A skin patch that delivers drugs directly into the foot could provide a new source of relief for diabetics who frequently suffer from foot ulcers. Diabetes causes both blockages in the blood vessels and hinders the formation a protein called hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1a)--a protein that triggers the genes that form capillaries at wound sites. These two factors both slow wound healing, which can in turn lead to amputation. In order to assist in the body's healing, a...

Because traditional insulin pumps are bulk and obvious, only about 30 percent of people with Type 2 diabetes choose them over daily injections. The new insulin pump will be slimmer and more elegant than traditional insulin pumps, making it easier to carry and more discreet. The pump will be about the size of a credit card and will feature a full color touchscreen display. It will be powered by a rechargeable battery and will control both fast acting and low flow dosages. It...

A new insulin substitute could replace injections with a simple, and less painful, pill. The pill will be based off a 3D molecular map of the insulin's activity. The pill will not be broken down in the stomach, so it will be taken orally. It will also be cheaper and easier to produce and store than conventional insulin, making it well suited for use in developing countries.

Diabetics may soon be able to check their blood sugar through their sweat, eliminating the need for needles and blood. Why not develop a device which can detect the variances in sweat patterns that occur when the body's glucose reaches critically low levels? The sweat meter will consist of at least three electrodes to be attached to the skin, which will provide a more accurate reading of the slight electrical current that will be sent through the surface of the skin and into the...

The idea is to develop an insulin delivery device able to control blood glucose levels overnight, automatically dispensing insulin as needed. The artificial pancreas will use a closed loop insulin delivery system to monitor the insulin levels in people with type 1 diabetes. The system will took insulin level readings every 15 minutes, and automatically dispense the correct amount of insulin.

The idea is to create a glucose sensor for diabetes sufferers which will use tear fluid instead of blood. This may soon eliminate the need for finger pricks. The device will be able to take a sample of tear fluid by a painless dab at the corner of the eye. The device's sensor will measure the amount of glucose in the tear sample which is supposed to be very similar to the amount of glucose in blood. Image: A - screen-printed electrical leads, B - an insulating layer, C - a...

The recent researches showed that men with type-1 diabetes might soon be able to grow new insulin cells using their own testicular tissue. Sperm cells have the genes needed to become embryonic stem cells. They might be a safer treatment than stem-cell therapies (which can actually result in rejection).

I wish I had some kind of an insulin doser inserted in my leg. The doser would check constantly my blood and deliver the right amount of insulin when needed. I would be able to recharge the doser with an injection to it. Such a device can definitely be used for almost any medicament.