Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An instrument for treating a horny structure on an animal body, the instrument comprising first and second jaws (5,6) adapted to grip part of a horny structure therebetween, and means (2,3) for closing and opening the jaws (5,6), characterised in that electrical heating means (13) is arranged to heat at least a portion (10) of the first jaw (5), and control means (20) is arranged to control the heating current through the electrical heating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An instrument for treating a horny structure on an animal body, the instrument comprising first and second jaws (5,6) adapted to grip part of a horny structure therebetween, and means (2,3) for closing and opening the jaws (5,6), characterised in that electrical heating means (13) is arranged to heat at least a portion (10) of the first jaw (5), and control means (20) is arranged to control the heating current through the electrical heating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
An instrument according to Claim 1, being adapted to treat nails.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument according to Claim 1 or 2, in the form of a pair of pliers or forceps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said control means comprises a timer arranged to allow said current to flow for a predetermined time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument according to Claim 4, wherein the timer includes indicator means arranged to indicate operation of the timer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein said control means is operative to limit said current to a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein said control means includes temperature sensor means arranged to sense temperature in the vicinity of said first jaw portion, and said control means is arranged to control said current in response to an output of said sensor means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said jaws has an area which is arranged to be disposed adjacent the body of an animal and is so arranged as to undergo no appreciable rise in temperature under any heating effect of said heating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument according to Claim 8, wherein said one jaw has a heat mass which is high relative to that of said first jaw portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein said one jaw is thermally insulated from said first jaw portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
An instrument for use in treating a horny structure on an animal body, the instrument comprising first and second jaws (5,6) adapted to grip part of a horny structure therebetween and means (2,3) for closing and opening the jaws (5,6) characterised in that electrical heating means (13) is provided to heat at least a portion (10) of the first jaws (5), and at least one of the jaws (5,6) has an area (16) which is arranged to be disposed adjacent the body of an animal and is so arranged as to undergo no appreciable rise in temperature under any heating effect of said heating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
105 words
An instrument for use in treating a horny structure on an animal body, the instrument comprising first and second jaws (5,6) adapted to grip part of a horny structure therebetween and means (2,3) for closing and opening the jaws (5,6) characterised in that electrical heating means (13) is provided to heat at least a portion (10) of the first jaws (5), and at least one of the jaws (5,6) has an area (16) which is arranged to be disposed adjacent the body of an animal and is so arranged as to undergo no appreciable rise in temperature under any heating effect of said heating means.