Application of optimal control theory to diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The metabolic control of hospitalized diabetic subjects is critical. It may involve the infusion of the hormone insulin so that plasma glucose levels return to (and stay at) some desired value. Unfortunately, such control is often on a trial and error basis. The use of such methods of mathematical modelling and optimal control theory as grid search techniques and discrete segment approaches to derive closed-loop insulin infusion algorithms for the metabolic control of hospitalized, non-insulin producing subjects is described.