MIT researchers have developed a groundbreaking implantable device that could transform type 1 diabetes treatment by providing a continuous supply of insulin without the need for daily injections. The wireless bioelectronic prototype, roughly the size of a quarter, successfully maintained normal blood sugar levels in diabetic mice for one month by generating oxygen to sustain transplanted insulin-producing cells.
Revolutionary Oxygen Generation Technology
The device addresses a critical challenge in islet cell transplantation by creating oxygen on-demand through electrolysis of water molecules. "We've developed what I believe is the first device that makes oxygen and keeps islet cells alive for an extended amount of time, all without wires," said Daniel Anderson, Ph.D., a professor of chemical engineering at MIT and the senior author of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The implant features an electrode that sends electric current through nearby water molecules, splitting them into hydrogen and oxygen. Below the electrode, chambers housing islet cells are encapsulated in oxygen-permeable membranes, allowing the generated oxygen to reach and sustain the cells.
Wireless Design Eliminates Battery Constraints
To maintain a lean, wireless design, the researchers built the device without an onboard battery. Instead, an external power source emits radio waves that are picked up by a receiver on the device, generating electrical current through inductive coupling - the same process commonly used to wirelessly charge smartphones and other devices.
Promising Preclinical Results
The research team tested their strategy by loading devices with islet cells from rats and implanting them into diabetic mouse models. Blood sugar levels in treated mice decreased to normal levels within a day and remained stable until two days after implant removal. In a separate glucose tolerance test, mice with the implant produced sufficient insulin to quickly adjust their blood sugar to healthy levels, similar to healthy mice.
Addressing Critical Treatment Challenges
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys islet cells within the pancreas, hindering the body's ability to produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Standard treatment typically requires patients to inject insulin several times daily, creating a significant physical and mental burden.
While islet cell transplantation has shown promise, it faces substantial obstacles. These cells require protection from immune system attacks, and while immunosuppressive medications can prevent rejection, they are not suitable for all patients due to potential severe adverse reactions. Encapsulating cells within implantable devices offers protection but can cut cells off from oxygen, ultimately causing islet death.
Future Development Plans
This initial success in mice positions the team for future work in larger animals for longer periods. Anderson noted that next steps will involve packing more cells into the implant while maintaining a small overall device size.
"This device tackles a cohort of challenges researchers have contended with for a long time," said Jessica Falcone, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Medical Devices Program. "This research has the potential to one day reduce the burden of constant insulin management for patients and may also provide treatments for other disorders."
The research was funded by grants from NIBIB, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, highlighting the collaborative effort to advance diabetes treatment technologies.
