US4674486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of correcting ingrown toenails
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-03-11
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Granted: 1987-06-23
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Expires: 2005-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A method for correcting ingrown toenails includes covering at least a portion of the upper surface of a toenail to be treated with an adhesive, placing a resilient sheet of fibrous reinforced material on the adhesive, where the material is fracturable in a direction cross-wise of the direction of growth of the toenail, and bending the lateral edges of the material downwardly to contact and adhere to the side edges of the toenail. When in place, the material urges the side edges of the toenail upwardly to thereby tend to flatten the toenail and eliminate the involution of the edges of the nail.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald G. Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of correcting ingrown toenails comprising providing a resilient sheet of material which is more readily fracturable in a transverse direction than a longitudinal direction, which is generally at right angles to the transverse direction, at a plurality of locations spaced longitudinally along the material, and affixing the sheet of material to the upper surface a toenail by bending the side edges of the material downwardly so that the material generally conforms in shape to the upper surface of the toenail, and bonding the material to the toenail so that the transverse direction of the material extends generally across the width of the toenail and urges the side edges of the toenail upwardly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of correcting ingrown toenails comprising providing a resilient sheet of material which is more readily fracturable in a transverse direction than a longitudinal direction, which is generally at right angles to the transverse direction, at a plurality of locations spaced longitudinally along the material, and affixing the sheet of material to the upper surface a toenail by bending the side edges of the material downwardly so that the material generally conforms in shape to the upper surface of the toenail, and bonding the material to the toenail so that the transverse direction of the material extends generally across the width of the toenail and urges the side edges of the toenail upwardly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said sheet of material is a carbon fiber epoxy composite material whose fibers extend essentially in the transverse direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein said sheet of material in about 0.005 inches thick.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the sheet of material has a modulus of elasticity greater than 20 million psi.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said sheet of material is a fiberglass composite matrial whose fibers extend essentially in the transverse direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said sheet of material comprises a plurality of segments arranged in a series, each of which is breakable from the adjacent segment, and wherein the segments are placed on the nail to extend transversely thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein said sheet of material is made of stainless steel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein said sheet of material is composed of a series of stainless steel wires held in place by potting material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is affixed to the toenail with a cyanoacrylate adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the modulus of elasticity of the sheet of material is selected to be between about 15 and 25 million psi.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of correcting ingrown toenails comprising covering at least a portion of the upper surface of the toenail to be treated with and adhesive, placing a resilient sheet of material on the adhesive, said material being more readily fracturable in a cross-wise direction generally at right angles with a length-wide direction which is placed in alignment with the direction of growth of the toenail, and bending the lateral edges of the material downwardly to contact and adhere to the side edges of the toenail.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of correcting ingrown toenails comprising covering at least a portion of the upper surface of the toenail to be treated with and adhesive, placing a resilient sheet of material on the adhesive, said material being more readily fracturable in a cross-wise direction generally at right angles with a length-wide direction which is placed in alignment with the direction of growth of the toenail, and bending the lateral edges of the material downwardly to contact and adhere to the side edges of the toenail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein the resilient material is selected to have a modulus of elasticity of about 20 million psi.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein the resilient material is generally planar prior to attachment to a toenail.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein the resilient material is made of a carbon fiber epoxy composite whose fibers extend cross-wise of the direction of growth of the toenail.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-22 | 1990-12-22 | 1991-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-22 | 1994-12-22 | 1995-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-22 | 1998-12-22 | 1999-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |