Frequently Asked Questions
SEEkeyMD® is a miniature-sized injection molded retainer used to secure and release a device in a thermoformed tray.
It replaces special button-snaps and special one-way retainers. This paradigm shift provides an on-the-shelf system that expedites development speed, standardization, plastic reduction, gives product continuity assurance, and leverages volume to reduce cost.
Once upon a time…After many months of snap button revisions, a customer held a design review to accept or reject them. Some of the attendees said the snap security was too tight, while others thought it was too loose. The project lead declared, “We’re searching for Goldilocks!” and the meeting adjourned with no resolution. I knew there had to be a quantitative way to ensure the security and release of a device when using a tray.
- Aluminum weld is weaker than the parent material, thus they should only be modified from a material safe condition.
- They are designed for only one material thickness.
- They’re time-consuming to modify.
- They’re the most critical geometry to the security of a device, yet they have the highest rate of tool wear.
- Many times they are measured with a subjective attribute test with both the test device and tool obtaining wear.
- They require a +/- .005” tolerance to work, yet most drawings have an +/- .020” tolerance on them.
- They require opposing counter forces, which cause a popping motion when opened, displacing the product.
- Despite an engineering preference for the push release feature, marketing is currently comfortable with “the way it has alway been done.” It loads and releases just like a snap-button.
- Perception – Most compare a snap-button area to the area of a SEEkeyMD®. The space used for a SEEkeyMINI™ is found when laying them on top of a current tray which has snap-buttons. In a nut shell… people want the same footprint as snap-button trays.
- The device capture area, speed-to-market, logistical and plastic reduction is superior to current methods.
SEEkey™ provides a minimum of .005″ base tray gauge reduction. While this amount may seem insignificant, the sustainability impact is considerable. For example: The weight of a 6″ x 10″ x .040″ PETG part is 50 grams. The weight of a 6″ x 10″ x .035″ part is 44 grams. This means FIVE full-size SEEkeys need to be added to the 035″ part to equal the same size part in .040″. For this reason, SEEkeyMD® competes with integral button-snaps and will have a significant saving against a retainer.
Featured Articles
Videos
Qualified Base Tray Suppliers
Qualified rigid tray providers who have demonstrated a +/- .005” material side variation using the SEEkey™ system.
Qualified Plastic Sheet Suppliers
Resin Data
DOW™ HDPE DMDA-8920 HEALTH+™
Technical Highlights
Complies With:
Applications:
Features:
Compatable Sterilizations:
Documentation
Patents
Awards
This packaging innovation provides a new method to obtain cost savings and device security, while improving the nurse experience. After attempting to reduce costs with three traditional packaging methods cost savings were finally achieved with a miniature injection molded retainer (SEEkeyMD®) that becomes integral to the rigid tray. The device security and single push device release is easily recognized, but what isn’t recognized is the 25% plastic reduction the SEEkeyMD® system allows for. This new approach provides vision to the device before opening, eliminates all packaging waste from the sterile field, and eliminates the sterile barrier integrity risks associated with the prior flexible pouch system. This new packaging provides: 35% overall cost savings, 75% assembly time savings, and a 24% hospital shelf-footprint savings.
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