Piezoelectric Tick Removal Instrument

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tick removal devices often fail to ensure complete extraction of the tick without leaving rostral parts in the skin, risk compressing the tick and causing toxic product injection, and may be bulky, require batteries, or pose hygiene risks due to incomplete sealing and potential for tick drop.

Innovation Solution

A compact, battery-free instrument with movable parts forming a closed volume to hold the tick without compression, utilizing a piezoelectric generator to deliver a lethal electric shock for quick and hygienic tick removal, ensuring no rostral parts are left behind and preventing toxic product release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional forceps are used to extract the tick, then the tick can be removed from the skin, but compression is applied to the tick causing toxic product injection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetick removal efficiencyVSAvoidtoxic product injection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical compression-based extraction with an electrical neutralization system. A piezoelectric generator produces high voltage that creates an electric arc to neutralize the tick's nervous system, allowing removal without mechanical compression that would force toxic products into the host.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter from mechanical force to electrical voltage. By applying a high voltage electric arc (at least 17,000 volts) to the tick's head, the tick is neutralized electrically rather than mechanically compressed, preventing toxic product injection while ensuring complete rostrum removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If conventional forceps are used to extract the tick, then the tick can be removed, but part of the rostrum may remain in the skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetick removal efficiencyVSAvoidcomplete rostrum extraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary electrical neutralization to the tick's head before extraction. By delivering the electric arc to the tick's head region first, the rostrum is weakened and detached from the skin, ensuring complete removal during subsequent extraction without leaving fragments behind.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If electrocuting clamps are used to kill the tick, then the tick is neutralized, but the device is bulky and requires a battery power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetick neutralizationVSAvoidpower supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a piezoelectric generator that converts mechanical energy from the user's hand operation directly into electrical energy. The generator contains no battery or external power supply, making the device compact and self-powered through the user's own mechanical input during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If electrocuting clamps are used to kill the tick, then the tick is neutralized, but there is risk of electric shock to the animal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetick neutralizationVSAvoidelectric shock risk to host
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent confines the electrical effect to a localized region. The electric arc is generated between two electrodes positioned to contact only the tick's head within the chamber, ensuring the electrical neutralization is applied locally to the tick without affecting the surrounding host animal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the chamber structure as an intermediary that isolates the electrical effect. The chamber walls and electrode arrangement create a contained environment where the electric arc is restricted to the tick, preventing direct electrical contact with the host animal while still achieving effective neutralization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Reliability

If a bell-shaped instrument is used to cover the tick, then the tick can be neutralized with化学物质 or vacuum, but the device is difficult to implement and requires sealing and complex systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetick neutralizationVSAvoidsealing and connection systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex chemical injection or vacuum systems with a simple piezoelectric generator and electrode arrangement. The chamber serves only as a containment structure, while the piezoelectric mechanism provides a mechanically simple yet effective means of tick neutralization without requiring seals, pumps, or chemical reservoirs.

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

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 instrument effectively removes ticks with their rostrum intact, avoiding toxic product dissemination and ensuring hygiene by delivering a lethal electric shock within a closed volume, maintaining the tick's natural detachment without animal risk or product release.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric generator adapted to deliver to the neutralization means an electric voltage causing a lethal electric shock for the tick

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The piezoelectric generator supplies two electrical conductors arranged on either side of the passage, the conductors being adapted to produce an electric arc when the organs form the closed volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric arc: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentEP1983919B1Instrument for removing ticks that are fixed to the skin
Publication Date: 2010.06.23 ACTIPHARM
  • EP1983919B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1983919B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1983919B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This instrument, for removing ticks that are fixed to the skin of an animal or of a human being, comprises two parts that are movable relative to one another, each part comprising a member (9, 16) that is designed to define, with the other member (16, 9), a closed volume (18) in which the body and the head (19) of a tick (20) are held without compression. This volume (18) is provided with a neutralizing means connected to a piezoelectric generator designed to deliver, to the neutralizing means, an electrical voltage that produces an electric shock lethal to the tick.