5. Polymers sensitive to other stimuli

5.1 Glucose-sensitive polymers

Glucose-sensitive polymer systems for the controlled release of insulin have received a great deal of attention due to the enormous biomedical market potential they represent. When the concentration of glucose in the blood becomes elevated as a result of poor metabolic control by the hormone insulin, a patient suffering from diabetes mellitus usually requires a supply of insulin administered by periodic injections. However, blood glucose levels cannot be maintained within the normal range by this treatment. In contrast, a glucose-sensitive hydrogel system can release insulin in a self-regulating manner in response to blood glucose concentration, enabling insulin concentration to be controlled within a normal range.

One method of...