DEVICE, BRUSH, RANGE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING ACARINE PARASITES BY ROTATION

Abstract

A device for moving an acarine parasite which has penetrated the skin of a host, in particular a tick, has a drive, in particular an electromotive drive, which is received in a housing, and an attachment, which has an interface on the drive side and can be rotated about a rotational axis and which contains a number of fibers arranged in the form of bristles as a fiber assembly. The fiber assembly has a recess, preferably a coaxial recess, in particular a conical or truncated conical or parabolic recess, and a fiber wreath assembly, which is formed by the fibers at the free ends thereof along the circumference of the recess and which has at least one fiber wreath with a wreath width which is greater than or equal to 0.3 mm, preferably 0.8±0.4.

Claims

1. A device for removing an acarine parasite that has penetrated into skin of a host, the device comprising: a housing; a drive accommodated in said housing and having on a drive side an interface; and an attachment being rotatable about an axis of rotation and having a plurality of fibers disposed in a manner of a brush as a fiber configuration, wherein said fiber ring configuration having a recess formed therein, wherein said fibers forming said fiber ring configuration at free ends of said fibers along a circumference of said recess forming at least one fiber ring with a ring width of not less than 0.3 mm.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the ring width is less than 1.5 mm; and/or said fiber ring configuration is formed from two fiber rings, the ring width of which is between 0.4 mm and 1.2 mm.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said attachment together with said fiber configuration is a one-piece injection molding.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fiber configuration is concentric, with an axial length of inner fibers of said fibers being shorter than an axial length of radially outer fibers of said fibers.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fibers are disposed in at least two concentric fiber rings.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: said fibers have a triangular fiber cross section; and/or a free end of every one of said fibers ends in a fiber tip.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fiber ring configuration has a taper directed radially inward at an outer circumference of said free ends of said fibers.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein an external diameter of said fiber ring configuration is greater than 1 mm.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein: a length of said attachment with said fiber ring configuration is greater than 10 mm and less than 60 mm; and/or said length of said fiber ring configuration is greater than 1.5 mm and less than 30 mm.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a centering sleeve surrounding said fiber ring configuration.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said drive has a drive shaft that forms said interface and by said interface said attachment can be fitted to said fiber ring configuration in a fixed manner at an end of said drive shaft, said interface being a mechanical interface.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said drive has an electric motor and a reduction gear with a reduction being set such that a speed of said attachment with said fiber ring configuration being between 30 rpm and 150 rpm.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the device is configured for removing ticks; said drive is an electric motor drive; said recess is a coaxial recess in conical, frustoconical or paraboloid form; and said ring width is 0.8±0.4 mm.

14. The device according to claim 2, wherein: the ring width is not more than 1.4 mm; and/or said fiber ring configuration having said two fiber rings has the ring width being 1.0±0.2 mm.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein said fibers are disposed in 2 to 6 concentric fiber rings.

16. The device according to claim 6, wherein in said triangular fiber cross section, a triangular tip of said fibers is oriented radially outward.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein an external diameter of said fiber ring configuration is not less than 2 mm and less than 10 mm.

18. A brush attachment, comprising: a plurality of concentrically disposed fibers or fiber rings for removal of an acarine parasite that has penetrated into skin of a host for the device according to claim 1.

19. A range, comprising: a plurality of brush attachments of different size for the device according to claim 1.

20. A method of using a brush, which comprises the steps of: producing a one-piece injection molding having a fiber configuration with a recess formed therein; and removing ticks from skin of a host by means of a compressive force-free rotating motion of the brush.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a device provided and set up for removal of a tick that has penetrated into a host's skin, having a housing and having a rotor-driven (-drivable) attachment having a number of fibers arranged in the manner of a brush or bristles (brush attachment);

[0029] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the apparatus according to FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the brush attachment in a first variant (large) of a concentric fiber arrangement of the brush attachment;

[0031] FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along the line IIIB-IIIB shown in in FIG. 3A of the brush attachment in the first variant (large) of the concentric fiber arrangement of the brush attachment;

[0032] FIG. 3C is a top view of the brush attachment in a first variant (large) of the concentric fiber arrangement of the brush attachment;

[0033] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the brush attachment in a second variant of the concentric fiber arrangement of a medium-sized brush attachment;

[0034] FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB shown in FIG. 4A of the brush attachment in the second variant (middle) of the concentric fiber arrangement of the medium-sized brush attachment;

[0035] FIG. 4C is a top view of the brush attachment in the second variant (middle) of the concentric fiber arrangement of the medium-sized brush attachment;

[0036] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the brush attachment in a third variant (small) of the concentric fiber arrangement of the small-sized brush attachment;

[0037] FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the brush attachment in the third variant (small) taken along the line VB-VB shown in FIG. 5A of the centric fiber arrangement of the small-sized brush attachment; and

[0038] FIG. 5C is a top view of the brush attachment in the third variant (small) of the concentric fiber arrangement of the small-sized brush attachment; and

[0039] FIG. 6 a large-scale view of a single fiber of the brush attachment, looking at a fiber tip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Mutually corresponding parts and parameters are given the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0041] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIGS. 1-2 thereof, there is shown a device 1 that serves to remove an acarine parasite that has penetrated into a host's skin, especially a tick, and has a housing 2 and a brush attachment 3 releasably coupled at a (front) housing end face 4a to a drive 5 accommodated in the housing 2. The housing 2 is cylindrical and contains a grip surface with opposite recessed grips 6 for reliable handling of the device 1. The exchangeable brush attachment 3 coupled to the drive 5 is rotor-drivable or -driven about an axis of rotation D.

[0042] The drive 5 contains an electric motor 7 and a reduction gear 8, and also a drive shaft 9 to which the brush attachment 3 can be fitted or is fitted in a fixed manner at the end of the shaft. The drive shaft 9 thus forms a mechanical interface 10 for the brush attachment 3 at the housing end face 4a. An energy storage device 11 accommodated in the housing 2, especially one that is rechargeable, in the form of a battery or an accumulator, serves for power supply or supply of current to the electric motor 7 and hence for operation of the drive 5. For this purpose, contact pieces 12 within the housing are provided for electrical connection of the energy storage device 11 to the electric motor 8. The drive 5 may be switchable on and off by means of a switch or button 13 accessible from the outside. Preference is given to providing a button 13 with timer functionality. Particular preference is given to a switch-on time between 5 s (seconds) and 100 s, appropriately 5 s and 25 s. This is followed by automatic switch-off of the drive 5.

[0043] The housing 2 in the working example is executed in twin-shell form with an upper shell 2a and with a lower shell 2b. At the (rear) housing end face 4b of the housing 2 that is opposite the front end face 4a with the interface 11, the housing is provided with a receiving chamber (brush chamber) 14 with a chamber insert 14a for storage of brush attachments 3 of different size. A cap (screw cap) 15 releasably connected to the housing 2, especially screwed onto it, covers the receiving chamber 14. The cap 15 has an outer thread, and the housing 2 a corresponding inner thread. The effect of the cap 15, by means of the screw thread, is to exert an axial compressive force on the chamber insert 14a and via the latter the necessary contact force for the contacting of the contact elements 12 with the energy storage device 11. With the cap 15 removed, the chamber insert 14a can be taken out, such that the energy storage device 11 and/or the contact elements 12 can be removed from the housing 2.

[0044] At the front end face 4a, a preferably transparent centering sleeve 16 can be fitted or is fitted onto the housing 2. This ends flush with the brush attachment 3 at the free end.

[0045] By means of the reduction of the drive 5, a speed of the brush attachment 3 of especially (60±10) rpm or, for example, (120±10) rpm is established. The drive 5 may also be set up for a stepwise or continuous adjustment of speed.

[0046] The brush attachment 3 is a one-piece, i.e. one-part or monolithic, injection molding made of plastic. In other words, the brush attachment 3 is an attachment 3a having molded-on fibers in a brush-like arrangement, referred to hereinafter as fiber arrangement 3b. The rotor-driven fiber arrangement 3b is particularly suitable and advantageous for removal of ticks from a host's skin. The attachment 3a of the brush attachment 3 forms the mechanical interface 10 for the or to the drive 5. For this purpose, the attachment 5 has a shaft mount 17 open at the end, preferably with a flattened surface 18, for fixed coupling to the drive shaft 10. In a kinematic reversal, it is also possible for the drive shaft 10 to have the receptacle for a corresponding adapter of the attachment 3b at the end of the shaft. The attachment 3b is suitably clamp-fastened in a fixed and releasable manner to the drive shaft 10.

[0047] FIGS. 3A to 3C show the brush attachment 3 in a first variant (large), preferably for a fully grown tick, in perspective view (FIG. 3A) and in a section view (FIG. 3B) along the line IIIB-IIIB shown in FIG. 3A, and in a top view (from the end face) of the preferably concentric fiber arrangement 3a (FIG. 3C).

[0048] The fiber arrangement 3a is cylindrical (at the outer circumference) and circular in cross section. The fiber arrangement 3a has a coaxial recess (depression) 19. This extends axially proceeding from the free end of the fibers of the fiber arrangement 3b along the axis of rotation D, and tapers in the direction of the axis of rotation D in the axial direction A shown. The recess 19 serves to accommodate a parasite's or tick's body in that the brush attachment 3 with the recess (depression) 19 is placed over the tick's body that projects out of the host's skin, such that it is covered in the manner of a hood and is accommodated in the recess 19.

[0049] The fiber arrangement 3a is concentric, with the axial length of inner fibers being less than the axial length of radially outer fibers. In other words, the fibers of different fiber length form the recess 19 for positioning of the parasite's or tick's body projecting out of the host's skin. The advantageous frustoconical or paraboloid form of the recess 19, depending on the fiber thickness or cross-sectional fiber area and the difference in length of the fibers of the radially adjacent (theoretical) circular lines on which the fibers are each in a radially spaced arrangement as fiber rings F.sub.n (FIGS. 3 to 5), is stepped to a greater or lesser degree in axial direction A.

[0050] The recess 19 has the function of enclosing the tick's body in the manner of a hood by means of the fiber arrangement 3b of the brush attachment 3 without compressing, squeezing or injuring the tick's body, such that the tick within the recess 19 in the fiber arrangement 3b of the brush attachment 3 can rotate with the rotation with the tick's legs meshed and with the machine or device 1 switched on.

[0051] The fibers of the brush attachment 3 according to FIGS. 3A to 3C are arranged in five concentric (theoretical) circular lines, each of which forms a fiber ring F.sub.n. The diameter d of the outer fiber ring F.sub.1 of the fiber arrangement 3b in the working example is t=(7.2±0.2) mm. The circle diameter on which the fibers lie alongside one another here is 7 mm. The otherwise unspecified diameters of the fiber rings F.sub.2 to F.sub.5 that follow in the radially inward direction are each about 1.4 mm less in the working example from radially outward to radially in each case. The circle diameter on which these fibers lie alongside one another is between 1.4 mm and 5.6 mm.

[0052] The axial length L.sub.A of the attachment is about 23 mm. The axial length L.sub.F of the fibers or fiber rings in this working example is about 8 mm for the first outer and second fiber rings F.sub.1 and F.sub.2, about 5.0 mm for the third fiber ring F.sub.3, about 3.5 mm for the fourth fiber ring F.sub.4, and about 2.5 mm for the fifth fiber ring F.sub.5. The two fiber rings F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 form a fiber ring arrangement F.sub.12, the (radial) ring width b of which is suitably (1.0±0.2) mm.

[0053] FIGS. 4A to 4C show the brush attachment 3 in a second variant (middle), preferably for a nymph, in perspective view (FIG. 4A) and in a section view (FIG. 4B) along the line IVB-IVB in FIG. 4A, and in a top view (of the end) of the preferably concentric fiber arrangement 3a (FIG. 4C).

[0054] The fibers of the brush attachment 3 according to FIGS. 4A and 4B are arranged on four concentric (theoretical) circular lines that each in turn form a fiber ring F.sub.n. The diameter d of the outer fiber ring F.sub.1 of the fiber arrangement 3b in this working example of the medium-sized brush attachment 3 is about (4.6±0.2) mm. The external diameter of the fiber rings F.sub.2 to F.sub.4 that follow in radially inward direction, in the working example, are each about 1.2 mm smaller in turn from the radially outward to radially inward direction. The two outer fiber rings F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 again form the fiber ring arrangement F.sub.12.

[0055] The axial length L.sub.A of the attachment is about 26 mm. The axial length L.sub.F of the fibers or fiber rings F.sub.n on these circular lines in this working example is about 5 mm for the first outer and second fiber rings F.sub.1, F.sub.2, about 3.5 mm for the third fiber ring F.sub.3, and about 1.9 mm for the fourth fiber ring F.sub.4. The (radial) ring width b of the two outer fiber rings F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 that form the fiber ring arrangement F.sub.12 is again suitably (1.0±0.1).

[0056] FIGS. 5A to 5C show the brush attachment 3 in a third variant (small), preferably for a larva, in perspective view (FIG. 5A) and in a section view (FIG. 5B) along the line VB-VB in FIG. 5A and in a top view (of the end) of the preferably concentric fiber arrangement 3a (FIG. 5C).

[0057] The fibers of the brush attachment 3 according to FIGS. 5A to 5B are arranged on three concentric (theoretical) circular lines, each of which again forms a fiber ring F.sub.n. The diameter d of the outer fiber ring F.sub.1 of the fiber ring arrangement 3b in this working example of the small-sized brush attachment 3 is about 3.6 mm. The external diameter of the fiber rings F.sub.2 and F.sub.3 that follow in radially inward direction, in the working example, are each about 1.2 mm smaller in turn. The (radial) ring width b of the two outer fiber rings F.sub.1 and F.sub.2 that form the fiber ring arrangement F.sub.12 is again suitably (1.0±0.1) mm.

[0058] The axial length L.sub.A of the attachment in this working example is about 28 mm. The axial length L.sub.F of the fibers of the outer fiber ring F.sub.1 is 3 mm. The axial length of the fibers of the inner fiber ring F.sub.3 that is concentric thereto and has triangle tips directed alternately outward and inward is about 2.8 for the fibers with triangle tips directed outward and 2.5 mm for the fibers with triangle tips directed inward.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6 by an individual fiber 20 of the brush attachment 3, the fibers are triangular in cross section. One of the triangle tips of the fibers 20 is oriented radially outward. Only in the embodiment according to FIGS. 5A to 5C are the triangle tips of the fibers of the inner fiber ring F.sub.3 directed alternately inward and outward in circumferential direction.

[0060] The free end of the fiber 20 at least of the outer fiber ring F.sub.1 ends in a fiber tip 21. It is advantageous here that the fiber tips 21 have a slope 22 running radially inward, such that the fiber arrangement 3b, at the outer circumference of the free ends of the fibers—i.e. at the free ends of the fibers—has a taper directed radially inwards formed by the slopes 22. What this achieves is that, when the fiber arrangement 3b of the brush attachment 3 is fitted, the free ends of the fibers, in the case of appropriate axial exertion of pressure on the host's skin, preferentially give way in the inward direction (radially inward) and are less likely to give way in the (radially) outward direction. This advantageously improves the efficacy of the device 1 in the removal of the tick that has penetrated into the host's skin.

[0061] The width or thickness of an (individual) fiber 20 (beneath the fiber tip 21) is preferably 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm, for example about 0.34 mm at the narrowest site and about 0.4 mm at the broadest site. The side of the triangle 23 opposite the fiber tip 21 is curved inward in the form of a circular arc. In the arrangement of the fibers 20 to give the circular ring F.sub.n, this achieves a very exact circular shape. The fiber rings F.sub.n are suitably spaced apart from one another, with the radial distance between adjacent fiber rings F.sub.n being about 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, preferably 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0062] By means of the device 1, even after a few rotations of the brush attachment 3 rotor-driven about the axis of rotation D, achieves the effect that the tick detaches its puncture apparatus from the host's skin and leaves the puncture site. The coaxial recess 19 that tapers axially achieves the effect here that the fibers move between the extremities of the tick (the tick's legs). This enables the desired rotary movement of the tick within the puncture site and ensures reliable parting of the tick from the puncture site. The tick is removed here from the host's skin in a particularly simple and reliable manner and especially virtually without destruction, and the detached tick is then in the recess 19 of the brush attachment 3.

[0063] In the handling of the device 1, the brush attachment 3 and especially its fiber arrangement 3b with the recess 19, by means of the transparent centering sleeve 16, are positioned exactly over the tick in order to position the tick's body with certainty in the recess 19 of the brush attachment 3. The centering sleeve 16 fitted onto the housing 2 ends flush with the free fiber ends of the brush attachment 3 or is slightly axially offset with respect to the latter. The centering sleeve 16 may be fitted on the housing 2 in a removable manner. The centering sleeve 16 is preferably disposed on the housing 2 such that it cannot be lost, and is appropriately movable axially thereon, it being possible for the centering sleeve 16 to be latched in the forward position shown and/or in a withdrawn position.

[0064] The cylindrical centering sleeve 16 has a diameter of 9 mm to 30 mm, preferably (20±5) mm. The function thereof is firstly to provide a protective shell for the brush attachment 3 in order to avoid unnecessary wear or unwanted bending of the brush attachment 3. Secondly, it is ensured that a user, by virtue of the fitting of the centering sleeve 16 on the skin, is able to implement reliable use within the circumference around the tick centered in the middle by means of the sleeve circle. More particularly, by means of the centering sleeve 16, it is possible to establish a controlled minimum fitting pressure of the brush attachment 3 to the host's skin. Therefore, the centering sleeve 16 should conclude at the front (end) very exactly with the free ends of the fibers, such that the fiber arrangement 3b and the centering sleeve 16 are in simultaneous contact with the skin. Moreover, the centering sleeve 16 prevents the tick from falling downward after release.

[0065] The device 1, on utilization thereof, especially at parts of the body that are difficult to access, can be employed without or with the centering sleeve 16 retracted axially. After utilization, the brush attachment 3 should be cleaned, disinfected, or exchanged if necessary.

[0066] In summary, the invention relates to a device 1 for removing an acarine parasite that has penetrated into a host's skin, having a drive 5 accommodated in a housing 2 and an attachment 3, 3a that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a brush-like fiber arrangement 3b having a recess 19, wherein a fiber ring arrangement F.sub.12 formed by the fibers at their free ends along the circumference of the recess 19 has a ring with b between 0.3 mm and 1.4 mm, especially (0.8±0.4) mm. In a particularly advantageous configuration, the attachment 3a together with the fibers or with the fiber arrangement 3b—i.e. the brush attachment 3—forms a one-piece injection molding, especially made of plastic.

[0067] The invention claimed is not limited to the working examples described above. Instead, other variants of the invention can also be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art within the scope of the claims disclosed without leaving the subject-matter of the invention claimed. More particularly, in addition, all individual features described in connection with the various working examples, within the scope of the claims disclosed, are also combinable in other ways within the scope of the claims disclosed without leaving the subject-matter of the invention claimed. For instance, the brush attachment can also—effectively as a brush—be used manually to remove an acarine parasite that has penetrated into a host's skin, especially a tick.

[0068] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:

1 device
2 housing
2a upper shell
2b lower shell
3 brush attachment
3a attachment
3b fiber arrangement
4a (forward) housing end face
4b (rear) housing end face
5 drive
6a grip surface
6b recessed grip
8 electric motor
8 reduction gear
9 drive shaft
10 interface
11 energy storage means
12 contact element/piece
13 switch/button
14 receiving chamber
14a chamber insert
15 cap
16 centering sleeve
17 shaft mount
17 flattened surface
19 recess/depression
20 fiber
21 fiber tip
22 slope/taper
A axial direction
F.sub.n fiber ring
D axis of rotation
b ring width
d diameter
L.sub.A attachment length
L.sub.F fiber length