nido

What it does

It’s not the needle that hurts. It’s the hassle. People with T1D inject themselves 3 to 5 times a day, fumbling with caps, tabs and used needles. nido grips, stores, and discards needles of any size with one hand, making injections simple and hygienic.

Your inspiration

When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2022, I was suddenly responsible for managing multiple injections every day. I was disappointed in how little thought had gone into the daily act of injecting, which is essential to my survival. Unable to find a practical pouch of the right size, I wound up carrying my supplies in a spectacle case, but it felt clumsy and impractical. After talking to my peers, who also use their own makeshift carry-on solutions, I realised there had to be a better way. nido was born from the desire to simplify our routine, reduce the chaos, and make this part of care management more intuitive and considered.

How it works

Loose needle parts, pricking hazards, and unclear disposal make insulin injections especially stressful in cramped or unhygienic spaces. By squeezing nido’s clamp-like body, users can insert or remove needle capsules with one hand, safely organising used and new needles while freeing the other to hold the insulin pen. Inside, angled compartments and teeth grips adapt to any needle capsule size, storing them securely. A tapered slot at the front of the case helps users to safely remove the protective needle cap without dropping the needle or pricking their fingers. Used parts, including loose paper tabs that often end up misplaced, can be contained and ejected in a single motion. A flexible live hinge allows the lid to rotate freely, staying clear when ejecting needles upside down and aligns flush when closed. It is held in place by magnets to prevent accidental openings. Every element is designed to restore control, comfort, and hygiene to a chaotic daily task.

Design process

I initially thought all I needed to do was design a simple pouch. But after conducting user interviews and testing with people who manage Type 1 diabetes daily, I realized their needs went beyond storage, revealing frustrations with cluttered needles, accidental pricks, and unclear disposal. With these insights, I began ideating a compact case operable with one hand. Early prototypes were simple boxes with holes, but testing revealed that different users relied on different brands and sizes of needles, which the design needed to accommodate while still allowing easy loading and ejection. I explored compliant mechanisms and silicone-lined designs to grip them securely, but these became overly complex, difficult to produce, and could not prevent shifting during use. I was certain that holding a needle should not be this difficult. That led to the clamp design: three parts held by a silicone band, simple to print and assemble. Refining the clamp took many rounds of feedback and testing, adjusting angles, proportions, and surfacing to make it intuitive and comfortable to squeeze. Angled compartments reduce jamming, a tapered tunnel removes caps safely, and a hinged, magnetized lid keeps everything contained. nido is shaped for users, by users.

How it is different

Most injection kits treat needle storage as an afterthought, offering soft pouches, plastic sleeves, or repurposed containers that do little to reduce the stress or mess of regular injections. nido was designed from the ground up to serve the entire injection routine, not just carry its parts. Its clamp-inspired form is compact and active: it grips needle capsules of different brands securely, allows one-handed operation, and supports safe disposal of used parts. These features do not exist together in any current solution. Subtle elements—such as angled nesting to prevent jamming, or a rotating lid that clears the workspace—were shaped by rounds of real-world testing with people living with Type 1 diabetes. Unlike current options that require workarounds or complex assembly, nido directs and supports the injection experience, restoring control, comfort, and care to a necessary routine, respecting the work it takes to manage a chronic condition.

Future plans

nido currently holds a provisional patent that protects its unique design and functionality. The next phase focuses on refining the product through extended user testing and pilot trials to further enhance usability and everyday performance. Concurrently, I am exploring scalable manufacturing methods and cost-effective materials for mass production. Discussions with potential licensing and manufacturing partners are underway. The ultimate goal is to launch nido as a trusted, user-centered solution for simplifying insulin management across diverse real-life settings.

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