Therapeutic fingernail treatment device

• US 5,795,314 A
• Filed: 06/19/1996
• Issued: 08/18/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Moshe Berenstein
• Original Assignee: Moshe Berenstein
• Inventors: Berenstein, Moshe
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan, Todd E.
• Application Number:
  US08/665,864
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 132/73, 132/73.5, 132/74.5, 132/285, 601/11, 601/166, 601/160, 604/292, 604/293, 604/316, 134/198, 134/200
• US Class Current: 601/166
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/067 Fingers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 35/00 Baths for specific parts of the body electric circuits therefor A61H33/005; specific components therefor A61H33/60

Abstract

A therapeutic fingernail treatment device which injects active ingredients via a specially-designed nozzle, to remedy fingernail fungus infections. In a preferred embodiment, the device is constructed as a spray nozzle which attaches to the fingernail, and which is enclosed in a sleeve sealed around the fingernail. By developing cyclical high and low pressure conditions in the sleeve, active ingredients are injected into the space between the fingernail and the fingertip, to achieve the desired therapeutic effects. Thus, fingernail fungus infections can be treated and eliminated. Advantages of the invention include conservation of the usage of active ingredients by recycling them, contrary to existing techniques. The use of a sealed sleeve eliminates wastage of ingredients. The provision of a contoured spray nozzle insures increased efficiency by providing good contact between the active ingredients and the entire fingernail area. In addition, the pressure developed within the sealed sleeve affords good impregnation of the active ingredients within the affected area. A compact design can be provided, and no special skill is required for device operation.

Claims

1. A device for therapeutic treatment of a fingernail, said device comprising:

means for enclosing the fingernail in sealed fashion; and

nozzle means attached at an end of said enclosing means and facing the fingernail, said nozzle means being connected to a fluid source having means for reversibly pumping said fluid therethrough, and back to said fluid source, in cyclical fashion,

such that said fluid periodically flows under the fingernail, and is withdrawn therefrom, providing therapeutic fingernail treatment.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said enclosing means comprises an elastic sleeve for sealing over the end of a finger by a flexible clamp.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said nozzle means comprises a spray jet having a concave contour facing the fingernail, for providing contact therewith along its length.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said spray jet has perforations formed therein for passage of liquid therethrough.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said nozzle means has valve means for directing said periodic flow of said fluid.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said valve means comprises an opening in each side of said nozzle means, with an interior side of said opening having a spring-loaded, normally closed flap covering said opening, to block or enable fluid flow.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said fluid source comprises a flexible hand pump partially filled with fluid in a flexible chamber thereof, depression of said chamber driving fluid flow into said device, and return via suction upon release.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said fluid source comprises a fluid chamber connected to an electric pump.

9. A method of therapeutic fingernail treatment comprising the steps of:

enclosing a fingernail in a sealed fashion; and

providing nozzle means facing said enclosed fingernail, said nozzle means being connected to a fluid source; and

reversibly pumping said fluid through said nozzle means, and back to said fluid source, in cyclical fashion,

such that said fluid periodically flows under said fingernail, and is withdrawn therefrom, providing therapeutic fingernail treatment.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said reversible pumping step, said fluid periodically develops pressure in said fingernail enclosure and relaxes it to direct said fluid flow.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein during said reversible pumping step, said fluid exits said nozzle means via perforations formed therein and returns to said fluid source via nozzle valves.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said reversible pumping step is performed by a hand pump having a one-way valve.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said reversible pumping step is performed by an electric pump having a one-way valve.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said enclosing step is performed by sealing said fingernail in a disposable elastic sleeve.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said sealing step is performed by an adjustable, flexible clamp seated over said disposable sleeve for sealing it around a finger.