1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device and method for treating ingrown nails on toes and fingers.
2. Background of the Related Art
A normal nail on a toe or finger has a relatively large radius or curvature corresponding generally to the circumference of the toe or finger. However, certain conditions may cause the edge or edges of the nail to become curved or curled inwardly, especially at or near the end of the nail. As a result, the interned edge or edges of the nail protrude into the flesh of the toe or finger, giving rise to the condition known as ingrown toenail or ingrown finger nail.
Since an ingrown nail may cause discomfort and in some cases severe pain, a number of devices and appliances have been devised to treat the condition. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 137,106 to E. E. Stedman discloses a curved spring which overlies the toe and engages the edges of the nail. U.S. Pat. No. 1,596,532 to F. Haener discloses a double walled guard with portions adapted to lie above and below the nail, respectively, and double walled arms extending rearwardly to embrace the edges of the nail. U.S. Pat. No. 2,342,530 to E. F. Coates discloses a protective nail device which includes two complementary sections, with each section having a thickened edge portion which lies along the edge of the nail and a relatively thin upper portion which lies along the top of the nail, and the device extends forward of the end of the nail to hold the flesh in its proper position with respect to the nail. U.S. Pat. No. 2,505,086 to R. P. Andrews discloses a wide sheet of plastic with an attaching flap which is inserted under the ingrown side of the nail. U.S. Pat. No. 2,920,621 discloses a nylon channel inserted under the edge of the nail to serve as an abutment for a lipped metal strap which lies horizontally across the face of the nail and is then taped into position with adhesive tape. U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,298 to Philip G. Vironda discloses a liquid material spread across the base of the nail, causing the material to harden and to become adhered to the nail and to serve as a support to retain the form of the nail as it grows. U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,486 to Ronald G. Hoffman discloses a resilient strip of material placed on the upper surface of the toenail, which urges the side edges of the nail upwardly and thereby tending to fatten the toenail and eliminated the inwardly curved edges of the ingrown nail. U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,799 to Werner G. Remmen discloses a steel wire spring having a central inverted V-shaped bridge, and the free ends of the wire are curved downwardly to form small lips slipped over the side edges of the toenail.
A number of nail trimming devices and instruments have also been devised for the purpose of cutting and treating ingrown toenails, including U.S. Pat. No. 2,479,514 to L. C. Rucker, U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,160 to Harry L. Hahn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,322 to Damian G. DeSantis, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,213 to Patricia A. Suggs.
Despite the number of devices and methods which have been developed for the treatment of ingrown nails, none have been fully satisfactory to the podiatry and beauty industries. A significant number of people continue to have discomfort and severe pain as a result of ingrown nails.