US scientists and researchers claim they have been able to develop the first smart insulin patch, according to a PNAS review. The patch automatically releases the needed insulin dose according to the needs of the diabetic individual.

A research team of North Carolina University’s Biomedical Engineering team announced that it successfully tested the patch on animal test subjects and is now hoping that, should results prove fruitful, the road for an alternative way to administer insulin will be open.

Researchers claim that the patch will eliminate the common dosage mistakes made by diabetics during insulin administration, which can cause serious complications. The patch is not expected to hit the market for at least three years.

The innovative technique lies in its ability to detect changes in blood sugar and then apply the needed insulin dosage automatically. The square patch, whose size is as big as a coin, has over 100 tiny needles on its underside which is placed against the skin. Each micro-needle has tiny storage spaces for insulin and enzymes which record the patient’s blood sugar levels.

Trials on lab rats with diabetes showed that blood sugar levels were returned to normal levels within 30 minutes and remained stable for up to nine hours. On the contrary, lab rats without the patch needed insulin much earlier.

Researchers hope to make the mechanism even better in order to make it take the patient’s weight and insulin resistance into account. It should be noted that worldwide, people living with diabetes reach 387 million, while they are expected to reach 592 million by 2035.