Implantable Device Being Tested That May Save Diabetes Patients From Dangerously Low Blood Sugar

A Tiny Implant Could Be a Game-Changer for People with Type 1 Diabetes

Imagine if your body could call for help the moment your blood sugar starts to drop dangerously low—without you lifting a finger. That’s exactly what a team of MIT engineers is working on.

For anyone living with Type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) isn’t just inconvenient—it’s scary, and sometimes life-threatening. Typically, people carry an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that tells the liver to release sugar into the blood. But recognizing you're heading into a hypoglycemic episode isn’t always easy—especially for kids, or when you're asleep. That’s where this new invention comes in.

Meet the Tiny Glucagon Reservoir

Researchers at MIT have created a small, implantable device (about the size of a quarter) that sits just under the skin, loaded with powdered glucagon. If blood sugar crashes, the device can release the lifesaving hormone—either triggered remotely or potentially even automatically, thanks to a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

It’s like having a tiny EMT under your skin.

MIT chemical engineering professor Daniel Anderson, the study’s senior author, puts it simply: “Our goal was to build a device that is always ready to protect patients from low blood sugar.”

How It Works

This isn’t your average wearable. Inside the implant is a 3D-printed drug reservoir sealed with a smart material called a shape-memory alloy. When heated (to about 104°F or 40°C), this alloy changes shape and opens the reservoir, releasing the powdered drug. A tiny antenna inside the device allows it to be activated wirelessly by a glucose monitor or manually via a remote.

Because glucagon in liquid form breaks down quickly, the team used a stable powdered version that stays effective longer while stored in the body. Each implant can carry one to four doses—plenty for peace of mind between replacements.

Tested in Mice, Heading Toward Humans

In tests with diabetic mice, the device successfully delivered glucagon when blood sugar dropped. Within 10 minutes, glucose levels stabilized. The team also experimented with epinephrine (used in allergic reactions and cardiac emergencies), showing the device could work for more than just diabetes.

So far, the implant has lasted up to four weeks in animals, but researchers hope to extend that to a year or more. Even better? It still worked even after scar tissue formed around it, which is a common hurdle for implanted devices.

Why This Matters

This innovation could be a lifesaver for kids, people who experience hypoglycemia unawareness, and anyone who lives with the daily anxiety of blood sugar crashes—especially during sleep. It’s also another step toward making smart, automated medicine a reality.

The MIT team hopes to begin human clinical trials within three years. As researcher Siddharth Krishnan says, “One of the key features of this digital drug delivery system is that you can have it talk to sensors.” In other words, we’re getting closer to a world where your body, your tech, and your medication can communicate in real time.

It’s a future where diabetes management becomes not only safer, but a whole lot smarter.