SmartDose: Enabling independent insulin delivery for adults with type 2 diabetes, supported by RIEm

Provide Community, an employee-owned Community Interest Company delivering healthcare and digital solutions across England, identified a growing challenge in supporting older and housebound adults with type 2 diabetes. Many patients rely on daily nurse visits to administer insulin due to dexterity, mobility, or sensory challenges that make conventional insulin pens difficult to use safely.

With around 50 patients in one local authority area alone requiring 80 insulin visits each day, the demand places significant strain on community nursing teams. Provide Community’s Innovation Programme sought a sustainable, patient-centred solution that could enhance independence, reduce healthcare pressures and support NHS sustainability goals.

Through Brunel University London’s RIEm (Research, Innovate and Emerge) programme, Provide partnered with Dr. Dr Abdusselam Selami Cifter, Senior Lecturer in Engineering, to develop an innovative insulin delivery device known as SmartDose.

SmartDose is an inclusive, pre-set insulin delivery system designed for people with limited dexterity or visual impairments. The device delivers a single, accurate insulin dose at the press of a button, eliminating the need for manual dose setting and reducing the risk of errors. Its design includes a limiter and feedback mechanism that simplifies use, improves confidence and supports safer self-management.

The concept originated from a frontline nurse, Heather, whose idea for improving insulin delivery inspired collaboration between Provide Community’s innovation team and Brunel’s academic expertise. With Brunel’s support, the project secured university accelerator funding and reached Technology Readiness Level 2 (TRL2) with a 3D-printed prototype. The team is now seeking further investment to progress to TRL4, developing a working model suitable for clinical testing.

The SmartDose project demonstrates the power of academic–industry collaboration in driving healthcare innovation. By enabling safe self-administration or carer-assisted dosing, the device has the potential to transform diabetes care in the community.

Initial modelling suggests that enabling half of the 50 patients currently requiring daily visits to self-administer insulin could release over 94 nursing hours per week, in addition to reducing travel time and associated carbon emissions.

The benefits extend beyond operational efficiency. SmartDose empowers patients to manage their care independently, improving confidence and quality of life, while supporting Provide Community’s broader mission to deliver accessible, sustainable healthcare.

Provide Community and Brunel plan to continue their partnership to advance SmartDose towards clinical readiness and explore opportunities for commercialisation through external funding and investment.

Project partners:
Provide Community • Brunel University London • RIEm Programme

Potential impact:

• 94+ nursing hours released weekly
• Reduced healthcare delivery costs and environmental footprint
• Improved patient autonomy and wellbeing