Patent ID: 7793666

Claim:
Apparatus for treating an infected nail of a digit of a patient comprising: an enclosure that functions to (i) house at least a distal end of at least one digit of a patient having an infected nail; and (ii) contain a nail infection agent-containing member or sponge member comprising a nail infection agent and positionable against the infected nail at the distal end of the digit housed within the enclosure; a heater member maintained against and in a heat-transfer relationship with the nail infection agent; whereby the heated nail infection agent is adapted to be applied to and maintained against the infected nail by the nail infection agent-containing member for a therapeutically effective period of time; and, a pressure application component specifically designed to provide a localized pressure that forces (i) the heater member against the nail infection agent-containing member or sponge member and (ii) the nail infection agent-containing member or sponge member against the infected nail; wherein, the application of pressure facilitates maintaining the nail infection agent against the infected nail for the therapeutically effective period of time; wherein, the pressure application component adjustably attaches the nail infection agent-containing member or sponge member, and the heater member, within the enclosure to allow for an adjustment of the position of the members, wherein the adjustment is a movement of the members relative to a dorsal surface of the infected nail to provide the localized application of pressure on the infected nail; whereby, the apparatus facilitates a trans-keratin drug delivery of the nail infection agent through the infected nail in a dark, warm, and moist environment that prevents the growth of fungi in the infected nail.