Surgery – Instruments – Means for removal of skin or material therefrom
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-03
2001-01-30
Buiz, Michael (Department: 3731)
Surgery
Instruments
Means for removal of skin or material therefrom
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179847
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Search 219/227, 219/233, 219/229, 294/99.2, 294/100, 606/206, 606/131, 606/133, 606/264, 606/27, 606/29, 606/42, 606/210, 606/211, 362/157, 362/204, 362/202, 362/208, 362/119, 43/134
2. References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,200,028
8/1965
Chisolm
219/227
3,844,291
10/1974
Moen
606/206
3,938,527
2/1976
Rioux et al.
606/133
4,213,460
7/1980
Weiner
606/131
4,240,435
12/1980
Yazawa et al.
606/133
4,303,268
12/1981
Davidson
294/99.2
4,393,872
7/1983
Reznik et al.
604/294
4,442,837
4/1984
Keatley
606/131
4,979,771
12/1990
Childs III
294/99.2
5,002,232
3/1990
Idsund
294/100
5,035,695
7/1991
Weber, Jr. et al
606/42
5,250,046
10/1993
Lee
606/29
5,276,306
1/1994
Huffman
219/229
5,376,087
12/1994
Riemann
294/100
5,556,563
9/1996
Heyde et al.
219/227
5,565,122
10/1996
Zinnbauer et al.
219/227
5,690,847
11/1997
Le Valley et al.
219/233
5,914,062
6/1999
Von Der Heyde
294/99.2
3. Field of Invention
The device of this invention resides in the area of devices used to remove ticks from animals and people and, specifically, incorporates a spot light to locate and observe a tick, along with positive and negative electrodes formed as an elongated tweezer with unique tips to hold and squeeze the tick, as well as a unique electrical circuit powered by two internal 1½ volt batteries. When a tick is squeezed, a small amount of electric current automatically passes through the tick to cause it to release its grip on the skin of the host, the light will dim indicating current flow, the tick is then lifted off the skin with the tweezer, safely. The device does not use a heated element or member, which can cause discomfort to the host. The small amount of current that passes through the tick is so minimal that a small pet or child cannot feel it.
Explanation of Tick Removal, Concerns
A tick is any of numerous bloodsucking arachnids that attach themselves to warm blooded vertebrates to feed, and include important vectors of infectious diseases; some can transmit Lyme Disease to a host. They vary in size from approximately 0.100 inch in diameter to 0.300 inch in diameter and are difficult to visually locate. Once they attach themselves to the skin, they hold on and, if pulled off, will often leave some tick body parts embedded under the skin that can contribute to infection. The use of heat or heated tweezers to help induce the tick to release its grip on the skin of the host is not always practical, especially with small children or pet animals with long hair.
Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,460 to Weiner discloses forceps that are heated. U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,771 to Childs, III discloses cup members at the end of the tweezers to hold and remove a tick. U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,306 to Huffman indicates the use of a heated needle to insert into the tick, and a spoon member to remove the tick. U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,563 to Heyde et al. teaches heated tweezer arms that move together to grasp and heat the tick. U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,062 to Von Der Heyde discloses retractable tweezers that grip the tick, and provides a heated element near the tick to cause the tick to release its grip.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of this invention to provide a safe and convenient hand-held, effective device to help locate, visually observe, and safely remove a tick attached to the skin of a host, such as an animal or person including small pets and children, while minimizing the possibility of leaving small tick parts embedded under the skin that can result in infection, without the use of heated members or elements that could cause discomfort to the host.
This invention incorporates a spot light to locate and observe a tick as well as a positive and negative electrode formed as an elongated tweezer, having the tips shaped to hold a tick, and a unique electrical circuit, powered by two each 1½ volt internal batteries, connected in series and controlled by a manually operated “ON” or “OFF” switch.
The device is held in one hand, either right or left as desired, with the electrode tweezer held between the thumb and forefinger, the same as one would hold a pencil.
With the switch in the “ON” position, the spot light is illuminated, projecting a beam of light in front of the tweezer, and the electrode tweezer is energized. The user locates the tick and carefully positions the tick between the electrode tweezer tips and squeezes the tick. The tips of the tweeezer are formed to apply maximum pressure on the front end of the tick. Automatically, a small amount of current will pass through the tick, and the spot light will dim, indicating current flow. The tick will relax its grip on the skin and allow the user to lift it safely off the host. The small amount of current that passes through the tick is so minimal that a small pet or child cannot feel it.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5914062 (1999-06-01), Von Der Heyde
Buiz Michael
Bull Vy Q.
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