WO2012098552A1

WO2012098552A1 - An apparatus and method for an unconstrained pull on a nail

Info

Publication number: WO2012098552A1
Application number: PCT/IL2012/050021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aharon Liberson; Shmuel Lieberson; Anton Uskov; Eugeny Liberson
Original assignee: Toefix Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-01-23
Filing date: 2012-01-23
Publication date: 2012-07-26
Also published as: WO2012098552A4

Abstract

A non-invasive apparatus for pulling up a portion of a nail, comprising an adjustable puller and an anchor, wherein the puller and the anchor are both removably mountable independently of each other on an external plate of a nail and a link for connecting between the puller and the anchor, providing the puller to pull the anchor, and consequently pulling a portion of the nail, by an adjustable upward force in an unconstrained orientation relative to the anchor, and a method for using the same.

Description

AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN UNCONSTRAINED PULL ON A NAIL

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from US application Serial No. 61/435,305, filed on January 23, 2011.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to non-invasively exerting an adjustable force in an unconstrained direction on a nail, and more particularly to pulling a portion of a nail.

Some non-invasive methods and apparatus of pulling or modifying the shape of an ingrown nail are known in the art. For example, US Patent 5,394,890 to Lambert reports a device adhesively attachable to the top surface of a toenail to utilize incremental wedging to gradually uplift and reverse upwardly the directionally-ingrown tissue embedment of the nail corner-points, or US Patent 5,261,872 to Goldenberg that reports a thin, flat resilient strip adhesively attached to the toenail and extends to either opposite side of the toenail effecting a torque on the nail.

Other examples are US Patent 4,057,055 to Clarke reporting a pair of spaced apart members adhered to the surface of the nail generally along the lateral margins thereof and one or more tensioned elastomeric members are secured to the members to impart a compressive force to the nail, or US patent 4,068,656 to Barmore that reports an insert means adapted to be positioned under the nail edges adjacent the forward portion of the nail and a resilient member coacting with the insert means and acting on the top portion of the nail and biasing the insert means into and against the nail underside edges.

Another example is US Patent 7,008,391 to Machida that reports a tubular member having holes distributed over the tubular member and a slit with saw-tooth edges and a C-shaped cross section, where a side edge of a nail plate is inserted into the slit and the saw-tooth edges secure the tubular member to the nail plate while a super elastic wire is inserted into one or more holes to fix the wire to the tubular member.

Also, US Application 2009/048551 to one of the present inventors (A. Liberson) reporting a device for treating ingrown nail comprising a releasing portion adapted to be connected to the ingrown nail plate surface and an adjustable portion adapted to exert changeable force on the releasing portion so as to elevate portions of the nail plate surface.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a non-invasive apparatus for pulling up a portion of a nail, comprising an adjustable puller and an anchor, wherein the puller and the anchor are both removably mountable independently of each other on an external plate of a nail, and a link for connecting between the puller and the anchor, providing the puller to pull the anchor, and consequently pulling a portion of the nail, by an adjustable upward force in an unconstrained orientation relative to the anchor.

Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a method for non-invasively pulling a nail up, comprising removably mounting a provided anchor on a portion of a nail, removably mounting a provided puller on the nail independently of the position on the nail of the provided anchor, connecting the provided anchor and the provided puller by a provided link, and adjusting the provided puller to exert an adjusted force on the provided anchor via the provided link, thereby exerting an adjustable upward force on the portion of the nail.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is kit for noninvasive apparatus for pulling up a portion of a nail by an adjustable force in an unconstrained direction, comprising an at least one adjustable puller removably mountable on a nail, an at least one anchor removably mountable on a nail, and an at least one link connectible between the puller and the anchor.

In the context of some embodiments of the present disclosure, without limiting, a toe is a toe or a person having a nail, the person referred to also as a subject.

In the context of the present disclosure, without limiting, referring to 'above' or 'up' or similar directional aspects implies a direction or aspect generally above the external plate of a nail, and oppositely to 'below' or 'under' or similar directional aspects.

In the context of the present disclosure, without limiting, referring to 'upward force' or an analogous term with respect to a force such as 'upwardly force' implies a force having a directional or a vector component directed upward from the external plate of a nail.

In the context of the present disclosure, without limiting, referring to a surface of a nail implies the surface of the external plate of a nail. In the context of the present disclosure, without limiting, the term 'puller' implies one who, or that which, pulls (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)) and/or something that applies force so as to cause motion toward itself or something that pulls or tugs or drags in an effort to move something (based on WordNet 3.0, © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.).

In the context of the present disclosure, without limiting, the term 'anchor' implies a rigid point of support, as for securing a rope (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company, Updated in 2009).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some non-limiting exemplary embodiments or features of the disclosed subject matter are illustrated in the following drawings.

Identical or duplicate or equivalent or similar structures, elements, or parts that appear in one or more drawings are generally labeled with the same reference numeral, optionally with an additional letter or letters to distinguish between similar objects or variants of objects, and may not be repeatedly labeled and/or described.

Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale or true perspective. For convenience or clarity, some elements or structures are not shown or shown only partially and/or with different perspective or from different point of views.

References to previously presented elements are implied without necessarily further citing the drawing or description in which they appear.

Fig. 1A schematically illustrates a side view of a non- invasive apparatus for pulling a portion of a nail, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. IB schematically illustrates a side view of a non- invasive apparatus for pulling a portion of a nail, as of Fig. 1A, after bending, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 1C schematically illustrates a top view of a non-invasive apparatus for pulling a portion of a nail, as of Fig. IB, after bending, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. ID schematically illustrates hooks as gripping structures, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. IE schematically illustrates secured hooks as gripping structures, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. IF schematically illustrates pegs as gripping structures, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 1G schematically illustrates hooks as gripping structures, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 1H schematically illustrates a link as a cord comprising an anchor, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure; Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the mounted apparatus of Fig. 1A where the contact surfaces are shaped to generally match a contour of a nail, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 3A schematically illustrates an anchor with a handle, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 3B schematically illustrates a handle of an anchor after removal therefrom for use as a screwdriver, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 3C schematically illustrates a threaded handle of an anchor and a thread in flexible member of a puller, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 3D schematically illustrates a removed handle of Fig. 3C in thread of the puller of Fig. 3C, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 4A schematically illustrates an anchor with a handle shaped as a wedge, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 4B schematically illustrates a removed handle of Fig. 4A inserted into a puller and bending a flexible member thereof, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 5A schematically illustrates a screw bending a flexible arm of a puller (similar to Fig. IB), according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 5B schematically illustrates a clipped screw bending a flexible arm of a puller (similar to Fig. IB), according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a variation of a non-invasive apparatus for pulling two portions of a nail having a puller with two bending arms and corresponding two adjusting screws for simultaneous pulling two anchors, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 7 illustrates a protective cover, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 8A schematically illustrates a kit for non-invasively pulling a portion of a nail with some accompanying accessories, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

Fig. 8B schematically illustrates a kit for non-invasively pulling a portion of a nail, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure; Fig. 9A schematically outlines operations of using a non-invasive removable apparatus for pulling a portion of a nail, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure; and

Fig. 9B schematically illustrates operations of using a non-invasive removable apparatus for pulling a portion of a nail, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One technical problem dealt by the disclosed subject matter is elevating a portion of a nail by an adjustable force applied from any direction and orientation relative to the nail portion.

One technical solution according to the disclosed subject matter is a member, referred to also as an anchor, that is attached on the external plate of a nail at or on a portion of the nail to be pulled up, and a pulling structure, referred to also as a puller, that can be placed anywhere on the external plate of the nail or on another nail independently of the anchor, wherein the puller controllably pulls the anchor upwardly by a link therebetween, thereby elevating the portion of the nail.

A potential technical effect of the disclosed subject matter is an apparatus that can elevate a portion of a nail, such as an ingrown nail, wherein the pulling member of the apparatus can be placed unrestrictedly on the upper surface of the nail or another nail.

A general non-limiting overview of practicing the disclosure is presented below. The overview outlines exemplary practice of embodiments of the disclosure, providing a constructive basis for variant and/or alternative and/or divergent embodiments, some of which are subsequently described.

Fig. 1A schematically illustrates a side view of an apparatus 100 for non- invasively pulling a portion of a nail, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Apparatus 100 comprises a structure, referred to as a puller 110, comprising a basis 104 and an extension member, referred to as an arm 102. Puller 110 is deformable such as by forming or adapting arm 102 as bendable and/or twistable and/or hinged and/or flexible and/or otherwise movable or relative to basis 104.

In some embodiments, the bending and/or moving and/or deformation of puller 110 produces or creates a reactive or resistive force tending to restore the original structure of puller 110.

Bending and/or moving and/or deformation of puller 1 10, such as by arm 102, is adjustable, as described below for some exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, puller 110 is also referred to as adjustable or as an adjustable puller. Apparatus 100 further comprises a member separate from puller 110, the member referred to as an anchor 120.

Puller 110 and anchor 120 are removably mounted on a nail surface 190 by surfaces thereof, namely, surface 106 and surface 126, respectively. Nail surface 190 represents a surface of an external plate of a nail, such as of nail 150 illustrated in Fig. 1C.

Arm 102 and anchor 120 are connected therebetween by a link as a cord 130 connecting between a hole 108 of or in puller 110 and a hole 122 of or in anchor 120. Arm 102 has a thread 142 in which a screw 140 is threaded. Thread 142 is indicated by an arrow, and further illustrated in Fig. 3C.

By turning of screw 140 against basis 104 of puller 110, arm 102 is bended or deformed upwardly against a resistive force due to the structure of puller 110, thereby stretching link 130 that exerts a force on anchor 120 which, consequently, pulls up a portion of nail 150, such as an ingrown portion of a nail, and releasing and/or loosening and/or elevating the portion of nail 150.

Thus, anchor 120 provides a holding or grasping means to a portion of the nail on one hand, and a holding or grasping means for upwardly pull on the another hand.

By controlling or adjusting the turning of screw 140, the deformation of puller 110 and/or the bending of arm 102 is adjusted, thereby the force exerted on anchor 120, and consequently on the portion of the nail, is adjusted. Thus puller 110 can exert an adjustable force on anchor 120 and, consequently, on the portion of the nail, thereby adjusting loosening and/or releasing and/or elevating the portion of the nail.

Fig. IB schematically illustrates a side view of apparatus 100 after bending of arm 102 by screw 140 and stretching link 130.

By varying the extent by which screw 140 is pushed toward basis 104, and consequently the bending of arm 102, the force on anchor 120, and consequently the force exerted on the portion of nail 150 about anchor 120, is adjusted.

Fig. 1C schematically illustrates a top view of apparatus 100 on nail 150, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. With respect to the surface of nail 150, Fig. 1C illustrates the unconstrained position or orientation of anchor 120, and/or orientation or angle of link 130, relative to puller 110. The unconstrained orientation is illustrated by an arrow 155 depicting the relative orientation of anchor 120, and/or of link 130, relative to a longitudinal dimension 154 of puller 110 or any other dimension thereof that is projectable on the nail surface.

Anchor 120 is disposed, at least typically, at an ingrown portion of a nail and/or at another portion intended for elevation. Nevertheless, puller 110 can be disposed at any convenient location and/or orientation on mail surface 190 of nail 150, independently or practically independently of the position of anchor 120, while still providing an upward force on the nail's portion, thus allowing for unconstrained orientation 155.

Generally, puller 1 10 functions as a crane where arm 102 is bendable and acting as an adjustable lever exerting an adjustable upward force on a portion of nail 150 via link 130, wherein anchor 120 provides a contact of link 130 with nail 150, thereby pulling and/or elevating the portion of nail 150.

It should be emphasized that the general structure of puller 110 is only a schematic example and other shapes or structures or variations may be used to provide a flexible or a bending member or an arm or a lever for exerting an adjustable force on nail 150 via a contact such as anchor 120, wherein the position or orientation of the contact relative to puller 110 or another structure for exerting force is not restricted or constrained.

In some embodiments, the pivotal bending point or axis or effective or virtual axis is over nail 150, while in some embodiments, the axis extends beyond nail 150 such as over the toe or an adjoining nail or a toe. For example, surface 106 is mounted on nail 150 while puller 110 extends beyond nail 150.

Apparatus 100 and parts and/or components thereof as illustrated in Fig. 1 to Fig. 1C is also referred to in the following description as a non-limiting example that represents a non-invasive apparatus for pulling a portion of a nail, such as apparatus 100 and/or variations or modifications thereof.

In some embodiments, link 130 comprises or constitutes a cord or a wire or a thread or a string or a chain, and/or an elastic element such as a spring or a rubber band or a rubber cord, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, link 130 comprises other elements and/or mechanisms, such as a magnetic or an electric attraction produced by a magnet or an electric charge, respectively. Link 130 is connected to arm 102 by any structure of arm 102 that grips or holds link 130. For example, one or more hooks, or one ore more pegs, or one or more holes such as hole 108, or a multiplicity of hole 108 that represents any structure for gripping or fastening link 130 to arm 102.

Fig. ID schematically illustrates a multiplicity of a cut or an indent 160 as a gripping structure, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. IE schematically illustrates a multiplicity of a secured hook as a gripping structure, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, indent 160 is provided with a flap 162 that secures a link such as cord 130 by allowing insertion of link 130 into indent 160 but prevents link 130 from slipping out. For example, an optional pivot or rotational structure, represented by circle 164, is connected to flap 162 and allows free rotation of flap 162 in the direction depicted by a dotted arrow 169, but bounces back by a spring or other mechanisms, thereby forming a structure as or similar to a unidirectional latch.

Fig. IF schematically illustrates a multiplicity of a peg 166 as a gripping or holding structure, and Fig. 1G schematically illustrates a multiplicity of a hook 168 as a gripping structure, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Similarly, in some embodiments, anchor 120 can have various gripping or holding structures for connecting to link 130, represented by hole 122. For example, a hook as or similar to hook 168.

In some embodiments, link 130 is connected to puller 110 and/or anchor 120 by bonding such as by glue or other fastening methods such as welding.

In some embodiments, having a plurality of gripping structures, such as multiplicity of hole 108 or multiplicity of indent 160 or multiplicity of peg 166, allows selecting a convenient positioning of puller 110 with respect to anchor 120, and/or selecting different force moments on link 130 for convenient adjustment of the force exerted by screw 140, and/or convenient positioning or placing of link 130 with anchor 120.

In some embodiments, link 130 is pre-connected with puller 110 and anchor 120. Optionally or alternatively, link 130 is connected after puller 110 and anchor 120 are mounted on nail 150. Optionally or alternatively, link 130 is pre-connected to one or both of puller 110 and/or anchor 120.

In some embodiments, link 130 is formed such that anchor 120 can be dispensed of. For example, link 130 comprises or made of a flexible plastic band, optionally with a pad at one end that can be directly mounted on a portion of the nail. As another example, link 130 is a wire which is tangled into a ball at one end to be directly bonded to a portion of the nail. Optionally or alternatively, link 130 comprises, such as at or about an end thereof, a pad or other structure operative or used or effective as anchor 120, as illustrated in Fig. 1H that schematically illustrates a link 130 as a cord comprising an anchor 120x, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, puller 110 and/or anchor 120 are removably bonded to nail 150, such as by epoxy or cyanoacrylate or other glues. Optionally or alternatively, puller 110 and/or anchor 120 are removably bonded to the nail by heating and/or partially melting the some thickness at surfaces thereof and sticking or pushing the surfaces on nail 150. Optionally or alternatively, the surfaces of the puller and/or anchor comprise a material that when heated or chemically treated, such as by dipping in a solvent, are temporarily or transiently softened and stick to nail surface 190 of nail 150. In some embodiments, puller 110 and anchor 120 can be removed from nail 150 by dissolving in a solvent and/or heating or by other methods such as applying ultrasonic vibrations, and subsequently pulling puller 110 and anchor 120 off nail 150.

In some embodiments, in order to provide a sufficient or adequate contact of puller 110 and/or anchor 120 with nail 150, at least a better contact relative to a contact with a generally flat plane, at least a part of surface 106 and/or surface 126 of puller 110 and/or anchor 120, respectively, are generally shaped as or sufficiently similar to the general curvature of nail 150 in a region of nail 150 about which the respective components are to be mounted. In some embodiments, at least a part of surface 106 and/or surface 126 of puller 110 and/or anchor 120, respectively, are rough or jagged or coarse while yet having the a general shape or outline sufficiently similar to the general curvature of nail 150 in a region of nail 150 about which the respective components are to be mounted. Without limiting, referring herein to a general shape or general curvature implies ignoring minor details or irregularities that are ineffective in or for practicing embodiments of the disclosure, and referring herein to sufficiently similar to a shape implies effectively as the shape, though not necessarily accurately, in or for practicing embodiments of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, puller 110 and/or anchor 120, at least in region or regions in contact with or sufficiently close to surface 106 or surface 126 thereof, respectively, comprise a soft plastic or other soft material that can be filed or scraped or grinded by simple hand tools. Optionally or additionally, puller 1 10 and/or anchor 120 are heated and/or partially dissolved and/or at least partially melted such that when pressed on nail 150, surface 106 and/or surface 126 acquire the general shape of the nail curvature about the pressed region. In some embodiments, puller 110 and/or anchor 120 comprise a shear- thinning material that adapts to the contour of a portion of the nail under a suitable pressure and retains the shape after the pressure is stopped. Optionally or alternatively, the material about surface 106 and/or surface 126 of puller 110 and/or anchor 120, respectively, comprises or constitutes sponge or foam that is compressible and easily acquires the shape or curvature on which the material is mounted while providing contact area for bonging or gluing and volume for the gluing.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates apparatus 100 mounted on nail 150 wherein the contact surfaces 106a of puller 110 and contact surface 126a of anchor 120 are generally shaped to match the contour of nail surface 190 of nail 150 at the region of contact, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, basis 104 of puller 110 shaped for convenient and/or suitable mounting on nail 150, such as having a shoe-like shape for easy or convenient scalping or grinding for shaping according to the general curvature or contour of nail 150. Optionally, surface 106 of puller 110 is grooved or pitted or roughened for adequate contact with glue and/or for pressing to acquire a shape sufficiently similar to the general curvature or contour of nail 150.

In some embodiments, nail 150 or part thereof is softened or grooved allowing an axis of movement of the ingrown part. The softening or grooving may be carried out chemically such as by soaking in surfactant solution and/or physically such a by grinding, scratching, drilling or burring. In some embodiments, according to the description above, puller 110 is placed on a first nail while anchor 120 is placed on second nail, such as a neighboring nail, wherein the second nail is pulled by anchor 120 by the force excreted by puller 110 on the first nail via link 130.

Since at least in some embodiments anchor 120 is small relative to nail 150 and should be placed on an appropriate portion of nail 150, handling with anchor 120 might be awkward and difficult, while extending anchor 120 up with a fixed stem or elongation may prevent the operation of apparatus 100 on nail 150 and/or may be inconvenient to use. Therefore, in some embodiments, anchor 120 comprises a removable handle, or a handgrip or a knob or a hilt, collectively referred to as 'handle', adapted for mounting of anchor 120 on nail 150 and subsequently removing the handle.

In some embodiments, the subsequently removed handle is used for modifying the shape of puller 1 10 to adjust the force on anchor 120. For example, the handle of anchor 120 after removal therefrom comprises a tip as a screwdriver matching the top of screw 140.

Fig. 3A schematically illustrates anchor 120 with a handle 300 that is optionally removable from anchor 120, wherein handle 300 comprises a gripping part or gripper 302 and a stem 304, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, handle 300 is connected to anchor 120 by a narrow neck, as indicated by an arrow 390, such that by pulling and/or twisting gripper 302 handle 300 is separated from anchor 120. Optionally, other manners or mechanism are used for removably connecting handle 300 to anchor 120. For example, the lower end of stem 304 nearby anchor 120 and remote from gripper 302 is removably inserted in an indentation or a notch in anchor 120 like a plug and socket, or handle 300 is loosely glued or bonded with anchor 120.

Fig. 3B schematically illustrates handle 300 after removal from anchor 120 adequate or satisfactorily convenient for using an end 306 thereof as a screwdriver for screw 140 of puller 110 by turning gripper 302, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, other variations of handle 300 and usage thereof in adjusting puller 110 are used or may be used, some of which are described as examples below.

Fig. 3C schematically illustrates handle 300 of anchor 120 with screw-thread, as indicated by bracket 310, and a thread 142 in arm 102 of puller 110, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. After mounting anchor 120, handle 300 is removed from anchor 120 and inserted into thread 142 so that handle 300 can be used in place of or as an alternative to screw 140, as illustrated in Fig. 3D.

Fig. 4A schematically illustrates an anchor 120 with a handle 300 the stem of which 400 is shaped as a wedge, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. The cross-section of wedge 400 can be rectangular, circular, ellipsoid or any other shape such as polygonal shape.

Fig. 4B schematically illustrates how handle 300 having a wedge shape, such as after removing from anchor 120, is inserted into puller 110 between basis 104 and arm 102 thereof, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, wherein for clarity only, wedge 400 having a stem of a rectangular cross-section is illustrated. By pushing, and possibly some pulling if necessary, wedge 400 bends arm 102 to adjust the force exerted by arm 102.

Optionally, at least a part of at least one of the surfaces of puller 1 10, such as a surface facing basis 104 and/or facing arm 102, are rugged or ridged, or additionally and alternatively, at least a part of a surface of wedge 400 that touches puller 110 is rugged or ridged, to maintain wedge 400 in position against the reactive force exerted by the resistance to puller 1 10 to bending deformation that tends to push wedge 400 out of puller 110.

In some embodiments, wedge 400 is a separate part not associated or connected to anchor 120 and is used instead of screw 140.

A potential advantage of using a wedge is that the wedge does not protrude above the puller and does not require, as in some embodiments, clipping of any protruding parts such as screws as discussed below.

In some embodiments, other methods or mechanisms may be used to modify the structure and/or operation of puller 110. For example, arm 102 having a through bore or passage, akin to thread 142, and handle 300 that is pushed in the bore thereby altering the distance between arm 102 and basis 104, akin to screw 140. In order to maintain the position of handle 302 against the reactive force exerted by the resistance to puller 110 to bending deformation that tends to reduce back the distance between arm 102 and basis 104, at least a part of the internal surface of the bore and/or at least a part of an external surface of handle 300 is grooved or ridged or roughened to apply sufficient resistance against the reactive force.

In some embodiments, other methods or mechanisms may be used to modify the structure and/or operation of puller 110. For example puller 110 comprises a bi-metal structure that alters the distance between arm 102 and basis 104 responsive to temperature. Optionally, the structure and/or composition of the bi-metal structure are configured so that puller 1 10 applies and adequate of sufficiently adequate pulling force responsive to the temperature of the vicinity of nail 150. Likewise, in some embodiments, puller 110 comprises a shape memory alloy such as Nickel-Titanium (Nitinol) or a shape memory polymer such as Veriflex^®, optionally with additives, such that distance between arm 102 and basis 104 is adjusted responsive to conditions such as temperature, pH, electric field or magnetic field or electric current.

In some embodiments or cases, the adjusting component that bends arm 102 of puller 110, such as screw 140, protrudes above arm 102. In some embodiments or cases the protruding part may be prone displacement or bending due to movements, and moreover, may not fit in a shoe or within a cover (see below).

In some embodiments, screw 140 comprises or made of a material that is conveniently cut or worked with by a hand tool such as a knife, a drill, a burr or a file. Optionally or additionally, screw 140 is structured such that screw 140 is conveniently breakable by bending or twisting at a plurality of sites along the length thereof. For example, screw 140 is structured with indentations or grooves that weaken screw 140 at a plurality of sites and enable breaking above arm 102.

Fig. 5A schematically illustrates screw 140 that bends arm 102 of puller 110, similarly to Fig. IB, and Fig. 5B schematically illustrates screw 140 after clipping or cutting and generally or practically flush or level with the top surface of arm 102, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may be modified to simultaneously pull a plurality of anchors and corresponding portions of a nail, optionally each anchor pulled by adjusted force independently of each anchor.

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may be modified to simultaneously pull a plurality of anchors and corresponding portions of a plurality of nails, optionally each anchor pulled by adjusted force independently of each anchor.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a variation 600 of a non-invasive apparatus such as 100 for pulling two portions of nail 150, having a puller HOd with two bending arms, arm 102a and arm 102b, and corresponding two adjusting screws, screw 140a and screw 140b, for simultaneously pulling corresponding two anchors, anchor 120a and anchor 120b, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, a cover, as a protective cover, is provided to protect and/or conceal apparatus 100 that is mounted on nail 150 and operates as described above.

At least potentially, the cover protects apparatus 100 mounted on nail 150 from misplacement, deformations or damage or force that may cause unnecessary pain. Optionally, the cover may or can be used beneficially even when the foot is inside a shoe.

In some embodiments, the cover is at least potentially beneficial in concealment of nail 150 and apparatus 100, thereby potentially reducing repulsion or nausea from the sight of the nail and/or apparatus thereon. In some embodiments, the cover mechanically isolates sensitive portion or portions of the nail, for example, providing a 'roof above the nail and/or toe, optionally, cushioning the nail and/or toe with a soft material such as a foam or a sponge or a gel or any combination thereof.

Fig. 7 illustrates a protective cover 700 on a toe covering apparatus such as apparatus 100, providing a 'roof 702 above the apparatus and the nail, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, protective cover 700 may be formed in various shapes, optionally with internal structure that matches or holds on the puller. Optionally, protective cover 700 is shaped to hold on the toe.

In some embodiments, a cover such as protective cover 700 has a fixed structure, such as or resembling a sleeve. Optionally or alternatively, the shape of protective cover 700 is customized to match or fit the toe and/or the nail such as by casting or molding or forming or by other methods. For example, covering the toe and mounted apparatus such as nail 150 and apparatus 100 with polyurethane foam and curing by UV irradiation or other methods such as applying a catalyst. In some embodiments, other methods and apparatus are used such as inflating a sleeve around the toe or using equipment such as air-cast. Optionally, a combination of methods is used, for example, a box covered and/or filled with foam.

In some embodiments, removal of the apparatus off the nail may be carried out chemically and/or physically. For example, the adhesive that attach puller 110 and/or anchor 120 the nail is softened by a warm solution or a solvent; or, for example, removal of the apparatus's parts by a sharp instrument such as a knife; or, for example, loosening the adhesive that attach puller 110 and/or anchor 120 to the nail by applying vibrations such as ultrasonic vibrations that disintegrates or cracks the binding such as due to differences of physical properties between the apparatus, adhesive and the nail along the adhesive-apparatus and adhesive-nail borders.

In some embodiments, subsequent to pulling and/or elevation of a portion of a nail, such as an ingrown nail, the nail and/or toe is secured to further the recovery and/or reducing or preventing undue pain such as from walking or an impact. In some embodiments, the toe is secured by an apparatus such as or similar to the cover described above. Optionally or alternatively, a splint adapted or configured for the nail or toe is used such as a robust sleeve, optionally adjustable to match the toe or nail such as an inflatable sleeve. In some embodiments, the splint comprises two parts, as a base mounted under the toe and a complementary nail cover that couples with the base and covers and secures the nail. Optionally, other mechanisms or methods may be used to secure the nail or toe such as applying adhesive over the nail and toe or by placing an elastic band around the toe over the nail.

In some embodiments, the puller and/or anchor are made of or comprise polymeric material (plastic) or metals. In some embodiments, the puller and/or anchor are made of or comprise ceramics or composite materials. Generally, the materials are selected or made for inexpensive production and low-price of the apparatus as well as adaptation to mounting and dismounting as described above. In some embodiments, the puller and/or anchor, at least the contact surfaces thereof with a nail, are smaller than a typical nail of typical to age group. As a non- limiting example, the contact surface areas of the puller and/or anchor are about 3mm².

In some embodiments, apparatus such as apparatus 100 is provided as a kit.

In some embodiments, the kit comprises an at least one puller 110 and an at least one anchor 120 and optionally an at least one link 130 such as a cord.

In some embodiments, the kit comprises tools and/or accessories for mounting the puller or the anchor on a nail, such at least one of a scraper, or glue or solvent or heater. In some embodiments, the kit comprises tools and/or accessories for removing the puller or the anchor from a nail, such at least one of a solvent or heater or tweezers or pliers or a drill burr or borer. In some embodiments, the kit comprises other tools such as a cutter to cut a groove in the nail to facilitate bending of a portion of a nail such a of an ingrown portion. In some embodiments, the kit comprises at least one protective cover, optionally as a customizable cover. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a portable, optionally foldable, work board such as a bench structured for convenient mounting and/or dismounting the apparatus as described above.

In some embodiments, the kit comprises instructions, optionally with drawings and/or pictures, for assembling and using the kit.

Fig. 8A schematically illustrates a kit 810 for non-invasively pulling a portion of a nail with some accompanying accessories, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Kit 810 illustrates two apparatuses as apparatus 100, comprising puller 110, anchor 120, handle 300 and link 130 such as a cord, representing one or more such apparatuses or variations thereof, where a dotted line indicated as 890 represents optional additional instances of apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, kit 810 comprises some accessories for handling apparatus 100, the accessories represented as glue tube 812 for removably mounting apparatus 100 on a nail, solvent tube 814 for softening the glue for removing apparatus 100 from the nail or for softening of surface 106 and/or of surface 126 of puller 1 10 and/or anchor 120, respectively, and tool 816 to peel apparatus 100 from the nail and/or for carving or shaping of surface 106 and/or surface 126 of puller 110 and/or anchor 120, respectively. The accessories are provided as examples and a kit such as kit 810 comprise, in some embodiments, other accessories such as two tubes for epoxy glue, tools for carving the shape of puller 110 or surface 106 thereof, or tools for pulling apparatus 100 such a pliers. In some embodiments, kit 810 comprises a cover such as protective cover 700 of Fig. 7, and/or other covers such as air-cast and/or accessories for molding or casting a cover or a part thereof. Optionally, in some embodiments, kit 810 comprises a user-guide or a manual instructing how to use apparatus 100.

Kit 810 represents other variations and contents of a kit for apparatus such as 100 and accessories thereof.

Fig. 8B schematically illustrates a kit 820 as a variation of kit 810 providing a puller 110 having a plurality of hole 108 and basis 104 formed like a shoe sole, screw 140 for insertion into thread 142, anchor 120 with handle 300, all shown as s practical articles according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Fig. 9A schematically outlines operations of using a non-invasive removable apparatus for pulling and/or elevating a portion of a nail, such as apparatus 100 or variation thereof that is used as a non-limiting reference example in the following discussion, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

Anchor 120 is mounted on a portion of a nail, such as on an ingrown portion thereof (902) and puller 1 10 is mounted (904) independently of the position of anchor 120 in any convenient or practical portion of the nail without restriction on the distance or orientation between puller 110 and anchor 120, as long as the puller is operative in pulling anchor 120 upwardly.

In case puller 110 and anchor 120 are already connected by link 130, link is stretched such as for an initial tension, or, alternatively, in case puller 110 and anchor 120 are not connected by link 130 then link is connected therebetween, such as by tying, and stretched (906).

Subsequently, the shape of puller 110 is adjusted such as by screw 140, thereby gradually adjusting a force exerted on anchor 120 and consequently on the nail portion on which anchor 120 (908) is mounted. The adjustment may be varied or adjusted such as according to the perceived pain due to the nail and/or progress in pulling or elevating or loosening or releasing the nail portion such as of an ingrown nail. After a while, for example, when the nail portion is loosened or released or elevated, then apparatus 100 is dismounted from the nail (910).

In some embodiments, puller 110 is mounted before anchor 120, such as some distance away from the intended position of anchor 120.

Fig. 9B schematically illustrates operations of using a non-invasive removable apparatus for pulling and/or elevating a portion of a nail, such as apparatus 100 or variation thereof that is used as a reference example in the following discussion, according to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases or embodiments operations of Fig. 9B elaborate on or add to some of the operations of Fig. 9A, and not all of the operations of Fig. 9B are necessarily mandatory for practicing the disclosure, and the sequence of some of the operations may be changed.

The nail intended for pulling is prepared, optionally while the foot is placed on a worktable or bench. In some embodiments, the nail's surface is cleaned and/or filed to provide a sufficiently adequate contact thereon (912). In some embodiments, the nail is cleaned by cleaner such as alcohol or acetone, and/or filed by nail file or other tools, optionally to prepare flatter contact regions relative to the original curvature of the nail. The nail is additionally or optionally pre-set to facilitate or ease the lifting of a portion thereof (914) such as a portion of an ingrown nail. For example, making a groove or slit on a healthy part of the nail to provide a creasing along which the potion of the ingrown nail may readily fold or directed to fold relative to the rest of the nail. In some cases or embodiments, preparing the nail such as with a groove eases the pain and/or reduces the likelihood of lifting other portions of the nail

The surface 106 of puller 110 and/or surface 126 of anchor 120 are shaped (916) to generally conform or match, at least partially, the curvature of the nail where the respective components are to be mounted for an adequate contact with the nail and potentially adequate bonding thereto.

Anchor 120 with handle 300 is mounted on a portion of the nail, for example, about or close to an ingrown portion thereof (918) by holding the compound part of anchor and handle by handle 300, optionally and/or typically after applying glue on surface 126 of anchor 120 and/or respective portion of the nail, or otherwise such as after softening surface 126 and sticking to the nail. When anchor 120 is sufficiently firmly bonded with the nail, handle 300 is removed from anchor 120, such as by twisting or bending (920).

Puller 110 is mounted on the nail independently of the position of anchor 120 in practically any convenient location (922) and without constraint to the relative direction or orientation to anchor 120, provided puller 110 is effective in pulling up the anchor 120. Puller 110 is typically mounted after applying glue on surface 106 of puller 110 and/or respective portion of the nail, or otherwise such as by softening surface 106 and sticking to the nail. Either before or after puller 110 is mounted on the nail, screw 140 is threaded in thread 142 of arm 102 of puller 110.

Link 130, such as a wire, is connected between arm 102 and anchor 120, in case link 130 is not already connected (924), or optionally the connection is modified such as to connect link 130 to other holding structures of arm 102 such as one of a plurality of hole 108, selecting and/or adjusting a force moment to be applied on link 130. Link 130 is stretched to provide a pre-tension to reduce non-effective or 'neutral' bending of arm 102.

Using the tip of handle 300 as a screwdriver, or any suitable tool such a screwdriver, screw 140 is rotated or turned (926), thereby gradually changing and adjusting the bending of arm 102 and/or the angle relative to basis 104 and consequently adjusting the force exerted on link 130 and consequently on anchor 120 and respective nail portion. Optionally, such as responsive to the progress of pulling and/or elevating the nail and/or by the pain caused by the ingrown nail, screw 140 is turned for re-adjusting the exerted force.

In some embodiments, once the force is determined, at least for some while, the protruding part of screw 140 is clipped sufficiently close to the top level of arm 102, optionally and additionally enabling convenient covering of the apparatus and/or the toe and/or enabling fitting to a shoe.

In some embodiments, once the apparatus is mounted and operated (force applied on a portion of the nail) the apparatus and/or toe are covered with a protective cover to prevent damage to the apparatus or operation thereof and preserve the toe and nail from painful pressure or shocks. When the pulling or elevating of the nail is judged as finished and/or on other occasions, the nail is optionally cleaned or sanitized at the undersurface thereof, also repeatedly, since the whole apparatus is mounted on the opposite surface of the nail without extending to the lower side of the nail.

At the end of the pulling procedure or for other reasons, the bondage of puller 110 and anchor 120 to the nail is weakened such as by a solvent or heating (928) or by vibrations created by a rotating/vibrating tool, and apparatus 100 is removed from the nail (930) such as by pulling or twisting or peeling or destroying the respective components off the nail, optionally using accessories or tools such as a drill, burr or borer.

In some embodiments, handle 300 comprises a screw so that screw 140 can be disposed of. In some embodiments, other mechanisms, such as a wedge, are used to gradually adjust the force on a portion of a nail.

When operations or actions are recited in some order, the order may be varied in any practical manner, as, for example, in some embodiments, puller 110 is mounted before anchor 120.

It is emphasized that apparatus 100 and/or a component thereof, such as puller 110 or anchor 120, are not necessarily actually attached to nail 150, but, rather, potentially attached or mounted on nail 150. In other words, apparatus 100 and/or a component thereof are connectable or attachable or mountable on the external plate of nail 150.

It further emphasized that apparatus 100 and/or a component thereof, such as puller 110 or anchor 120, are removable or detachable from the external plate of nail 150. Thus, apparatus 100 and/or a component thereof removably mountable on the external plate of nail 150.

It is also emphasized that puller 1 10 can be placed on an unconstrained position of a nail surface, independently of anchor 120, that is, as long as anchor 120 is not obstructed such as by basis 104. Thus, anchor 120 and puller 110 are removably mountable on the external plate of nail 150 independently of each other.

It is emphasized that apparatus 100 and/or operation thereof is non-invasive whatsoever to the subject. It is further emphasized that the operation of apparatus 100 merely exerts an external force on an external surface of a nail's plate and, thus, does not constitute a treatment on the subject body, and particularly does not constitute a treatment in the subject body.

It is noted that having the freedom to locate the puller on any convenient place on the nail is distinctive at least relative to some other methods of pulling a portion of a nail.

Some potential advantages and benefits of the described apparatus and methods are summarized below.

The apparatus is universal in the sense that it does not have to be customized in size or structure to a particular nail and pathology location.

The apparatus is non-invasive and removably adapted to nail and can exert a gradually controlled pulling force on an ingrown nail. By selectively determining the amount and duration of the exerted force the pressure of the ingrown nail is reduced, as well as associated trauma and pain, and the nail shape is gradually restored up to full recovery. The apparatus provide simple mechanism by which the force may be increased or reduced to adapt to the treatment progress and/or the pain perceived by the subject.

A simple variant of the apparatus provides simultaneous force for a plurality of pathological sites on the nail, independently of each other, reducing treatment time and pain and providing a consistent treatment to the pathological sites.

The operation of the apparatus is simple and the subject with an ingrown nail may adjust the force by himself or herself responsive to the pain or discomfort.

Providing a cover the apparatus and/or the toe are protected, allowing the subject to conduct normal activities including wearing shoes.

The apparatus, situated above the nail, allows better sanitation of the undersurface of the nail at least relative to some other methods or apparatus, whereas using the apparatus as described leaves the undersurface free of foreign materials which might have caused constant evacuation of pus, bacteria and debris.

The apparatus may be provided as a kit to be used by paramedical personnel or pedicurists or cosmeticians, or optionally by the subject himself.

The apparatus is made of low cost material by conventional process, typically molded plastic, and may be provided at low cost as disposable items.

There is thus provided according to the present disclosure a non-invasive apparatus for pulling up a portion of a nail, comprising an adjustable puller and an anchor, wherein the puller and the anchor are both removably mountable independently of each other on an external plate of a nail, and a link for connecting between the puller and the anchor, providing the puller to pull the anchor, and consequently pulling a portion of the nail, by an adjustable upward force in an unconstrained orientation relative to the anchor.

In some embodiments, the portion of the nail comprises an ingrown portion of the nail.

In some embodiments, pulling a portion of the nail comprises at least one of loosening the portion of the nail, releasing the portion of the nail, elevating the portion of the nail, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the link comprises at least one of a wire, a string, a chain, an elastic element, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the link comprises one of a magnetic force or an electric force produced by a magnet or an electric charge, respectively.

In some embodiments, the link is connected to one or both of the puller or the anchor.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a plurality of anchors.

In some embodiments, each anchor of the plurality of anchors is pulled by an independent adjustable force.

In some embodiments, the puller is formed as a crane.

In some embodiments, the puller comprises a basis section having a surface removably mountable on the nail, and an extension member extending opposite the basis section, the extension member adjustable for at least one or both of the distance or angle with respect to basis section.

In some embodiments, the extension member is connected to the anchor by the link.

In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a plurality of extension members. In some embodiments, the link comprises the anchor.

In some embodiments, the anchor comprises a handle adapted for mounting the anchor on the nail. In some embodiments, the handle is structured for modifying the shape of the puller, consequently adjusting force on the anchor.

In some embodiments, modifying comprises bending the extension member.

In some embodiments, the puller comprises a screw for bending the extension member with respect to the basis section and the handle is structured as a screwdriver.

In some embodiments, the puller has a screw-thread and at least a portion of the handle is structured as a screw matching the screw-thread.

In some embodiments, the handle is structured as a wedge insertable between the basis section and the extension member for adjusting the distance therebetween.

In some embodiments, at least one or both of the puller or the anchor comprises a material adapted for matching at least a part of a surface thereof with the curvature of a portion of the nail.

There is thus further provided according to the present disclosure a method for non-invasively pulling a nail up, comprising removably mounting a provided anchor on a portion of a nail, removably mounting a provided puller on the nail independently of the position on the nail of the provided anchor, connecting the provided anchor and the provided puller by a provided link, and adjusting the provided puller to exert an adjusted force on the provided anchor via the provided link, thereby exerting an adjustable upward force on the portion of the nail.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises adapting at least a part of at least one or both of the provided puller or the provided anchor to match at least a part of the curvature of a portion of the nail before mounting.

In some embodiments, removably mounting the provided puller precedes removably mounting the provided anchor.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises covering at least a part of the nail by a provided protective cover.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises initially preparing the nail for mounting at least one or both of the provided anchor or the provided puller on the nail.

In some embodiments, preparing comprises grooving the nail to direct the folding of a pulled portion of the nail. In some embodiments, preparing comprises filing the nail.

There is thus further provided according to the present disclosure a kit for noninvasive apparatus for pulling up a portion of a nail by an adjustable force in an unconstrained direction, comprising an at least one adjustable puller removably mountable on a nail, an at least one anchor removably mountable on a nail, and an at least one link connectible between the puller and the anchor.

In some embodiments, the at least one puller and the at least one anchor are linked by the link.

In some embodiments, the at least one anchor is removably connected to a handle.

In some embodiments, the handle is structured for adjusting the at least one puller.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises an at least one accessory for mounting at least one or both of the at least one puller or the at least one anchor on the nail.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises an at least one accessory for removing at least one or both of the at least one puller or the at least one anchor from the nail.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a protective cover.

In some embodiments, the kit further comprises instructions for using the kit.

The flowchart and block diagrams illustrate architecture, functionality or an operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosed subject matter. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of program code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, illustrated operations may occur in deferent order or as concurrent operations instead of sequential operations to achieve the same or equivalent effect.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" and/or "having" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein the term "configuring" and/or 'adapting' for an objective, or a variation thereof, implies using materials and/or components in a manner designed for and/or implemented and/or operable or operative to achieve the objective.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms 'about' and/or 'close' with respect to a dimension or extent, such as length, implies within an inclusive range of -10% to +10% of the respective dimension or extent.

Claims

1. A non-invasive apparatus for pulling up a portion of a nail, comprising:

an adjustable puller and an anchor,

wherein the adjustable puller and the anchor are both removably mountable independently of each other on an external plate o f a nail; and

a link for connecting between the adjustable puller and the anchor, providing the adjustable puller to pull the anchor, and consequently pulling a portion of the nail, by an adjustable upward force in an unconstrained orientation relative to the anchor,

2. The apparatus according to claim L wherein the portion of the nail comprises an ingrown portion of the nail.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein pulling a portion of the nail comprises at least, one of loosening the portion of the nail releasing the portion of the nail, elevating the portion of the nail, or any combination thereof.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the link comprises at least one of a wire, a string, a chain, an elastic element or any combination thereof.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, w herein the link comprises one of a magnetic force or an electric force produced by a magnet or an electric charge, respectively.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the f ink is connected to one or both of the adjustable puller or the anchor.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of anchors.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each anchor of the plurality of anchors is pulled by an independent adjustable force.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustable puller is formed as a crane.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustable puller comprises a basis section having a surface removably mountahle on the nail, and an extension member extending opposite the basis section, the extension member is adjustable for at least one or both of the distance or angle with respect to the basis section.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the extension member is connected to the anchor by the link.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of extension members.

13. The apparatus according to claim I , wherein the link comprises the anchor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a handle adapted for mounting the anchor on the nail.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the handle is structured for modifying the shape of the adjustable puller, consequentl adjusting force on the anchor.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein modifying comprises bending the extension member,

17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the adjustable puller comprises a screw for bending the extension member with respect to the basis section and the handle is structured as a screwdriver.

18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the adjustable puller has a screw-thread and at least a portion of the handle is structured as a screw matching the screw-thread.

1 . The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the handle is structured as a wedge inseriah!e between the basis section and ihe extension member for adjusting the distance therebetween.

20. The apparatus according to claim I , wherein at least one or both of the adjustable puller or the anchor comprises a material adapted for matching at least a part of a surface thereof with a curvature of a portion of the nail.

21. A method for non-invasively pulling a nail up, comprising:

removably mounting a provided anchor on a portion of a nail;

removably mounting a provided puller on the nail independently of th mounted position of the provided anchor on the nail;

connecting the provided anchor and die provided puller by a provided link; and adjusting the provided puller to exert an adjusted force on the provided anchor via the provided link, thereby exerting an adjustable upward force on the portion of the nail.

22. The method according to claim 21 , further comprising adapting at least a part of at least one or both of the provided puller or the provided anchor to match at least a part of a curvature of a portion of the nail before mounting.

23. The method according to claim 21. wherein removably mounting the provided puller precedes removably mounting the provided anchor.

24. The method according to claim 21. further comprising covering at least a part of the nail by a provided protective cover.

25. The method according to claim 21. further comprising initially preparing the nail for mounting at least one or both of the provided anchor or the provided puller on the nail.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein preparing comprises grooving the nail to direct the folding of a pulled portion of the nail.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein preparing comprises filing the nail.

28. A kit for non-invasive apparatus for pulling up a portion of a nail by an adjustable force in an unconstrained direction, comprising:

an at least one adjustable puller removably mountable on a nail;

an at least one anchor removably mountable on the nail; and

an at least one link connective between the at least one adjustable puller and the at ieast one anchor.

29. The kit according to claim 28, wherein the at ieast one adjustable puller and the at least one anchor are linked by the at least one link,

30. The kit according to claim 28, wherein the at Ieast one anchor is removably connected to a handle.

31. The kit according to claim 30, wherein the handle is structured for adjusting the at least one adjustable puller.

32. The kit according to claim 28, further comprising an at least one accessory for mounting at least one or both of the at least one adjustable puller or the at least one anchor on the nail.

33. The kit according to claim 28, further comprising an at least one accessory for removing at least one or both of the at Ieast one adjustable puller or the at least one anchor from the nail.

34. The kit according to claim 28, further comprising a protective cover.

35. The kit according to claim 28, further comprising instructions for using the kit.