Congratulations to CQU Nursing graduate Glen Riverstone who last night (Wednesday Nov 28) won the People's Choice category of the New Inventors Grand Final on ABC TV for his SNAPIT device, designed to enhance safety in hospitals.

As part of his prize, the young inventor won a trip to Hong Kong next month to visit the Innovation Design and Technology Expo.

There's more details at the ABC website:

Snapit Ampoule Opener invented by Glen Riverstone

Glen Riverstone with Dr Lorna Moxham from CQU

Earlier this year, Mr Riverstone was recognised as one of Queensland's top innovators, gaining $85,000 to help develop his invention.

Mr Riverstone's newly-formed company River Logic was among 5 recipients in the February round of grants under the Queensland Government Innovation Start-Up Scheme.

The `SNAPIT' device, which is now patented, fits over the tops of ampoules and replaces the use of fingers breaking the tops. The broken lids are secured in the device until safely ejected into a sharps bin and the device re-used.

Mr Riverstone was inspired to invent SNAPIT after cutting his fingers multiple times.

He reasoned ‘something needs to change - there must be a safe way to open glass ampoules'.

He credits his university study in Rockhampton for teaching him to think innovatively using a problem-solving framework and not to accept things on the basis that they have always been done that way.

Opening ampoules is a recognised safety hazard in the industry. Medical staff can have adverse reactions if exposed to substances in ampoules - adrenalin and nuclear medicine being 2 examples.

The device is designed to be re-usable, saving hospitals the ongoing expense of disposable options currently on the market but unpopular in the workplace.

Mr Riverstone has recently moved to Brisbane where he works as an emergency nurse. His product is marketed through Brisbane-based company Qlick-Smart and he claims royalties.

Details via: glen@snapit.com.au .