Métier Medical Safe-T-Clip™ + Secure-Lok®: A Safety Mechanism for Hypodermic Needle

Enhancing Safety and Protection for Healthcare Workers

As the healthcare industry recognizes the human and financial costs of needlestick injuries, there is a growing demand for safety engineered injection devices worldwide. Métier Medical, a new company specializing in safety engineered medical devices, aims to meet this demand with innovative and high-quality products.

Through extensive research, Métier Medical identified common flaws in existing safety needles, including issues with product quality, functionality, and overall safety. To address these concerns, the team at Métier Medical set out to design a safety hypodermic needle with unique characteristics that would differentiate it from other products on the market.

The result is the Safe-T-Clip™ safety needle with the Secure-Lok® locking mechanism. This safety needle incorporates a safety cover with two internal locking clips that securely lock over the used hypodermic needle. What sets the Safe-T-Clip™ apart is its additional locking mechanism, featuring unique mushroom-shaped locking heads located at the base of the cover. These locking heads engage with apertures, preventing any possibility of the heads being pulled back. The Secure-Lok® provides a solid locking capability, permanently securing the safety cover over the needle and protecting against both sharps injuries and needle reuse.

The Safe-T-Clip™ safety needle is designed to be easy to use and cost-effective. It attaches to any conventional syringe for injection. After injection, the safety cover is activated by either pushing it over the needle or by activating it on a hard surface. During activation, the internal clips of the cover connect with the needle, locking over it with an audible click. Simultaneously, the Secure-Lok® mechanism engages, forcing the mushroom-shaped heads through the apertures at the base of the needle cover. The result is a needle tightly locked inside a cover that cannot be pulled back.

The Safe-T-Clip™ + Secure-Lok® safety mechanism was developed through a collaborative effort between Métier Medical's US-based Director Larry Minix and a design engineer based in China. The design underwent extensive prototype testing and modifications to ensure its functionality and efficiency.

With its unique design and enhanced safety features, the Safe-T-Clip™ + Secure-Lok® safety mechanism has received positive feedback from healthcare workers. In a research focus group involving 30 healthcare workers, the Safe-T-Clip™ was preferred over a competitor's product, with participants suggesting some design enhancements.

The Safe-T-Clip™ + Secure-Lok® safety mechanism is patented and trademarked, demonstrating Métier Medical's commitment to protecting their innovative design. The design has also been recognized with a Bronze A' Design Award in the Medical Devices and Medical Equipment category, highlighting its outstanding creativity and contribution to improving the quality of life for healthcare workers.

With the Safe-T-Clip™ + Secure-Lok® safety mechanism, Métier Medical and Larry Minix have successfully addressed the need for a high-quality safety needle with solid safety mechanisms. This innovative design provides enhanced protection for healthcare workers, ensuring their safety and reducing the risk of needlestick injuries and needle reuse.