Type 1 diabetes patients cannot regulate their blood sugar levels because they lack insulin-secreting cells. To prevent excessively high blood sugar levels, they receive insulin injections that control blood sugar. However, if blood sugar levels drop too low, hypoglycemia can occur, potentially leading to loss of consciousness or seizures, and in severe cases, death.
A device that can automatically respond to emergency situations caused by hypoglycemia has been developed. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stated on the 9th that they have developed an emergency drug delivery device to be implanted under the skin for Type 1 diabetes patients. The research findings were published in the international journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
When a diabetes patient receives insulin and their blood sugar drops excessively, they can administer glucagon, a hormone, to raise their blood sugar levels. If the patient feels hypoglycemic symptoms, they can immediately inject glucagon, but it is challenging to respond if they suddenly lose consciousness or are asleep. Young patients who cannot self-inject and individuals living alone are also at risk.
To address this issue, researchers designed a coin-sized device that can be implanted under the skin. The drug reservoir, manufactured using a three-dimensional (3D) printer, is designed to automatically release medication when it reaches a certain temperature. The opening and closing mechanism is made of shape-memory alloy.
When the sensor detects hypoglycemia, it generates current to change the shape of the shape-memory alloy, opening the medication door. As the medication escapes and the temperature changes, the shape-memory alloy returns to its original form. The medication used for blood sugar control is stored in powder form to enable long-term preservation.
The researchers implanted the device into diabetic mice to verify its normal operation. As the mice's blood sugar levels dropped, glucagon was automatically released, restoring blood sugar to normal levels within 10 minutes.
Using the same method, they successfully injected epinephrine, a drug used for cardiac arrest or anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction). They confirmed the potential for the device to be used as a platform for delivering various emergency medications beyond diabetes management.
The researchers have currently confirmed the device's performance up to four weeks post-implantation and are conducting studies to enhance its use for over a year. In the future, they plan to expand animal testing and conduct clinical trials involving humans within three years.
Daniel Anderson, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at MIT, noted, "This device could be a breakthrough that frees patients and their families from the fear of hypoglycemia," adding, "It could be adapted for many more emergency medications in the future."
References
Nature Biomedical Engineering (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41551-025-01436-2