to what they are allowed to aim at. Without any limitations, I’m pretty confident! 
Do a search on clinicaltrials.gov
I was all set to go on this through a Private research company in Long Beach California.
I was supposed to start with 1 MONTH in the hospital. I figured I could possibly swing it with work but the family thing was going to be tough, After I agreed to enter the program, they called me back and said that they didn't get the contract. This was a 2 year study. It sounded like a Phase 2 trial not a phase 1 since It was for 2 years.
In any case it did not happen for me this time. I am still looking around.
I find that if you get into a study , then you will be the first they call the next time.
I did an inhaled insulin study about 10 years ago and they still call me for things all the time related to diabetes.
In any case I did see the set up for it.
It was the exact same set up I already have, A MM REVEL pump and sensor. Only this required wearing 2 sensors at one time. And hard wired to a MAC laptop from the pump to the computer. 2 YEARS ATTACHED TO A LAP TOP !! and I VOLUNTEERED !
No telling if it was going to kill me either, I can not see any reason they could not fit the computer into a pump once the kinks are worked out.
It already costs $6000 for an insulin pump. I can not imagine what this will cost us, but of course we will all pay it if it works. IF we can afford it.
I have to agree that you'd win, but I *do* wish you'd lose!
LOL, yeah, if they win, I'll buy one!!
I just joined this site yesterday and came across your question while browsing around, but I thought I could provide a little update on the studies. I live in WA and am currently participating in the artificial pancreas studies going on there. In 2012-2013, they were trying to stress the algorithms by having one group eat 120g carbs of pizza (to test the high limits), and another group ride on a bike for 30 minutes (to test the low limits). Now they have moved onto the "ad lib" study where participants try to mimic their daily routine as much as possible as far as meals, exercise, etc. I've done 2 visits so far and have 2 more left to go. They are still finding small glitches every now and then, but I do have to say the technology is looking very promising (and is now wireless)! :) This is just for the studies going on in WA, however -- I'm not too sure where else they are going on around the country, sorry!
Thanks for the update!! Do you have any links to the project in which you participated? It seems like they are making rapid progress and I've seen 2017 tossed around in relation to one project recently. Thanks again!
I've been trying to look for links but everything seems to be dated 2012 or earlier. There was a TV broadcast about a month ago where the nurse practitioner and a study participant talk a little bit about the study (but in simple terms for the general public). The link is:
If you'd like to try doing some of your own research, the study is being conducted at the Benaroya Research Institute of Seattle.
They are making rapid progress! It was great to talk with the engineers who developed the 'fuzzy logic' software that is used in the study. They said that they are trying to get the ad lib studies done as quickly as possible so they can move onto the next study, where participants stay at a hotel for a few days and eat, exercise, etc. out in the community like they normally would (whereas right now we are confined to the research unit, only have a bike to exercise on and eating off of the hospital menu). The start date for that is possibly early-mid 2014, but it's research so that could always change. It's really exciting stuff though!
Also, the first study (pizza and exercise) was not wireless so we had to stay in bed because of all of the cords. The technology is now wireless for the ad lib studies so we are free to walk around and do whatever (although the tablet/CGM receiver/pancreas setup is still a bit big). For the community/hotel study, I've been told that we will be using Medtronic pumps and the artificial pancreas technology will be downsized from a tablet to an android phone.
I hope I have all of my facts correct and that this helps you stay updated on what's going on in Seattle!
Thanks for the link! That's awesome that they are having the first test be pizza and exercise! Most of the articles I've seen have been about the Ed Damiano project in Massachusets. I hope they get one going here in Chicago soon...
OK, I'm going to have to look up this research institute. Hubs and I decided that maybe I need to be an experiment to get the help that I need. There is a place in Renton called the Rainier Research that does some diabetic testing. I contacted them and have qualified for an infra-red glucose meter study. I find that pretty exciting because I would love to quit stabbing.
They first started working on the technology in Seattle in 2002 I believe, so if they are doing one in Chicago it's probably already started somewhere. There's also studies going on in Portland for a dual-chamber artificial pancreas that has insulin AND glucagon. The problem is that they first have to figure out how to stabilize the glucagon...
I'm going to the Benaroya Research Institute's workshop on November 5th that will be talking about where they are with the artificial pancreas. I will try to get you some links from that!
They are doing an infra-red glucose meter study at Rainier Research?! That's awesome! I love learning new things that are being researched :) I feel like I've heard of that place too, but I think it's from TV commercials for depression studies or something haha. They are also doing a Vitamin D study at Benaroya that I'm going to try to get into (pretty sure I'm running low).
It is likely you are. My last dr in Oregon said he found that most of his patients were and Seattle is even farther north than Portland.
Please do keep us posted! Thsi whole thing is a game-changer!
I hope everyone can join the live interview on Thursday with Ed Damiano and Steven Russell
http://www.tudiabetes.org/events/live-interview-with-drs-edward-damiano-and-steven-russell-creator
please leave any questions in the comment area of the event, and Emily will make sure they get asked. The interview will be recorded in case you can't make it.