Is Closed Loop Glucose Control for ICU Patients Just Around the Corner?
Journal Title: Journal of Intensive and Critical Care - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Effective glucose control in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting has the potential to lower mortality rates [1], shorten length of stay [2] and decrease overall cost of care [3]. Yet the goal of achieving this control remains elusive due to the limitations of our current open loop methods [4] that still require manual testing of glucose values, entry of the measured value into local or web based glucose control software, and manual adjustment of the intravenous pumps infusing insulin into the ICU patient. In order to improve overall glucose control, ICU care givers will need to be empowered with a closed loop glucose control system. The three main components of a closed loop glucose control system are a glucose sensor(s), control algorithm, and intravenous pump(s). Current intravenous pumps are accurate and reliable enough for a closed loop system, so the two components preventing completion of the system are the glucose sensor(s) and controller. An accurate and reliable glucose sensor array is a must, as trying to control a system without real time knowledge of mission critical sensor data will invariably lead to unacceptable outcomes, as has been seen in the aerospace industry [5]. In fact, the aerospace industry provides an excellent example of how to properly engineer a safe and effective control system, as they routinely build in redundancy of mission critical system components to improve reliability and will also use different methods of measurement to improve overall accuracy.
Authors and Affiliations
Leon DeJournett, Jeremy DeJournett
Keywords
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- EP ID EP300651
- DOI 10.21767/2471-8505.100076
- Views 59
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