Bulsai Health: Pioneering Precision in Self-Administered Injections
For years, inconsistent self-injections, especially of insulin for diabetes, have plagued millions. Bulsai Health, born from personal experience, is poised to revolutionize this with a novel near-infrared (NIR) technology. Pivoting from an earlier ultrasound approach, the StartUp Health community member’s groundbreaking innovation promises to consistently guide injections and infusions by pump to healthy tissue, eventually expanding beyond diabetes to potentially transform how individuals manage a wide range of self-administered medications globally.
By Nicole Kinsey
The Personal Spark and the Launch Vision
If you look at diabetes worldwide, about 60 million people take insulin daily, in one way or another. Many—especially in underdeveloped nations—are using insulin pens or syringes, with four or five injections every single day.
Repeated injections in the same area cause a buildup of fat with fibrosis and scar tissue, known as lipohypertrophy (LH). This can occur over months or a few years. We know that, over time, injecting insulin into LH reduces absorption efficiency and makes it much more variable. This can cause higher, unstable blood glucose levels that are extremely frustrating and dangerous to patients and increases healthcare costs due to greater insulin dosing.
Bill Ervin, a seasoned veteran of the Type 1 diabetes journey, knew firsthand the frustrating inconsistencies of daily injections. For years, like millions around the globe, he navigated the uncertainty of whether his life-sustaining insulin was truly being absorbed. "Oh well, gosh, I put it in a bad spot," he’d often think, a shrug masking the real issue: injecting into LH, that unseen battlefield beneath the skin that hinders insulin uptake.
This personal struggle ignited a spark—the genesis of Bulsai Health. The initial vision, explored in an earlier Health Transformer story, relied on the power of portable ultrasound to guide insulin delivery. It was a promising concept, yet, as Ervin and his team delved deeper, practical realities emerged. The need for conductive gel, the somewhat cumbersome process, and high cost didn’t quite align with the seamless, everyday solution he envisioned.
A Strategic Pivot and a Universe of Potential
Then came a pivotal moment, about fifteen months ago—a strategic recalibration. The ultrasound path, while innovative, presented hurdles in terms of cost and user experience. Ervin envisioned someone in a restaurant needing a pre-meal injection, and the thought of a messy gel application felt far from ideal. A new direction beckoned: the potential of infrared technology.
The shift to infrared felt like a step in the right direction—more cost-effective, with no need for gels. But the journey wasn’t without its twists. Initial explorations revealed limitations, prompting a crucial breakthrough. In November 2024, a true "eureka" moment occurred. Ervin’s cousin, Jim Ervin, a PhD in mechanical engineering, conceived a novel, unprecedented method of utilizing infrared. And this transition held the key to unlocking a far broader range of applications.
This wasn’t just an incremental improvement; it was a potential game-changer. Suddenly, the applications stretched far beyond insulin. The ability to precisely identify healthy tissue for injection held promise for individuals managing GLP-1 medications, grappling with allergies requiring regular shots, those undergoing HIV treatment, and even those navigating the complexities of fertility injections. The market opportunity wasn’t just significant; it was vast—touching the lives of anyone who self-administers medication.
Validation and Progress: Prototype, Trials, and Partnerships
To validate this groundbreaking approach, Bulsai partnered with the biomedical engineering department at the University of Michigan. Five senior students took on the challenge as their capstone project, putting Bulsai’s patent claims to the test. This month, the results were in: resounding success. They demonstrated the novel technology’s ability to pinpoint lipohypertrophy using Bill Ervin as the test patient. The proof of concept was able to differentiate LH from healthy tissue, bolstering confidence in Bulsai’s innovation.
Now, the focus sharpens on the next phase: building a full-scale proof of concept and initiating clinical testing. The dream is becoming tangible. Ervin envisions a future where the act of self-injection is no longer a shot in the dark but a precise, confident action guided by Bulsai’s technology.
The journey hasn't been solitary. Ervin credits the StartUp Health ecosystem for providing invaluable networking, access to industry insights, and crucial accountability. Connecting with fellow Health Transformers, many of whom are also patient innovators, has been particularly impactful, “Everyone at StartUp Health is genuinely interested in our success. I can't even imagine where I would be, if I hadn't joined eighteen months ago.”
A Vision for the Future: Precision and Empowerment
Looking ahead, Bulsai is laser-focused on four key pillars: robust intellectual property, a refined prototype, FDA approval, and a clear path to reimbursement. Within the next year, they aim to solidify these foundations, paving the way for a Series A funding round or strategic partnerships with major players who recognize the profound impact of their technology.
Ervin’s vision is clear: to empower individuals to take control of their self-administered medications, ensuring efficacy and improving their quality of life. He dreams of a world where the uncertainty of injection sites is a thing of the past—a future where Bulsai’s "bullseye" guides each injection to the optimal spot every time. As he passionately states, "If you can't deliver insulin into the body successfully, everything else falls apart." Bulsai Health is determined to ensure that critical first step is no longer a gamble.
Connect with Bulsai Health via email
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Published: Jul 7, 2025
