Continuous glucose monitoring sensors: Past, present and future algorithmic challenges

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors are portable devices that allow measuring and visualizing the glucose concentration in real time almost continuously for several days and are provided with hypo/hyperglycemic alerts and glucose trend information. CGM sensors have revolutionized Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management, improving glucose control when used adjunctively to self-monitoring blood glucose systems. Furthermore, CGM devices have stimulated the development of applications that were impossible to create without a continuous-time glucose signal, e.g., real-time predictive alerts of hypo/hyperglycemic episodes based on the prediction of future glucose concentration, automatic basal insulin attenuation methods for hypoglycemia prevention, and the artificial pancreas. However, CGM sensors’ lack of accuracy and reliability limited their usability in the clinical practice, calling upon the academic community for the development of suitable signal processing methods to improve CGM performance. The aim of this paper is to review the past and present algorithmic challenges of CGM sensors, to show how they have been tackled by our research group, and to identify the possible future ones

Artificial Pancreas System With Unannounced Meals Based on a Disturbance Observer and Feedforward Compensation

© 2021 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permissíon from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertisíng or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.[EN] This brief is focused on the closed-loop control of postprandial glucose levels of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus after unannounced meals, which is still a major challenge toward a fully autonomous artificial pancreas. The main limitations are the delays introduced by the subcutaneous insulin pharmacokinetics and the glucose sensor, which typically leads to insulin overdelivery. Current solutions reported in the literature typically resort to meal announcement, which requires patient intervention. In this brief, a disturbance observer (DOB) is used to estimate the effect of unannounced meals, and the insulin pharmacokinetics is taken into account by means of a feedforward compensator. The proposed strategy is validated in silico with the UVa/Padova metabolic simulator. It is demonstrated how the DOB successfully estimates and counteracts not only the effect of meals but also the sudden drops in the glucose levels that may lead to hypoglycemia. For unannounced meals, results show a median time-in-range of 80% in a 30-day scenario with high carbohydrate content and large intrasubject variability. Optionally, users may decide to announce meals. In this case, considering severe bolus mismatch due to carbohydrate counting errors, the median time-in-range is increased up to 88%. In every case, hypoglycemia is avoided.This work was supported in part by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad under Grant DPI2016-78831-C2-1-R and in part by the European Union through FEDER Funds.Sanz Diaz, R.; García Gil, PJ.; Diez, J.; Bondía Company, J. (2021). Artificial Pancreas System With Unannounced Meals Based on a Disturbance Observer and Feedforward Compensation. IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology. 29(1):454-460. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCST.2020.2975147S45446029

Integrating Multiple Inputs Into an Artificial Pancreas System: Narrative Literature Review

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which a deficiency in insulin production impairs the glucose homeostasis of the body. Continuous subcutaneous infusion of insulin is a commonly used treatment method. Artificial pancreas systems (APS) use continuous glucose level monitoring and continuous subcutaneous infusion of insulin in a closed-loop mode incorporating a controller (or control algorithm). However, the operation of APS is challenging because of complexities arising during meals, exercise, stress, sleep, illnesses, glucose sensing and insulin action delays, and the cognitive burden. To overcome these challenges, options to augment APS through integration of additional inputs, creating multi-input APS (MAPS), are being investigated. Objective: The aim of this survey is to identify and analyze input data, control architectures, and validation methods of MAPS to better understand the complexities and current state of such systems. This is expected to be valuable in developing improved systems to enhance the quality of life of people with T1D. Methods: A literature survey was conducted using the Scopus, PubMed, and IEEE Xplore databases for the period January 1, 2005, to February 10, 2020. On the basis of the search criteria, 1092 articles were initially shortlisted, of which 11 (1.01%) were selected for an in-depth narrative analysis. In addition, 6 clinical studies associated with the selected studies were also analyzed. Results: Signals such as heart rate, accelerometer readings, energy expenditure, and galvanic skin response captured by wearable devices were the most frequently used additional inputs. The use of invasive (blood or other body fluid analytes) inputs such as lactate and adrenaline were also simulated. These inputs were incorporated to switch the mode of the controller through activity detection, directly incorporated for decision-making and for the development of intermediate modules for the controller. The validation of the MAPS was carried out through the use of simulators based on different physiological models and clinical trials. Conclusions: The integration of additional physiological signals with continuous glucose level monitoring has the potential to optimize glucose control in people with T1D through addressing the identified limitations of APS. Most of the identified additional inputs are related to wearable devices. The rapid growth in wearable technologies can be seen as a key motivator regarding MAPS.</p

A hybrid automata approach for monitoring the patient in the loop in artificial pancreas systems

The use of automated insulin delivery systems has become a reality for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), with several hybrid systems already on the market. One of the particularities of this technology is that the patient is in the loop. People with T1D are the plant to control and also a plant operator, because they may have to provide information to the control loop. The most immediate information provided by patients that affects performance and safety are the announcement of meals and exercise. Therefore, to ensure safety and performance, the human factor impact needs to be addressed by designing fault monitoring strategies. In this paper, a monitoring system is developed to diagnose potential patient modes and faults. The monitoring system is based on the residual generation of a bank of observers. To that aim, a linear parameter varying (LPV) polytopic representation of the system is adopted and a bank of Kalman filters is designed using linear matrix inequalities (LMI). The system uncertainty is propagated using a zonotopic-set representation, which allows determining confidence bounds for each of the observer outputs and residuals. For the detection of modes, a hybrid automaton model is generated and diagnosis is performed by interpreting the events and transitions within the automaton. The developed system is tested in simulation, showing the potential benefits of using the proposed approach for artificial pancreas systems.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Control-Oriented Model with Intra-Patient Variations for an Artificial Pancreas

In this work, a low-order model designed for glucose regulation in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is obtained from the UVA/Padova metabolic simulator. It captures not only the nonlinear behavior of the glucose-insulin system, but also intrapatient variations related to daily insulin sensitivity (SI) changes. To overcome the large inter-subject variability, the model can also be personalized based on a priori patient information. The structure is amenable for linear parameter varying (LPV) controller design, and represents the dynamics from the subcutaneous insulin input to the subcutaneous glucose output. The efficacy of this model is evaluated in comparison with a previous control-oriented model which in turn is an improvement of previous models. Both models are compared in terms of their open- and closed-loop differences with respect to the UVA/Padova model. The proposed model outperforms previous T1DM controloriented models, which could potentially lead to more robust and reliable controllers for glycemia regulation.Fil: Moscoso Vásquez, Hilda Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires. Departamento de Matemática. Centro de Sistemas y Control; ArgentinaFil: Colmegna, Patricio Hernán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. University of Virginia; Estados Unidos. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Rosales, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; ArgentinaFil: Garelli, Fabricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Electrónica, Control y Procesamiento de Señales; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez Peña, Ricardo Salvador. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires. Departamento de Matemática. Centro de Sistemas y Control; Argentin

Diabetes Monitoring System

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from CRC Press via the DOI in this recordThis chapter reviews the current technologies for monitoring and intervention of diabetes. Especially various blood glucose concentration estimation, online signal monitoring and adaptive control mechanisms are discussed. Recent research has proposed many control engineering approaches for Type 1 diabetes and many algorithms of artificial pancreas have been proposed. This book chapter reviews the current state of the art and industrial standards on diabetes monitoring and control

STOCHASTIC SEASONAL MODELS FOR GLUCOSE PREDICTION IN TYPE 1 DIABETES

[ES] La diabetes es un importante problema de salud mundial, siendo una de las enfermedades no transmisibles más graves después de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, el cáncer y las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas. La prevalencia de la diabetes ha aumentado constantemente en las últimas décadas, especialmente en países de ingresos bajos y medios. Se estima que 425 millones de personas en todo el mundo tenían diabetes en 2017, y para 2045 este número puede aumentar a 629 millones. Alrededor del 10% de las personas con diabetes padecen diabetes tipo 1, caracterizada por una destrucción autoinmune de las células beta en el páncreas, responsables de la secreción de la hormona insulina. Sin insulina, la glucosa plasmática aumenta a niveles nocivos, provocando complicaciones vasculares a largo plazo. Hasta que se encuentre una cura, el manejo de la diabetes depende de los avances tecnológicos para terapias de reemplazo de insulina. Con la llegada de los monitores continuos de glucosa, la tecnología ha evolucionado hacia sistemas automatizados. Acuñados como "páncreas artificial", los dispositivos de control de glucosa en lazo cerrado suponen hoy en día un cambio de juego en el manejo de la diabetes. La investigación en las últimas décadas ha sido intensa, dando lugar al primer sistema comercial a fines de 2017, y muchos más están siendo desarrollados por las principales industrias de dispositivos médicos. Sin embargo, como dispositivo de primera generación, muchos problemas aún permanecen abiertos y nuevos avances tecnológicos conducirán a mejoras del sistema para obtener mejores resultados de control glucémico y reducir la carga del paciente, mejorando significativamente la calidad de vida de las personas con diabetes tipo 1. En el centro de cualquier sistema de páncreas artificial se encuentra la predicción de glucosa, tema abordado en esta tesis. La capacidad de predecir la glucosa a lo largo de un horizonte de predicción dado, y la estimación de las tendencias futuras de glucosa, es la característica más importante de cualquier sistema de páncreas artificial, para poder tomar medidas preventivas que eviten por completo el riesgo para el paciente. La predicción de glucosa puede aparecer como parte del algoritmo de control en sí, como en sistemas basados en técnicas de control predictivo basado en modelo (MPC), o como parte de un sistema de supervisión para evitar episodios de hipoglucemia. Sin embargo, predecir la glucosa es un problema muy desafiante debido a la gran variabilidad inter e intra-sujeto que sufren los pacientes, cuyas fuentes solo se entienden parcialmente. Esto limita las prestaciones predictivas de los modelos, imponiendo horizontes de predicción relativamente cortos, independientemente de la técnica de modelado utilizada (modelos fisiológicos, basados en datos o híbridos). La hipótesis de partida de esta tesis es que la complejidad de la dinámica de la glucosa requiere la capacidad de caracterizar grupos de comportamientos en los datos históricos del paciente que llevan naturalmente al concepto de modelado local. Además, la similitud de las respuestas en un grupo puede aprovecharse aún más para introducir el concepto clásico de estacionalidad en la predicción de glucosa. Como resultado, los modelos locales estacionales están en el centro de esta tesis. Se utilizan varias bases de datos clínicas que incluyen comidas mixtas y ejercicio para demostrar la viabilidad y superioridad de las prestaciones de este enfoque.[CA] La diabetisés un important problema de salut mundial, sent una de les malalties no transmissibles més greus després de les malalties cardiovasculars, el càncer i les malalties respiratòries cròniques. La prevalença de la diabetis ha augmentat constantment en les últimes dècades, especialment en països d'ingressos baixos i mitjans. S'estima que 425 milions de persones a tot el món tenien diabetis en 2017, i per 2045 aquest nombre pot augmentar a 629 milions. Al voltant del 10% de les persones amb diabetis pateixen diabetis tipus 1, caracteritzada per una destrucció autoimmune de les cèl·lules beta en el pàncrees, responsables de la secreció de l'hormona insulina. Sense insulina, la glucosa plasmàtica augmenta a nivells nocius, provocant complicacions vasculars a llarg termini. Fins que es trobi una cura, el maneig de la diabetis depén dels avenços tecnològics per a teràpies de reemplaçament d'insulina. Amb l'arribada dels monitors continus de glucosa, la tecnologia ha evolucionat cap a sistemes automatitzats. Encunyats com "pàncrees artificial", els dispositius de control de glucosa en llaç tancat suposen avui dia un canvi de joc en el maneig de la diabetis. La investigació en les últimes dècades ha estat intensa, donant lloc al primer sistema comercial a finals de 2017, i molts més estan sent desenvolupats per les principals indústries de dispositius mèdics. No obstant això, com a dispositiu de primera generació, molts problemes encara romanen oberts i nous avenços tecnològics conduiran a millores del sistema per obtenir millors resultats de control glucèmic i reduir la càrrega del pacient, millorant significativament la qualitat de vida de les persones amb diabetis tipus 1. Al centre de qualsevol sistema de pàncrees artificial es troba la predicció de glucosa, tema abordat en aquesta tesi. La capacitat de predir la glucosa al llarg d'un horitzó de predicció donat, i l'estimació de les tendències futures de glucosa, és la característica més important de qualsevol sistema de pàncrees artificial, per poder prendre mesures preventives que evitin completament el risc per el pacient. La predicció de glucosa pot aparèixer com a part de l'algoritme de control en si, com en sistemes basats en técniques de control predictiu basat en model (MPC), o com a part d'un sistema de supervisió per evitar episodis d'hipoglucèmia. No obstant això, predir la glucosa és un problema molt desafiant degut a la gran variabilitat inter i intra-subjecte que pateixen els pacients, les fonts només s'entenen parcialment. Això limita les prestacions predictives dels models, imposant horitzons de predicció relativament curts, independentment de la tècnica de modelatge utilitzada (models fisiològics, basats en dades o híbrids). La hipòtesi de partida d'aquesta tesi és que la complexitat de la dinàmica de la glucosa requereix la capacitat de caracteritzar grups de comportaments en les dades històriques del pacient que porten naturalment al concepte de modelatge local. A més, la similitud de les respostes en un grup pot aprofitar-se encara més per introduir el concepte clàssic d'estacionalitat en la predicció de glucosa. Com a resultat, els models locals estacionals estan al centre d'aquesta tesi. S'utilitzen diverses bases de dades clíniques que inclouen menjars mixtes i exercici per demostrar la viabilitat i superioritat de les prestacions d'aquest enfocament.[EN] Diabetes is a significant global health problem, one of the most serious noncommunicable diseases after cardiovascular diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. Diabetes prevalence has been steadily increasing over the past decades, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is estimated that 425 million people worldwide had diabetes in 2017, and by 2045 this number may rise to 629 million. About 10% of people with diabetes suffer from type 1 diabetes, characterized by autoimmune destruction of the beta-cells in the pancreas, responsible for the secretion of the hormone insulin. Without insulin, plasma glucose rises to deleterious levels, provoking long-term vascular complications. Until a cure is found, the management of diabetes relies on technological developments for insulin replacement therapies. With the advent of continuous glucose monitors, technology has been evolving towards automated systems. Coined as "artificial pancreas", closed-loop glucose control devices are nowadays a game-changer in diabetes management. Research in the last decades has been intense, yielding a first commercial system in late 2017 and many more are in the pipeline of the main medical devices industry. However, as a first-generation device, many issues still remain open and new technological advancements will lead to system improvements for better glycemic control outputs and reduced patient's burden, improving significantly the quality of life of people with type 1 diabetes. At the core of any artificial pancreas system is glucose prediction, the topic addressed in this thesis. The ability to predict glucose along a given prediction horizon, and estimation of future glucose trends, is the most important feature of any artificial pancreas system, in order to be able to take preventive actions to entirely avoid risk to the patient. Glucose prediction can appear as part of the control algorithm itself, such as in systems based on model predictive control (MPC) techniques, or as part of a monitoring system to avoid hypoglycemic episodes. However, predicting glucose is a very challenging problem due to the large inter- and intra-subject variability that patients suffer, whose sources are only partially understood. These limits models forecasting performance, imposing relatively short prediction horizons, despite the modeling technique used (physiological, data-driven or hybrid approaches). The starting hypothesis of this thesis is that the complexity of glucose dynamics requires the ability to characterize clusters of behaviors in the patient's historical data naturally yielding to the concept of local modeling. Besides, the similarity of responses in a cluster can be further exploited to introduce the classical concept of seasonality into glucose prediction. As a result, seasonal local models are at the core of this thesis. Several clinical databases including mixed meals and exercise are used to demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the performance of this approach.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under the FPI grant BES-2014-069253 and projects DPI2013-46982-C2-1-R and DPI2016-78831-C2-1-R. Moreover, with relation to this grant, a short stay was done at the end of 2017 at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, United States of America, under the supervision of Prof. Ali Cinar, for four months from 01/09/2017 to 29/12/2017.Montaser Roushdi Ali, E. (2020). STOCHASTIC SEASONAL MODELS FOR GLUCOSE PREDICTION IN TYPE 1 DIABETES [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/136574TESI

Data-Driven Disturbance Estimation and Control with Application to Blood Glucose Regulation

A data-driven control approach for nonlinear systems is proposed, called data-driven estimation and control (D2EC), which combines a disturbance estimator and a nonlinear control algorithm. The estimator provides a signal representing the unknown disturbances affecting the plant to control. This signal is used by the control algorithm to improve its performance. A real-data study is presented, concerned with the regulation of blood glucose concentration in type 1 diabetic patients. Preliminary tests of the D2EC approach are also carried out using a diabetic patient simulator, obtained from a revised version of the well-known University of Virginia/Padova model. Both the real-data and the simulator-based studies indicate that the proposed approach has the potential to become an effective tool in the context of diabetes treatment and, more in general, in the biomedical field, where accurate first-principle models can seldom be found and relevant disturbances are present