MIT 3D prints glucagon-releasing implant for diabetic care
The quarter-sized reservoir sits under the skin and can be wirelessly triggered—or linked to a glucose sensor—to release emergency medication when blood sugar drops too low
According to MIT, engineers have developed a 3D printed implantable device that can automatically release glucagon to prevent severe hypoglycemia in people with Type 1 diabetes. This quarter-sized reservoir sits under the skin and can be wirelessly triggered—or linked to a glucose sensor—to release emergency medication when blood sugar drops too low.
“This is a small, emergency-event device that can be placed under the skin, where it is ready to act if the patient’s blood sugar drops too low,” said Daniel Anderson, professor at MIT and senior author of the study. “Our goal was to build a device that is always ready to protect patients from low blood sugar.”
The device contains powdered glucagon, a hormone that signals the liver to release glucose. Unlike the liquid version, which degrades quickly, this powder remains stable for long periods. A nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy seals the reservoir and curls open when heated to 40°C by a small electrical current, releasing the dose. The device’s antenna allows it to receive wireless signals, potentially from a glucose monitor, to activate drug release.
Lead author Siddharth Krishnan, now at Stanford, highlights the system’s ability to “talk to sensors,” enabling automated responses during sleep or unconscious episodes—especially useful for children or those unaware of hypoglycemic symptoms.
The research, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, also shows the device works with powdered epinephrine, suggesting future use in treating heart attacks or anaphylactic shock.
In animal tests, blood sugar stabilized within 10 minutes of glucagon release, and epinephrine triggered a fast rise in heart rate. The implants lasted up to four weeks in mice, and the team is now working toward year-long functionality.
Despite fibrotic tissue forming around the implant—a typical bodily reaction—drug delivery remained effective. MIT researchers aim to begin clinical trials within three years. “It’s really exciting to see our team accomplish this, which I hope will someday help diabetic patients and could more broadly provide a new paradigm for delivering any emergency medicine,” said MIT’s Robert Langer.
The work was funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, NIH, NIBIB, and a JDRF postdoctoral fellowship.
