About

We present in this work a clinically validated cloud-based distributed platform called Ulna that supports the development and comprehensive testing of single and dual-hormone algorithms for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

The platform is built on principles of object-oriented design and runs user algorithms in real-time virtual clinical trials utilizing a multi-threaded environment enabled by concurrent execution over a cloud infrastructure. The platform architecture isolates user algorithms located on personal machines from proprietary patient data running on the cloud. Users import a plugin into their algorithms (Matlab, Python, or Java) to connect to the platform. Once connected, users interact with a graphical interface to design experimental protocols for their trials. Protocols include trial duration in days, mealtimes and amounts, variability in mealtimes and amounts, carbohydrate counting errors, snacks, and onboard insulin levels.

The platform facilitates development by solving the ODE model in the cloud on large CPU-optimized machines, providing a 62% improvement in memory, speed and CPU utilization. Users can easily debug & modify code, test multiple strategies, and generate detailed clinical performance reports. We validated and integrated into the platform a glucoregulatory system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) parameterized with clinical data to mimic the inter and intra-day variability of glucose responses of 15 T1DM patients.

The platform utilizes the validated patient model to conduct virtual clinical trials for the rapid development and testing of closed-loop algorithms for T1DM.


Citation

When citing this tool in any scientific publication please refer to it as:

Smaoui MR, Rabasa-Lhoret R, Haidar A. Development platform for artificial pancreas algorithms. PLoS One. 2020 Dec 17;15(12):e0243139. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243139. PMID: 33332411; PMCID: PMC7746189.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243139

Project information

  • Category Comp. Medicine
  • Principal Investigator Dr. Mohamed Smaoui
  • Impact Type Journal Publication
  • Project URL Github Repo
  • Download Ulna

Software In Action

Take a closer look at our software! Download Ulna to start your journey into creating algorithms for Type 1 Diabetes patients.

Matlab Plugin

T1DM closed-loop algorithm written in Matlab code

Java Plugin

T1DM closed-loop algorithm written in Java code

Login Interface

Desktop login interface for Windows and MacOS

Performance

Expected clinical outcomes of a 24-hour CSII treatment emulating the CSII

Virtual Patients

Launching a virtual clinical trial

Welcome Screen

Launching virtual clinical trial

Patient-13

Response graph during CSII treatment

Patient-13

Response graph during single-hormone treatment

Patient-13

Response graph during dual-hormone treatment

Integration

Client algorithm integration into the simulation environment

Infrastructure

Development Platform Infrastructure

Clinical Outcomes

Algorithm Performance Report assessing the expected clinical outcomes