Blloom is a discreet, insulated self-injection device designed to ease the physical and emotional burden of infertility treatment. Infertility affects 1 in 6 people globally (World Health Organization, 2023), and South Korea, with a fertility rate of just 1.08, faces unique challenges for couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) (Reuters, 2025; Macrotrends, 2024). Blloom, developed by Seoyeon Kim, Junhyung Kim, Yoonjung Jang, Sungbeen Lee, and Heejin Kim from South Korea—and a finalist in the 2025 James Dyson Award—is poised to revolutionize this experience. It simplifies self-injections through intuitive design, built-in temperature control, and emotional sensitivity, empowering patients to maintain comfort and confidence during their fertility journey.
What Blloom Does
Blloom simplifies daily self-injections, even for first-time users, with one-handed operation. Its built-in insulation maintains medication at 2–8°C for up to six hours, eliminating the need for bulky coolers. The device’s soft curves and hidden needle minimize discomfort and enable discreet use in public, helping patients continue their daily routines without interruption.
Inspiration Behind Blloom
South Korea’s declining birth rate and the burdens of IVF treatment inspired Blloom. IVF patients often require up to three daily self-injections for more than a month, making mobility and public administration challenging. Traditional syringes expose the skin, require both hands, and rely on separate coolers for medication, disrupting daily life and causing emotional stress. It addresses these issues by combining ergonomic design, discreet administration, and insulated storage, enabling patients to manage treatment with confidence.
How Blloom Works
Blloom’s mechanism includes:
- Modular cartridge system: The fixed internal plunger allows multiple pre-filled cartridges to be inserted quickly, reducing preparation time and medical waste.
- Semi-circular cam mechanism: Needle insertion occurs from 0°–90°, followed by medication delivery from 90°–270°, ensuring a consistent angle and depth for safe injections.
- Temperature control: A 2 mm vacuum wall and phase-changing material (PCM) maintain medication at 2–8°C. Thermochromic markings indicate temperature, keeping drugs safe.
- User-friendly design: Lightweight, ergonomic, and suitable for one-handed use, it allows patients to inject discreetly under clothing without stress.
Design Process
The Blloom team conducted interviews with IVF patients, observed daily injection routines, and identified key challenges, including portability, safety, and temperature management. Using 3D-printed prototypes, they iteratively refined the device, simulating real-world scenarios to ensure insulation, comfort, and usability. Feedback from patients and healthcare providers guided improvements, resulting in a device optimized for emotional and physical support during treatment.
What Sets Blloom Apart
| Feature | Traditional Syringe | Blloom Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Needle Insertion | Requires manual angle control | Semi-circular cam ensures consistent depth and angle |
| Temperature Control | Requires external cooler | Built-in insulation with PCM maintains 2–8°C |
| Portability | Bulky, requires separate storage | Compact, lightweight, supports up to 3 cartridges |
| Discreet Use | Exposes skin, both hands needed | Hidden needle, one-hand operation, can inject in public |
| Emotional Stress | High anxiety | Reduced stress, ergonomic design, safe and quiet operation |
Blloom reduces emotional and physical burdens while supporting adherence to IVF protocols, unlike traditional syringes or bulky coolers.
Future Plans
The team plans to conduct real-world usability testing, optimize tactile feedback for successful injections, and enhance cold-storage for extreme conditions. Collaborations with pharmaceutical companies will ensure drug compatibility, and IRB-approved trials will validate user safety and comfort. Commercialization will follow KFDA requirements, targeting broader IVF patient support.
Call to Action
Blloom demonstrates how user-centered medical devices can improve quality of life during infertility treatment. Patients, healthcare providers, and investors should consider innovations like Blloom to make reproductive health care more accessible, safer, and discreet.
References
- Macrotrends. (2024). South Korea Fertility Rate (1950–2025). Retrieved from https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/kor/south-korea/fertility-rate
- James Dyson Award. (2025). Blloom – A discreet and insulated fertility injection device. Retrieved from https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/2025/project/blloom
- Reuters. (2025, February 26). South Korea’s policy push springs to life as world’s lowest birthrate rises. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-policy-push-springs-life-worlds-lowest-birthrate-rises-2025-02-26/
- World Health Organization. (2023, April 4). 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility
Photo and project details courtesy of the James Dyson Award (2025) official project page.