Nail correction kit

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for performing a nail correction for a human or animal toenail or fingernail including the steps of a) removing the concerned nail from the nail bed, b) treating the dry nail with a primer containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds, c) illuminating the primer with a light source to initiate polymerisation, d) application of a light-curing brace in form of lines to the nail, the light-curing brace containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds, e) illuminating the light-curing brace with a light source to initiate polymerization while the nail is held in the desired shape. . 20 24 20 33 26 20 M ay 2 02 4 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 4 2 0 3 3 2 6 2 0 M a y 2 0 2 4 A B S T R A C T 2 0 2 4 2 0 3 3 2 6 2 0 M a y 2 0 2 4

Description

The present invention relates to a kit for performing a nail correction method for a human or animal toenail or fingernail. The application claims priority 5     of the prior application DE 102017004546.1 (date of filing: 12 May 2017) . Various methods are known to correct toenails or fingernails. Such nails frequently have a strong curvature causing them to press or grow into the nail bed. 0     A common way of treatment is to remove the complete nail by surgery. The treatment is not only painful, but often does not result in a nail correction:  The newly growing nail is frequently as curved as the original one nail was. 15         An alternative, non-surgical way of treatment is to fit a nail correction brace at the respective nail. Such a brace is described in the German patent specification DE 10 2005 039 147 B3. The brace engages un der the nail, which often will lead to tissue irrita- 20     tions. In WO 2011 / 039243 A1, a multi-layer polymer system is described, wherein it is intended that, by contraction and expansion of different layers in opposite directions, lateral tensile forces on the nail are obtained, with the consequence of a mechanical 25     correction. As has been found, the method described in WO 2011 / 039243 A1 is not reproducible: All efforts to reproduce such a multi-layer system, which, on the one hand, attaches on the nail and, on the other hand, develops the required correction forces, were not suc-30     cessful. There is, therefore, a continuing need for means for the correction of misgrown toenails or fingernails. 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 Surprisingly, it has been found that the kit for nail correction described in the following avoids the above drawbacks and enables in a simple way a correction of ingrown fingernails or toenails. Depending on 5     the degree of deformation of the nails (in particular on the degree of curvature), different compositions based on photopolymerizable components can be applied. Optionally, one or more metallic spring braces can additionally be used. By the kind of attachment of the 10     metallic spring braces, it can be excluded that mech anical tissue irritations will occur. The kit for nail correction according to the invention includes a) a primer, including 15         40-60 % of hydroxyethylene methacrylate, 40-60 % of phosphate dimethacrylate, 0.1-1.0 % of a starter, b) at least one composition for making a lightcuring nail brace, including 20         15-45 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate, urethane dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:5 to 5:1, 85-55 % of fillers and pigments, 0.1-1 % of camphorquinone, amino starter, and 25         c) optionally one or more spring braces. The component a of the kit according to the invention is a primer, acting as an adhesion agent. During the investigations in connection with the present invention, it has been found that the adhesion of the 30     photopolymer to the nail is critical for the success of the correction method. It turns out that the adhesion of the photopolymer to the nail is significantly improved when the adhesion agent described in the in- 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 vention is employed as a primer. This adhesion agent includes 40-60 % of hydroxyethylene methacrylate and 40-60 % of phosphate dimethacrylate and 0.1-1.0 % of a polymerization starter. The polymerization starters 5     are described below in more detail. The mixing propor tion may vary within the percentages mentioned above. Advantageously, the two methacrylates are included in an approximately identical proportion. It is understood that all components together sum up to 100 %. 0         The actual nail brace is formed by means of the photopolymerizable material b. This is a composition including 15-45 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate, urethane dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:5 to 5:1, 15         85-55 % of fillers and pigments, 0.1-1 % of camphorquinone, amino starter. The range of compositions mentioned above allows for a different adjustment of the mechanical properties, in the form of different degrees of hardness. In 20     practice, it has proven to provide two compositions, one of which is comparatively soft, the other one being comparatively hard. The soft composition includes, for instance, 17-21 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate, urethane 25         dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:4 to 4:1, 79-83 % of fillers and pigments, 0.1-1 % of camphorquinone, amino starter. The hard composition includes, for instance, 36-40 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate, urethane 30         dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:4 to 4:1, 60-64 % of fillers and pigments, 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 0.1-1 % of camphorquinone, amino starter. The monomers bisphenol A (di)methacrylate and urethane dimethacrylate included in the compositions are preferably included in approximately equal amounts. 5     Mixing proportions, wherein the two main components are included in a mass proportion between 1:5 and 5:1, are generally suitable. Particularly preferable are mixing proportions, wherein the two main components are included in a mass proportion between 1:2 and 2:1. 15 20 25 30 The material for the light-curing nail brace further includes fillers and pigments. These are silicate-based fillers (silica fillers), fillers based on ground barium glass (barium glass fillers) as well as polymeric particles. The particular additions have diameters in the range from 0.1-10 pm, preferably they are smaller than 5 pm. In particular, the barium glass-based fillers significantly contribute to the mechanical properties of the nail brace. In addition, pigments may further be included in the composition, in order to confer an aesthetic appearance to the formed nail brace. Further, the pigments should preferably have diameters in the range from 0.1-10 pm. The compositions according to the invention further include polymerization starters that can initiate the desired polymerization reaction by irradiation with light. For this purpose, in principle, all classical polymerization starters are suitable. Particularly suitable has proven the combination of camphorquinone with amino starters, namely tertiary amines (e.g., triethanolamine, N,N-dimethyl-p-tolui-dine, triethylamine, 4-dimethylamino bezoic acid ethyl ester, N,N-tetramethylaniline). Alternatively, for instance, 2-ethylanthraquinone in combination with N-phenylglycine can be used. When using such a system, surprisingly, the completed composition can be stored 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 over longer times, without a polymerization reaction taking place. Only after illumination with an adjusted light source, the polymerization reaction will occur. For this purpose, e.g., an LED light source with a 5     wavelength of approx. 450 nm and a light power of 1000-1500 mW / cm2 can be used. Optionally, the kit according to the invention further includes one or more braces made of spring steel. They are made from a spring steel wire having a 10     diameter of 0.3-1.5 mm. The brace may include one or more U-shaped loops. The metal spring brace is applied with the light-curing material described above on top of the respective nail (glued) . Different from the therapy methods described above using such metal 15     braces, it is neither required to enclose the nail at the outside, nor to provide for boreholes in the nail. Figure 4 shows an attachment according to the invention for such a metal brace. The kit according to the invention is used as fol- 20      lows: First, the therapist removes the concerned nail from the nail bed. In this procedure, a strip of cloth can be inserted between nail and nail bed. Then, the nail is first treated with the primer of the kit. Care 25     has, in particular, to be taken that the nail is dry. The concerned nail should, in particular during the 24 hours before the application, not have been in a longer-lasting contact with water. The patient should, for instance, not have taken a bath. Short washing or 30     showering is, however, harmless, provided that the nail has been carefully dried. If necessary, the nail can be dried with a hot-air blower. The primer is first applied onto the necessary locations. Normally, it is recommended to apply the primer in a sheet-like 35     manner onto the entire nail. After application, the 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 polymerization is started by means of a light source (preferably blue light of approx. 450 nm and 100 mW / cm2) . When using a usual light source, the polymerization is completed after a time of 5 seconds to 60 5     seconds, normally 10 seconds illumination is suffi cient . Thereafter, the light-curing nail brace is applied. The nail is held by the therapist by means of a tool in the desired position. The application is made in the form of lines (see Figure 1) with a line width of 2-6 mm. After the application, preferably immediately, the polymerization is started by illumination with the light source mentioned above. It is important, when doing so, to hold the nail in the desired shape. This 15     step, too, is usually completed after a time of 5-60 seconds. Thereafter, the material can again be reground, so that no edges will be created, where fabric (e.g., stockings) could get caught. With strongly deformed or very strongly thickened nails, a multitude 20     of such line-shaped applications can be performed. If applicable, very thick nails may also be ground preparatorily, so that the nail is deformable again. Grinding has, of course, to be performed before the priming process with the primer. The photopolymer may 25     also be applied in a correspondingly thicker layer. In an extreme case, a metallic spring brace may be applied. For this purpose, first, a drop of the lightcuring material is applied as a point, and the spring brace is pressed into this drop (Figure 4). After 30     light-curing of the drop, the spring brace is spanned over the nail and fixed by means of a second drop of the photopolymerizing material. The two ends of the metal brace should each be visible from the inside of the drop. In this embodiment, too, a preparation of 35     the nail using the primer is required, since otherwise the durability of the construct on the nail cannot be guaranteed . 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 15 20 25 30 By means of the kit according to the invention, it is also possible to enable another correction of a nail already treated with a metal brace. In particular, in the case of a tissue irritation (nail bed irritation) by the classical metal brace, the classical metal brace can be removed, and the nail is then further treated with the kit according to the invention. The compositions provided in the kit are preferably supplied in correspondingly designed containers. For the primer, in principle, vials made of glass or plastic with an application brush are suitable. The compositions for making light-curing nail braces are typically more viscous and are preferably supplied in cartridges for use together with a cartridge press or gun. All containers are preferably opaque. With the kit according to the invention, the necessary materials are provided, in order to correct ingrown toenails or fingernails for humans or animals, without the drawbacks of prior art occurring. In most cases, the nail correction can be performed without the aid of metallic braces. The composition according to the invention, in particular, guarantees a clearly better adhesion to the nail than prior art compositions. Furthermore, the advantages of a polymer can be combined with those of a metal brace, without the drawbacks occurring that frequently appeared in prior metal braces, in particular mechanical irritations of the nail bed . In an improvement of the composition according to the invention, the primer additionally includes one or more antimicotics. As has been found in practice, nails needing a correction are frequently infested by nail fungi causing additional problems. It is known that nail fungi cannot easily be treated. It turned out that the nail fungus treatment is successful, when 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 the primer additionally includes one or more anti-micotics. The admixture is normally 0.1-2 %, preferably 0.5-1 %. As an antimcotic, generally compounds are suitable that are approved for the treatment of ony-5     chomycoses, such as, for instance, econazole, bifona- zole, chlodrimazole, fenticonazole, ketocanazole, miconazole, oxiconazole, and related compounds. In the embodiment of the invention with an addition of antimycotics, the complementing addition of 0     penetration amplifiers has proven successful. For this purpose, the usual penetration amplifiers for nail penetration can be used. Particularly successful for the present invention have proven penetration amplifiers based on substituted 1,3-dioxolanes, 1,5-dioxanes 15     and acetals, in particular the substances and sub stance mixtures marketed under the trademark SEPA®. According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for performing a nail correction for a human or animal toenail or fingernail including the steps of 20 a) removing the concerned nail from the nail bed, b) treating the dry nail with a primer containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds, 25 c) illuminating the primer with a light source to initiate polymerisation, d) application of a light-curing brace in form of 30     lines with a line width of 2-6 mm to the nail, the light-curing brace containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds, e) illuminating the light-curing brace with a light 35     source to initiate polymerization while the nail is held in the desired shape. 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for performing a nail correction for a human or animal toenail or fingernail including the steps of 5     a) removing the concerned nail from the nail bed, treating the dry nail with a primer containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds, b) illuminating the primer with a light source to initiate polymerisation, 10     c) application of a metallic spring brace by applying a first drop of a photopolymerizing material, the metallic brace being pressed into said drop, d) light-curing of said first drop of a photopolymerizing material, 15     e) spanning the metallic brace over the nail and fixing by means of a second drop of a photopolymerizing material, the metallic brace being pressed into said second drop, f) light-curing of said second drop of a 20     photopolymerizing material. According to another embodiment, there is provided a method for performing a nail correction for a human or animal toenail or fingernail by application of a primer containing one or more photopolymerisable 25     compounds and illuminating said primer with a light source to initiate polymerization followed by application of a light-curing brace in form of lines to the nail, the light-curing brace containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds and illuminating 30     said one or more photopolymerisable compounds with a light source to initiate polymerization while the nail is held in the desired shape. 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 Examples The invention is further explained by the compositions exemplarily illustrated in the following: A) Primer A1 A2 A3 A4 Component (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) Hydroxyethylene methacrylate 4 9.7 39.7 35.7 45.7 Phosphate dimethacrylate [bis(glyceryldimethacrylate) phosphate] 4 9.7 5 9.7 54.6 4 4.7 Camphorquinone 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.4 Triethylamine 0.2 0.1 0.2 N,N-Dimethyl-p-toluidine 0.2 0.1 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 8) Nail brace (soft) B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 Component (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) Bisphenol A (di)methacrylate 16.0 15.0 14.0 30.0 22.0 Urethane dimethacrylate 16.0 30.0 30.0 15.0 22.0 Silica filler (Aerosil 9200) 20.0 0.0 17.0 16.5 18.5 Silica filler (Aerosil 7200) 5.0 10.3 15.0 12.5 4.5 Barium glass (median particle size: 13 pm) 18.0 13.0 13.0 12.0 14.5.0 Barium glass (median particle size: 5 pm) 3.9 14.0 5.2 5.0 5.5 Polymeric particle (median particle size: 10 pm) 20.0 12.0 4.0 4,5 8.0 Polymeric particle (median particle size:  6 pm) 0.0 5.0 1.0 3.5 4.0 Camphorquinone 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.0 Triethylamine 0.5 0. 0 0. 1 0. 4 0.0 N,N-Dimethyl-p-toluidine 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 2-Ethylanthraquinone 0.0 0.0 0.0 0. 0 0.6 N-Phenylglycine 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 C) Nail brace (hard) C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 Component (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) (wt.-%) Bisphenol A (di)methacrylate 20.0 25.0 18.0 19.0 15.0 Urethane dimethacrylate 20.0 13.0 20.0 20.0 23.0 Silica filler (Aerosil 9200) 20.0 0.0 18.0 16.5 19.5 Silica filler (Aerosil 7200) 5.0 13.3 16.0 15.5 5.5 Barium glass (median particle size: 13 pm) 16.0 14.0 12.5 12.0 12.5 Barium glass (median particle size: 5pm) 3.9 16.1 7.0 6.5 8.5 Polymeric particle (median particle size: 10 pm) 14.0 12.0 6.2 6.0 11.0 Polymeric particle (median particle size:  6 pm) 0.0 5.0 1.0 3.5 4.0 Camphorquinone 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.0 Triethylamine 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.0 N,N-Dimethyl-p-toluidine 0.0 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.0 2-Ethylanthraquinone 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 N-Phenylglycine 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 2024203326   10 Feb 2026 10 15 Figures Figure 1 shows the application of a composition for making a light-curing nail brace onto the nail. Figure 2 shows the light-cured composition on the nail close to the nail pocket (after illumination). Figure 3 shows the application of a light-curing composition on the nail close to the nail pocket. Figure 4 shows the attachment of a spring brace by means of the kit according to the invention by fixing the first end of the spring brace (top) and then fixing the other end. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it) , or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication   (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A method for performing a nail correction for a human or animal toenail or fingernail including the steps of5         a) removing the concerned nail from the nail bed,b) treating the dry nail with a primer containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds,10         c) illuminating the primer with a light source toinitiate polymerisation,d) application of a light-curing brace in form of lines with a line width of 2-6 mm to the nail, the15         light-curing brace containing one or morephotopolymerisable compounds,2025e) illuminating the light-curing brace with alight source to initiate polymerization while thenail is held in the desired shape.

2. The method according to claim 1 in which the primer includes   40-60   % of hydroxyethylenemethacrylate    and    40-60    %    of    phosphatedimethacrylate and 0.1-1.0 % of a polymerizationstarter .

3. The method according to claims 1 or 2, in which the light-curing brace is made from a composition including 15-45 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate,urethane dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:530          to 5:1, 85-55 % of fillers and pigments, 0.1-1    %of camphorquinone, amino starter.

4. The method according to claims 1 or 2, in whichthe light-curing brace is made from a composition including 17-21 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate,2024203326   24 Feb 2026urethane dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:4 to 4:1, 79-83 % of fillers and pigments, 0.1-1    %of camphorquinone, amino starter.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding 5         claims, in which the illuminating steps are madeby application of blue light of approx. 450 nm and 100 mW / cm2 for a time of 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

6. A method for performing a nail correction for a human or animal toenail or fingernail including 0         the steps ofa) removing the concerned nail from the nail bed, treating the dry nail with a primer containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds,b) illuminating the primer with a light source to15         initiate polymerisation,c) application of a metallic spring brace by applying a first drop of a photopolymerizing material, the metallic brace being pressed into said drop,20         d)   light-curing of said first drop of aphotopolymerizing material,e) spanning the metallic brace over the nail and fixing by means of a second drop of a photopolymerizing material, the metallic brace25         being    pressed    into    said    second    drop,f)   light-curing of said second drop of aphotopolymerizing material.7 . The  method  according to  claim 6  in  which  the primer   includes   40- -60   %   of hydroxyethylene 30 methacrylate    and 40-60    % of    phosphate dimethacrylate and 0. 1-1.0  %  of a polymerization starter .

8. The method according to claims 6 or 7, in whichthe light-curing brace is made from a composition2024203326   24 Feb 2026152025including 15-45 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate,urethane dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:5 to 5:1, 85-55 % of fillers and pigments, 0.1-1    %of camphorquinone, amino starter.

9. The method according to claims 6 or 7, in which the light-curing brace is made from a composition including 17-21 % of bisphenol A (di)methacrylate,urethane dimethacrylate in a proportion from 1:4 to 4:1, 79-83 % of fillers and pigments, 0.1-1    %of camphorquinone, amino starter.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, in which the illuminating steps are made by application of blue light of approx. 450 nm and 100 mW / cm2 for a time of 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

11. A method for performing a nail correction for a human or animal   toenail   or   fingernail byapplication of a primer containing one or more photopolymerisable compounds and illuminating said primer   with   a   light   source   to   initiatepolymerization followed by application of a lightcuring brace in form of lines to the nail, the light-curing   brace   containing   one   or   morephotopolymerisable compounds and illuminating said one or more photopolymerisable compounds with a light source to initiate polymerization while the nail is held in the desired shape.

12. The method according to claim 11 in which the illuminating steps are made by application of blue light of approx. 450 nm and 100 mW / cm2 for a time 30         of 5 seconds to 60 seconds.

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