Micromachined, hydrogel-driven, glucose-sensitive valve for microfluidic control of insulin delivery.

J. Hofmeister
University of Minnesota, US

Keywords: hydrogel, microvalve, insulin pump, microsensor, type 1 diabetes, microfludics

Abstract:

The invention is a hydrogel-based wireless glucose-sensitive sensor and valve based on a hydrogel which swells and shrinks according to blood glucose levels, blocking or opening a microchannel through which insulin, supplied by a pressurized reservoir, flows. Measured in microns to millimeters, this device could be fully implanted.