Heating instrument for treating a deformed nail
First Claim
1. An instrument for treating a deformed nail having a nail bed on a human patient, said instrument comprising:
- a first jaw;
a thermally insulating portion on said first jaw;
an electrical heating element mounted on said thermally insulating portion, whereby heating is confined to the region of said heating element, said electrical heating element having a low thermal mass, such that it is operative to heat up and cool down rapidly;
a second jaw cooperable with said first jaw;
means for opening and closing said first and second jaws;
said first and second jaws cooperating to clamp therebetween a portion of said nail, with said electrical heating element in direct thermal contact with a face of said nail, to thereby apply sufficient heat to said nail to facilitate bending thereof; and
a thermal protection portion on one of said jaws, said thermal protection portion protecting said nail bed from temperatures prevailing at said electrical heating element, so that the patient is not subjected to discomfort by burning.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Pliers are disclosed for the treatment of ingrowing nails on the human body. The pliers comprise first and second jaws. The upper jaw has a support member on which there is mounted an electrical heating wire. A slot in the lower jaw is adapted to receive the support member and wire.
In use, the pliers grip are ingrowing toe nail, and an electric heating current is applied to the wire, to cause local heating of the nail. The nail thus softens, and can be bent back into better shape, which shape is retained upon subsequent cooling of the nail. The lower jaw is of a relatively great heat mass, so as to ensure that no undue heating of the nail plate occurs. Control circuitry is provided for controlling the heating current through the heating wire, optionally in dependence upon a detected temperature.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An instrument for treating a deformed nail having a nail bed on a human patient, said instrument comprising:
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a first jaw; a thermally insulating portion on said first jaw; an electrical heating element mounted on said thermally insulating portion, whereby heating is confined to the region of said heating element, said electrical heating element having a low thermal mass, such that it is operative to heat up and cool down rapidly; a second jaw cooperable with said first jaw; means for opening and closing said first and second jaws; said first and second jaws cooperating to clamp therebetween a portion of said nail, with said electrical heating element in direct thermal contact with a face of said nail, to thereby apply sufficient heat to said nail to facilitate bending thereof; and a thermal protection portion on one of said jaws, said thermal protection portion protecting said nail bed from temperatures prevailing at said electrical heating element, so that the patient is not subjected to discomfort by burning. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification