MIT researchers have developed an implantable device that encapsulates insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells, protecting them from immune rejection without requiring immunosuppressive drugs. The device includes an on-board oxygen generator powered wirelessly through the skin, which splits water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen to keep the cells alive. In the latest study, the device kept islet cells functional for at least 90 days in rats and mice, producing enough insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar levels — up from one month in a 2023 prototype. The team also tested stem cell-derived islets with partial success. Future goals include extending device lifespan to two years and adapting the platform to deliver other protein therapeutics like antibodies, enzymes, or clotting factors.
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