Auto-regulated osmotic pump for insulin therapy by sensing glucose concentration without energy supply

We designed an osmotic pump, using a semipermeable membrane which changes its volume according to the concentration of an outside solution. No energy supply or regulation system are required. This pump directly converts chemical potential to mechanical action without an intermediary like an electrical apparatus, called a mechanochemical actuator. This mechanism was applied to an insulin pump that works by changing the glucose concentration. We demonstrated that this pump may possibly be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus patients.