Tick--Off™ is a hand held device used for removing ticks from an animal or a human. This penlight like device will quickly and safely remove embedded ticks from the skin of any host. Accurate direction of battery generated heat is the basis of the design.
Traditionally, the best method for removing ticks has been to use a hot match head applied directly to the tick in order to force it to back itself out of the host under its own natural movement. In this way, the head and grip of the tick are no longer embedded in the host, thereby avoiding infection and disease. Use of a match head is cumbersome, time consuming and risks burning the skin of the host. Tick--Off™ instantaneously and accurately directs heat to the head of the tick in the same manner as the match head, producing the same results quicker and safer. The device is shaped like a penlight and held much like a pencil. It has a clip like a pen, so when it is carried in the pocket, it will not fall out. The device is constructed of aluminum and plastic, so it is corrosion resistant, as it may be used extensively outdoors.
Tick--Off™ is powered by two 1-½ volt AAA batteries, and has a pushbutton on/off switch. When turned ON, current flows through a small wire coil at the tip of the device, which will cause it to glow, generating heat. The unique heating tip consists of a resilient coil surrounded by an open cage. This cage serves two functions. The first function is to stand the coil off the host by a predetermined amount of gap in order to protect the host from burn. The second function is to protect the coil from breaking, in much the same way glass protects a light bulb element from breaking.
The head of the tick is straddled with the cage of the heating tip. The cage is designed in such a manner as to allow very accurate radiation of heat to the tick head. Once heat is applied, the tick will quickly back itself out of the host, at which time it can be easily brushed off and destroyed. The device never comes in contact with the tick, so the possibility of cutting or breaking off the tick is minimized. Simplistic in design, the device is comprised of only four parts, the Casing, Heating tip, Switch, and the batteries.
