The 'Lug Nuts' invent Epi-Watch, aims to be more convenient than EpiPen

MESA, AZ - A group of young Valley kids are working on an invention that may help save lives.

The ‘Lug Nuts,’ a group of six 9-12 year-olds in Mesa have a pending patent on the Epi-Watch, a device that aims to be more convenient than the EpiPen. The EpiPen is used to inject epinephrine into a person’s thigh when they are having an allergic reaction.

“I'm allergic to peanuts, so I have to carry one of these around with me,” said Evin Harris, a 12-year-old member of the Lug Nuts. He and his friends stumbled across the idea when they had to come up with an invention for a school project.

“It's great,” said Evin’s mother, Daja Harris. “I told [him], it's one good thing that's come out of his allergies. He's been able to take something that has been really hard for him and make something positive out of it.”

The Epi-Watch delivers epinephrine in the same way as the EpiPen, using a needle to inject the drug. However, Daja cited the convenience of carrying it in your watch as a major reason for the idea.

“Evin wears his watch wherever he goes,” Daja said. “This (EpiPen), he puts down and loses it. He always forgets to take it.”

The group has been working on the Epi-Watch since last year.

“It's a big thought, big idea and if it gets out there, it's going to be really, really cool,” said Brigham Blackhurst, another member of the Lug Nuts.

The Lug Nuts recently entered their idea into a competition .

“We will actually get money to file a full patent and get it started if we win this contest,” Evin said.