The Epi-Watch.

Once the LugNuts decided to focus on the Epi-Watch, they really started to come up with some good ideas.  Here are the basics of how the watch works:

At first glance, the Epi-Watch looks like any other digital watch.  But as you look closer you notice that the bands are just a little bit thicker than regular watch wands.  That is because this is where the medicine is stored.  There is enough epinephrine is each watch band for 1 shot, so the watch itself can give two shots.  The bands themselves are replaced when the medicine is used or expired.  The back of the watch bands have expiration dates on them so that you know when to get a new band from the pharmacy.    The back of the watch also contains emergency medical information, such as the specific allergy and a contact number.

The Epi-Watch can be used while it is still on the arm or after it has been taken off.  This can be helpful if the person who is having the allergy attack loses consciousness.  To use the Epi-Watch, you have to turn the watch face around about 45 degrees.  Then it will click, the screen will turn green, and a covered needle will pop out the top.  You then and press the screen and push the covered needle down into the outer thigh.  The cover to the needle is pressure sensitive and when you press down on it, it will send the needle through your clothes and into your leg, sending the medicine into your system.  You hold the watch in place for 10 seconds.  Then you lift the watch off your thigh and rub the injections site.

After the shot is administered, the screen will turn red for 10 min.  This is to prevent the watch from dispensing a second dose too soon.  If the first shot was not enough, or if you are pretty far from a hospital, then you can administer the second dose after the screen turns green again.  To do this, you just turn the screen 90 degrees in the other direction to pop out a different needle.  Then you follow the same procedure as the first time.  After the watch has been used, you need to take it to a pharmacy to get new needles put in.

The watch is pretty simple to use, includes several safety precautions and should prove to be very valuable in emergency allergy situations.