Introduction

Diabetes, which is characterised by raised blood glucose levels (BGLs) in an individual, affects an estimated 246 million people, rising to 276 million in the next four years, making it one of the major chronic conditions prevailing today.  

Expert short-term management through good glucose control, is essential to delay or even prevent serious complications such as blindness, amputations, heart disease and kidney failure developing in the long term, due to consistently high BGLs.

Diabetes technology is showcased in this evening symposium, which is organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Europe’s largest society for professional engineers. The general aim of the Symposium is to highlight the impact which advanced engineering and technology has had, and is continuing to have, in improving the short and long-term therapy and prognosis for millions of people with diabetes.

Objectives:

• To briefly review the medical condition of diabetes (mellitus), the different types, and the serious short and long-term complications which can occur through poor management.
• To investigate the significant engineering and technological challenges which good diabetes management has created.
• To review the major technologies and associated products which have been responsible for improving diabetes therapy, including electronic BGL meters, insulin delivery systems including “pens” and insulin pumps, retinal scanning/imaging procedures, and software advice packages.
• To make the public aware of the significant improvements in diabetes care through advances in engineering and technology.
• To speculate on how engineering and technological research directions will impact on future improvements in diabetes therapy.

Benefits of attending

• Hear from leading speakers from the commercial, clinical, healthcare and academic sectors on the role of technology in diabetes healthcare today.
• Be aware of recent and future developments in diabetes healthcare technology and engineering.
• Network with colleagues, professionals, and people with diabetes.
• Identify new initiatives and directions for future diabetes healthcare products.