TCB Medical Devices Responds To Allergy Epidemic With A Better Epinephrine Product

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Also Included In: Allergy
Article Date: 03 Jul 2010 - 1:00 PDT

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In the last 15 years, allergist Thomas C. Beller, M.D., founder of TCB Medical Devices, has seen a relative allergy epidemic. Seasonal allergies, asthma, eczema and atopic dermatitis have all increased dramatically -- but the most dramatic surge has been in food-, medicine- and insect-related anaphylaxis. Wanting to make it easier for allergy sufferers to keep epinephrine close at hand, Beller developed a better delivery method: the Epinephrine Key.

A small epinephrine auto-injector that easily fits in the palm of one's hand, the Epinephrine Key attaches to any keychain. Just like regular keys, the Epinephrine Key is completely portable and always nearby, making it immediately available for emergency administration of epinephrine in the event of a severe allergic reaction.

"Most epinephrine injectors are bulky, pen-shaped devices that are awkward to carry. Consequently, most patients do not carry them," Beller explained. "The Epinephrine Key goes everywhere your keys go and is more likely to be available for emergency use when the need arises. The size of the device significantly reduces the burden of carrying epinephrine, and the revolutionary concept of carrying the Epinephrine Key on a keychain facilitates access to potentially life-saving epinephrine."

In development for the last six months, the Epinephrine Key is a perfectly functioning prototype. TCB Medical Devices expects fast-track approval through the FDA, meaning the Epinephrine Key could be on the market and available to allergy patients in as little as four months.

For those who have difficulty using pen-shaped auto-injectors, the Epinephrine Key is a perfect alternative. Confusion over the proper use of pen-shaped epinephrine auto-injectors too often results in accidental injections in the thumb. The Epinephrine Key, in contrast, is ergonomically designed to fit in the hand just like a syringe. The user simply removes the cap, presses the safety buttons, and presses the tip of the device against the leg in one smooth motion. Epinephrine is delivered safely and efficiently with little risk of improper injections.

"TCB Medical is pleased to introduce the Epinephrine Key as a real alternative to other epinephrine auto-injectors currently on the market," Beller stated. "We are excited to give allergy sufferers a way to keep epinephrine readily available and administer it more safely."

Source: TCB Medical Devices

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