Title: Managing Type 1 Diabetes Becomes More Manageable with the Aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Managing Type 1 Diabetes Is Tricky. Can AI Help?
Managing type 1 diabetes can be a challenging and complex task. Individuals with this condition, like Harry Emerson, who was diagnosed just before heading off to college, depend on medical devices to survive. Since the body cannot produce insulin, a hormone necessary to transport blood sugar and fuel cells, careful blood sugar monitoring is crucial.
Traditionally, people with type 1 diabetes have to manually track their blood sugar levels through finger pricks and log the results every few hours. Insulin injections are administered when blood sugar is too high or expected to spike after a meal, while fast-acting carbs are consumed to counterbalance low blood sugar. However, this mental math can become overwhelming due to the multitude of factors involved. Every time I eat, I have to make a decision, says Emerson. Considering all the subtle factors with their minuscule effects can be impossible.
Fortunately, individuals with access to advanced devices can delegate some decision-making to AI-powered machines. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are capable of measuring blood sugar levels every few minutes using a sensor placed beneath the skin. The readings are transmitted to a small monitor or smartphone. Insulin pumps, discreetly stored in pockets or clipped onto waistbands, release a steady stream of insulin throughout the day, with additional doses during mealtimes. When a CGM can communicate with an insulin pump through a closed-loop system, the doses can be adjusted automatically, ensuring blood sugar remains within the target range.
However, the existing algorithms’ hardcoded rules in these systems render them inflexible and reactive. Even the most sophisticated devices cannot account for every imperfection in daily life. Just as a phone’s fitness app cannot track steps without the phone, a CGM cannot provide data if the monitor is forgotten. Additionally, accurately counting carbs can be challenging, and sticking to three regular meals each day may not be practical for everyone.
Harry Emerson, now a PhD student at the University of Bristol’s Department of Engineering Mathematics, is researching how machine learning can aid individuals with type 1 diabetes, making their lives easier. In a study conducted in collaboration with the University Hospital Southampton, Emerson’s team trained a machine learning algorithm with data from 30 simulated patients over a period of seven months. The algorithm learned to determine the appropriate doses of insulin for various real-life scenarios. Surprisingly, it achieved a dosing strategy comparable to commercial controllers after just two months of training, significantly less time than previously tested algorithms required.
Emerson believes that machine learning algorithms have the potential to revolutionize diabetes management since they continually evolve. Current control algorithms are rigidly defined and derived from lengthy periods of patient observation, he explains, highlighting that this approach can be both expensive and impractical.
In conclusion, machine learning algorithms hold exciting promise for improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes. By leveraging AI technology, individuals can overcome the complexities and uncertainties associated with everyday life while managing their condition effectively. As the research progresses, these intelligent systems will undoubtedly evolve, providing a valuable and accessible aid for all those living with type 1 diabetes.
