Recent results on glucose-insulin predictions by means of a state observer for time-delay systems

To achieve accurate and affordable predictions of glucose and insulin plasma concentrations is of paramount importance, especially in the field of the artificial pancreas, where real-time measurements could be properly exploited in model-based glucose control algorithms. This note focuses on a recently developed research line that makes use of a state observer to estimate insulin in real-time from glucose measurements, since it is known that insulin measurements are slower and more cumbersome to obtain, more expensive and also less accurate. Based on these predictions, glucose control algorithms can be designed and can be exploited for both intravenous and subcutaneous insulin infusions. The safety, robustness, and efficacy of the observer-based control algorithms have been validated on a population of rather heterogenous virtual patients, modeled by a different, comprehensive model of the glucose–insulin system, recently accepted by the Food and Drug Administration as a substitute of animal trials.