This allowed us to compare, for example the glycemic trends of children and various populations already on CEA-Leti databases (adults using open-loop and closed-loop systems). This European project has been undertaken in parallel with the work of a laboratory developing an artificial pancreas for adults, which combines CEA-Leti and partners Diabeloop SA (medical device manufacturer) and CERITD (diabetologists and clinical research organization). 

The medical device for adults was CE-marked in autumn 2018 and the children's device could take advantage of previous developments for adults. Most of the bioregulation algorithm is based on the Hovorka model (Hovorka et al. 2002, 2004); its personalization step is of prime importance. We used a Model Predictive Control approach because the model's capacity to understand the patient physiology at any instant was crucial to determining the right insulin dose to be delivered at the right time. On completion of the project in 2019, the prototype was used in clinical trials in France and Belgium. Some 25 children were equipped with the child's artificial pancreas during 6 weeks of everyday life. Child patients, their parents and pediatric diabetologists are very enthusiastic about the results. In May 2019, EITHealth selected Diabeloop SA as a D4Kids project partner to represent EITHealth at the EIT Innovator Awards.