Colton man hits his niche with invention

Clamp keeps vials steady while withdrawing medicine using syringe

By Jill Callison jcalliso@argusleader.com

Published: September 18, 2007

COLTON - Several years ago, Lance Glammeier watched as his physician inadvertently squirted Novocain into his own eye while preparing an injection.

Such accidents happen, the medical doctor told Glammeier, more often than people knew.

Glammeier never forgot the incident.

About 15 months ago, after researching how often needle-stick injuries happen, he decided to invent a way to prevent such occurrences.

That is how the Glamme Clamp came about.

Today, Glammeier has made arrangements with two companies in South Dakota to produce the Glamme Clamp, which provides a safe, secure way to insert needles into bottles of medication such as insulin.

Next month, he will attend an American Diabetes Association convention in the Twin Cities and begin marketing the device in earnest.

And he's doing all this despite a serious heart condition.

Glammeier works out of his rural Colton home. He has received a patent on his system, which uses steel and aluminum tubes and a red oak base to reduce needle sticks in the health-services industry.

During his research, Glammeier learned that 300 people die from needle sticks each year. They also cost $3 billion to $5 billion a year in insurance costs, testing and treatment.

Neither Glammeier nor his wife, Terri, have an ailment that requires frequent injections. But Glammeier has battled ill health since a serious car accident several years ago.

He also has a heart condition that can't be repaired. He turns 49 later this month; Glammeier's goal is to reach 50.

But first, he wants to help others.

That's why he created the Glamme Clamp. He has been in contact with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Food and Drug Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about his product.

Glammeier also has had people test it. It is in use at his doctor's office, and it is available to the public at Family Drug at 423 S. Minnesota Ave., Sioux Falls.

Its list price is $169.95.

"It stabilizes the bottle when you put it in the device," pharmacist Lyle Boes said.

Boes has offered the Glamme Clamp for several weeks. The only hesitancy people have about buying it is that it's not covered by insurance.

Glammeier hopes some day that changes. He is taking 200 clamps to the Twin Cities convention and hopes to sell out.

He also will promote the clamp to others, such as veterinarians, farmers and ranchers. Glammeier has produced a model that can be attached to fence posts, when large animals are being inoculated.

Glammeier recently took third place in a statewide competition for new inventions.

Reach reporter Jill Callison at 331-2307.