Magnetic Nail Brace Applicator for Ingrown Toenail Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The application of nail braces and applicators requires manual skill and complexity, particularly in attaching the nail brace to the applicator and applying magnetic elements for ingrown toenails, which can be challenging and requires great skill.

Innovation Solution

A nail brace with a magnetic material coating and a nail brace applicator featuring a magnetic holding element simplifies the attachment process by using magnetic interaction for secure fixation, eliminating the need for additional fastening elements and tools, and allowing for easy identification and detachment of the coating for aesthetic reasons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a nail brace applicator with magnetic holding element and nail brace with magnetic material coating are used, then the attachment process is simplified and manual skill requirements are reduced, but additional magnetic components and coating materials are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical attachment operations with magnetic attraction. The magnetic holding element in the applicator and magnetic material coating on the nail brace create automatic magnetic coupling, eliminating the need for manual fastening operations and reducing skill requirements while simplifying the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic properties as a new parameter to the nail brace system by applying a magnetic material coating. This parameter change enables magnetic interaction with the applicator's holding element, fundamentally changing how attachment is achieved from mechanical to magnetic forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If magnetic elements are applied to the toenail for ingrown toenail correction, then nail correction effectiveness is improved, but the application process becomes extremely complex and requires great skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenail correction effectivenessVSAvoidapplication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the magnetic holding function and the nail brace structure into a single integrated system. The magnetic material coating is applied directly to the nail brace, merging the attachment mechanism with the correction device, thereby simplifying the overall application process while maintaining correction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic material coating serves as an intermediary between the applicator's magnetic holding element and the nail brace. This intermediate magnetic layer enables effective magnetic coupling and force transmission without requiring direct contact or complex mechanical interfaces, simplifying the application process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the covering with magnetic material is made detachable from the nail brace, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the attachment and detachment process requires additional steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidprocess steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the nail brace into two detachable components: the leaf-spring-like strip and the covering with magnetic material. This segmentation allows the covering to be removed after application, improving aesthetic appearance by making the magnetic components invisible, while the modular design simplifies the detachment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly simplifies the application of nail braces by enabling easy attachment and secure fixation without manual skill requirements, ensuring stable and effective nail correction with improved usability and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic material provided for the covering of the strip can in particular be a magnetic or magnetizable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic holding element, in particular in the form of a permanent magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2596772B1Nail brace, nail brace applicator and application set
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 STOLZ BERND
  • EP2596772B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2596772B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8
  • EP2596772B1 patent drawingFigure 9

AI summary

Set (1) for performing nail corrections with a nail brace (2) and a nail brace applicator (3). The nail brace (2) comprises a leaf-spring-like strip (5) made of elastic plastic and a coating (13) provided at least partially on the strip (5), wherein the coating (13) contains a magnetic material. The nail brace applicator (3) for applying the nail brace (2) to a nail of a toe or finger comprises an elongated base body (15) extending in a longitudinal direction with an end face (17) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, which forms an application surface, and a retaining element (28) for releasably holding the nail brace (2) to be applied on the application surface (17), wherein the retaining element (28) is arranged on the application surface (17) and is magnetically formed.