SAN ANTONIO -- KK Patton discovered her diabetes in 2001 while pregnant with her son. The young south central Texas mother was prescribed multiple daily insulin injections to treat the disease, but found she didn't like the repeated skin punctures.

"No one likes needles, five, six a day. It's not fun any way you cut the cake," Patton told KSAT-TV.

She found that she and others would skip meals in order to avoid having to give themselves insulin shots. She said she thought there had to be a better way. When she couldn't find one, she invented one herself.

Seven years later and with the help of family and friends, she patented her invention and has launched it to national exposure.

"It doesn't hurt," she said. "Once you put the i-port on, you don't even know it's there."

The i-port is about the size of a quarter. It creates an injection site that can be used for three days. Patients need a prescription to get the device.

"I literally don't feel it, like a Band-Aid," Patton said while holding up her shirt and revealing the i-port on her stomach. Once on the skin, the i-port makes it easy for a the needle to slide in, cutting down on pain and bruising.

"I'm terrified of needles," said Pat Valdez, a diabetic for 10 years. "I was up to seven doses of insulin a day."

But by using the i-port, Valdez only has to puncture her skin once every three days.

"It's a lifesaver, (it) really has been a life saver," said Valdez.

Valdez's health has improved now that she's not skipping her insulin shots, she said.

"There is no fear of needles, no pain, no bruising," said Valdez.

The i-port is the only product of its kind conceived by a person with diabetes, KSAT reported.

"I think it took somebody being in the shoes of having to take daily injections," said Patton.

She hopes the i-port will help diabetics focus on their lives instead of worrying about the next shot.