Easy Read Vial Grippers with Shock Absorbers
Problem: Medication dispensing errors and the potential for leaks caused by unsecured vials inside cart drawers.
Solution: Inspired by feedback from our customers, these silicone grippers hold vials at an angle and keep labels visible so there is less chance for drug name confusion. Grippers with shock absorbers organize vials lying flat and minimize the possibility of leaks or breaks that require additional cost to clean. Multiple colors make it easy to distinguish critical meds and further reduce the risk for error.
Design Notes: A member of our team was initially looking for a way to send vials through pneumatic tubes without breaking. Designs went through several iterations. About the same time, another team member was collaborating with a University in Michigan representative to develop a solution to better organize and prevent vial breakage in carts.
Both ideas fizzled.
When asked for an update by HCL® Owner Gary Sharpe, the team admitted defeat. Then Developer Brian Dutro pitched his idea to address both concerns. Sharpe was intrigued by the idea for vial grippers and stands and gave Dutro the green light.
Initially, grippers were produced in-house. Molds to make the parts were designed and our Metals department machined them. It was a highly manual (and messy) process. The silicone material had 2 ingredients that – when mixed – were inserted into the mold. If the grippers had a particular color, that had to be added as well.
The filled molds were placed in a pressure chamber to minimize bubbles in the product. The process took about a half hour, then the product could be taken out of the molds. A small “guillotine” was made and used to help cut off any excess material.
We quickly outgrew the mostly manual in-house process and sent it to a company that specialized in liquid silicone rubber (LSR).
“The most gratifying part of the story is a little pharmacy in Salt Lake bought 1 pack,” Dutro said. “Next week, they bought 10 and then 100. They truly understood what that simple device could do for them!”
Patents 9,622,941; 9,907,727; 10,342,736