Nail Correction Band With Variable Elastic Units

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for correcting ingrown nails, such as surgical procedures and devices, are either painful, costly, inconvenient, or require professional application, and they often struggle with accommodating different nail sizes and causing discomfort during the correction process.

Innovation Solution

A nail correction band with a simple configuration, comprising a first adhesive portion, a second adhesive portion, a correction portion, and an elastic unit, which can be easily attached by users and provides tensile force to straighten ingrown nails, while being adaptable to various nail sizes and minimizing discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical operations are performed to correct ingrown nail, then the nail can be formed into a normal shape, but the recovery time is long and the procedure is painful

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection effectivenessVSAvoidpain and recovery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the surgical mechanical system with an elastic mechanical system. The elastic piece applies continuous tensile force to the ingrown nail edge, gradually pulling it outward without surgical intervention. This substitution eliminates the need for painful surgery while maintaining correction effectiveness through sustained mechanical force.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the correction approach from immediate surgical reshaping to gradual elastic deformation. By applying continuous tensile force over time, the nail edge slowly moves to its correct position, reducing pain and allowing natural recovery while achieving the same corrective result.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If elastic materials are used to apply tensile force to straighten the nail edge, then the nail can be corrected without surgery, but excessive tensile force may cause pain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-surgical correctionVSAvoidpain from excessive tension
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a dynamic elastic piece that can stretch and contract. The elastic material naturally adjusts its tensile force based on the degree of nail deformation - applying more force when the nail is severely ingrown and reducing force as correction progresses. This dynamic adjustment prevents excessive pain while maintaining effective correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the force application from static to dynamic. The elastic piece's tensile force varies over time as the nail corrects itself, starting with higher force for severe cases and gradually reducing to maintenance levels, thereby avoiding excessive pain while ensuring thorough correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of moving object

If orthodontic bands are kept attached to the nail for a long time to correct the ingrown condition, then the nail can be gradually straightened, but discomfort and secondary pain may occur during daily life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection durationVSAvoiddiscomfort during daily life
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin, flexible elastic piece that conforms to the nail surface. This flexible structure allows natural nail movement and flexion during daily activities, reducing discomfort and secondary pain while maintaining continuous corrective force over the required duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a dynamic elastic structure that moves with the nail and surrounding tissues. The elastic piece accommodates natural nail flexion and movement, preventing discomfort during daily life while sustaining the corrective force needed for long-term correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Force

If metal materials such as shape memory alloy are used in the nail corrector, then the device can provide effective correction force, but it causes inconvenience in daily life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection forceVSAvoiddaily life convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces permanent metal components with a disposable or replaceable elastic piece. The elastic component can be applied and removed easily, providing effective correction force during the treatment period without the long-term inconvenience of metal implants. Once correction is achieved, the elastic piece is removed, restoring full comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes metal mechanical systems with elastic mechanical systems. The elastic material provides the necessary correction force through elastic deformation rather than metal elasticity, eliminating the inconvenience of metal implants while maintaining effective force application during the correction period.

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

5Duration of action of stationary object

If adhesive strength is increased to prevent the correction band from falling off, then the device remains attached longer, but it may cause discomfort or damage to the nail

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment durationVSAvoidnail damage or discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a dynamic adhesive system that allows for easy removal. The adhesive is designed to hold the elastic piece securely during correction but can be removed without damaging the nail or causing discomfort. This dynamic adhesion balance ensures long-lasting attachment while preventing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary adhesive layer between the elastic piece and the nail. This adhesive mediator provides sufficient holding strength for long-term attachment while being gentle on the nail surface, preventing damage and discomfort during both attachment and removal phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The nail correction band offers a cost-effective, pain-free, and convenient solution for correcting ingrown nails, allowing users to easily apply it themselves and accommodating different nail sizes, thus enhancing daily life convenience during the correction process.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic units (60) are arranged so as to extend over the first adhesive portion (10), the correction portion (30), and the second adhesive portion (20) in an integrated manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

they use tensile force as a force that pulls objects that are spatially separated from each other to straighten the edges of the fingernail that have been attached for a long time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTensile force: Tension

Implementation Method 3

a first adhesive portion (10) formed on one edge and having a first adhesive surface (11); a second adhesive portion (20) formed on the other edge and having a second adhesive surface (21)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4537797A1Nail correction band
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 FRESHFOOT LEESSAM CO LTD
  • EP4537797A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4537797A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4537797A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The disclosed nail correction band comprises: a first adhesive portion (10) formed on one edge and having a first adhesive surface (11); a second adhesive portion (20) formed on the other edge and having a second adhesive surface (21); a correction portion (30) included between the first adhesive portion (10) and the second adhesive portion (20); and an elastic unit (60) arranged over the entire first adhesive portion (10), the correction portion (30), and the second adhesive portion (20); wherein the first adhesive portion (10) further comprises a first adhesive extension portion (12) extending outwardly, and the second adhesive portion (20) further comprises a second adhesive extension portion (22) extending outwardly, and the elastic units (60) are provided in two or more numbers, and each elastic unit (60) is configured with a different length.