Patent Publication Number: US-2007112379-A1

Title: Device for the removal of ticks from the body of humans or animals

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention is concerned with a device for the removal of ticks from the skin of humans and animals, comprising a forceps configuration for grasping the tick&#39;s body in the region of the skin surface, as well as a reservoir having a valve for a freeze spray to be sprayed onto the tick&#39;s body prior to its removal. To the extent that a tick&#39;s body is mentioned here, this shall also include so-called nymphs.  
      2. Background Art  
      A device of this type is known from DE 203 07 382 U1.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention is based on the object of improving a device, the generic type of which is assumed to be known, in such a way that it can be produced even more cost effectively and manipulated even more easily.  
      This object is met according to the invention in such a way that a main body is provided that has a hollow space for accommodating the reservoir for the defrosting [sic] spray, a discharge nozzle for the freeze spray on the underside of the main body, and a forceps configuration extending around the main body into the region below the discharge nozzle.  
      This design results in a highly compact configuration and permits the main body and forceps configuration to be injection-molded from plastic as one piece, so that the entire device consists only of one injection-molded piece.  
      In a further improvement of the invention, provision is made for the forceps configuration to have two legs that are symmetrical to each other, each leg comprising an actuation section and a forceps section, each leg being convexly arched outward, and each leg being pivot-mounted in the transition region between the actuation section and forceps section in such a way that when a pulling force is exerted onto the actuation section in an inward direction, the associated forceps section is moved outward. This permits a simple and uncomplicated operation with one hand.  
      Each pivot bearing is preferably formed at the outer end of a cross brace that is disposed on the underside of the main body, especially in such a way that both ends of the cross brace have bearing openings formed on them that are circular-segment shaped in cross-section, into which a bearing projection of corresponding cross-section of the respective leg can be locked in place that extends away from the inside of the leg in the transition region of the actuation section and forceps section.  
      The outsides of the actuation sections preferable have a ribbed surface in order to render them non-slipping.  
      The invention will be explained in more detail below based on a preferred example embodiment, in conjunction with the drawing.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of an inventive device in the initial position, and  
       FIG. 2  shows an illustration corresponding to  FIG. 1  with pressure being exerted laterally in an inward direction. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      A device  1  shown in the drawing for the removal of ticks comprises a main body  2  having a longitudinal recess  3  for accommodating a reservoir  4  for a freeze spray. Formed on the underside of the main body  2  is a transversely extending link section  5 , extending through which is a channel  6  for the freeze spray, which opens into a discharge nozzle  7 .  
      Formed on the underside of the recess  3  is an annular collar  8 , against which a valve actuation element, which is not shown in the drawing, on the underside of the reservoir  4  is supported, so that when pressure is exerted onto the bottom  9  of the reservoir in the direction of the arrow  10 , freeze spray is emitted.  
      Formed as one piece with the main body  2  is a forceps configuration  11  comprising two legs  12  that extend convexly arched outward from the upper side of the main body  2  along both sides of it into the region below the discharge nozzle  7 .  
      Each leg  12  comprises an actuation section  13  having a ribbed surface  14 , and a forceps section  15  incorporating one each forceps extension  16  extending inward from the forceps section  15 , bent at right angle, at its underside.  
      Provided on the underside of the link section  5  is a transverse link  19 , at the two outer ends of which bearing sections  20  are formed, into which a bearing extension  21  of the legs  12  engages that is formed between the actuation section  13  and forceps section  15 .  
      Because of the pivot bearing  22  that is created in this manner, the exertion of pressure in the direction of the arrows  17  onto the actuation sections  13  results in the forceps extensions  16  being moved apart.  
      This means that when the device  1  is grasped with one hand on both sides of the legs  12 , pressure can be exerted with the thumb or index finger in the direction of the arrow  10  onto the front end  9  of the reservoir  4 , the legs  12  having first been pushed together inward in the direction of the arrows  17 . This results in the forceps extensions  16  being moved apart, so that a gap  18 , which is apparent in  FIG. 2 , is created that makes it possible to grasp around or underneath the tick&#39;s body in the region of the skin surface. When pressure is no longer exerted onto the actuation sections  13 , the forceps sections  15  close, due to the elastic reset force of the legs  12 . After the freezing process the tick&#39;s body can be removed from the skin effortlessly and without pain. As a result of the inventive design the freeze spray is aimed precisely onto the tick to be grasped. This results in a flash freezing, causing the tick to instantaneously become completely immobile, and all organs and the stomach content of the tick to become frozen. This prevents increased amounts of Borreliosis pathogens from being able to enter into the bite wound. The flash-frozen tick can be removed better and more easily.