Abstract: An animal nail trimming apparatus includes a fixed blade and a movable blade defining a cutting region for receiving an animal nail. A sensor board positioned proximate to the fixed blade carries a metallic sensor plate, and a main control board is electrically linked to and separated from the sensor board. A microcontroller having an analog-to-digital converter drives the sensor plate and obtains readings corresponding to charge or discharge time. When the sensor plate is exposed to air with no nail or quick present, the microcontroller stores a baseline value. During use, the microcontroller obtains additional readings, derives a count, compares the count to the baseline value, and actuates a quick-indicator LED array before completion of a cut to indicate the presence of nail material or quick tissue.

Abstract: A clipper for clipping nails of an animal such as a dog, or cat, that allows for the clipping of an individual nail at the desired length while preventing injury to the animal, including a clipper portion and a sensing portion which allows the nail to be localized in a desired position relative to the clipping plane of the clipper and the internal structure of the nail, wherein the sensing portion is included within circuitry that includes a signal generation portion, a signal reception portion, and a quick indicator. The animal nail is positioned near the clipper portion and the sensing portion produces a sensible signal confirming the position of the clipping plane upon the nail, particularly the quick of the nail. The user then may adjust the position of the clipper portion such that the clipping plane avoids the quick. The user then actuates the clipper portion and trims the nail.