Virtual therapy using Type 1 Diabetes Direct Simulator

Abstract

Abstract This paper introduces the Type 1 Diabetes Simulator (T1DDS) and presents its potential in virtualization of type 1 diabetes mellitus therapy. The body of a person with type 1 diabetes does not produce insulin and this hormone must be supplied from the outside constantly to avoid death. Moreover, the insulin doses must be correct in order to minimize short- and long-term health complications. The dose determination is challenging due to the high dynamics of the insulin – glucose metabolic system. For the reason computer therapy aided systems have been developed for last decades to help solve the problem. Type 1 Diabetes Direct Simulator (T1DDS) is the author’s original computer program that imitates physiology of a type 1 diabetic. The aim of the simulator is to enable virtual medical interaction with such a patient within the scope of blood glucose level change after a meal intake and insulin administration. The paper illustrates the ideas behind the direct simulator. Describes and argues its model assumptions and explains its implementation. An exemplary application in medical education is presented and discussed as well.