Multi-piece punctal plug
OwnerSteven Odrichinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-piece punctal plug has one or more superficial plugs connected to an anchor plug deeper in the naso-lacrimal canaliculus. The anchor is fixed to the wall of the lacrimal duct while the superficial plugs are axially and detachably secured to the anchor plug so that the multi-plug complex may be inserted or removed together as one, or the superficial plugs may be detached separately and replaced securely without disturbing the anchor. Removal and insertion is accomplished by a specific tool having an end for engaging the plugs.
Claims25
A multi-part punctal plug arrangement for placement in a lacrimal duct of a patient, comprising:
- an anchor having an inner plug engaging recess and an outer surface for engaging a wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- a plug having a stem for extending into the plug engaging recess of the anchor, and a head connected to the stem, the head having a larger diameter then the stem for engaging around a lacrimal punctum at an end of a lacrimal duct in which the anchor is received, the head including a tool engaging recess;
- anchor fixing means at the outer surface of the anchor for fixing the anchor to the wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- plug fixing means for detachably and axially securely connecting the plug to the anchor so that with the plug connected to the anchor the plug and the anchor can be inserted as a unit into, and removed as a unit from a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- and
- a tool having an end for engaging the tool engaging recess of the plug, the end of the tool and the tool engaging recess being shaped for axial securement of the tool to the plug so that the tool can be used to facilitate insertion and removal of the plug and connected anchor into and out from a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor.
A multi part punctal plug arrangement for placement in a lacrimal duct of a patient comprising:
- an anchor having an outer surface for engaging a wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- a plug having a head engaging around a lacrimal punctum at an end of a lacrimal duct in which the anchor is received, the head including tool engaging means for engaging a tool to hold the plug;
- anchor fixing means at the outer surface of the anchor for fixing the anchor to the wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- plug fixing means for detachable and axially securely connecting the plug to the anchor so that with the plug connected to the anchor the plug and the anchor can be inserted into, and removed from a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- and
- a tool having an end for engaging the tool engaging means of the plug and for inserting and removing the plug and connected anchor into and out from a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor.
A method of placing a multi-part punctal plug into a lacrimal duct of a patient, comprising:
- providing an anchor having an inner plug engaging recess and an outer surface for engaging a wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor, the anchor having anchor fixing means at the outer surface of the anchor for fixing the anchor to the wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- providing a plug having a stem for extending into the plug engaging recess of the anchor, and a head connected to the stem, the head having a larger diameter then the stem for engaging around a lacrimal punctum at an end of a lacrimal duct in which the anchor is received, the head including a tool engaging recess;
- detachably and axially securing the plug to the anchor;
- engaging a tool to the plug, the tool having an end for engaging the tool engaging recess of the plug, the end of the tool and the tool engaging recess being shaped for axial securement of the tool to the plug so that the tool can be used to facilitate insertion and removal of the plug and connected anchor into and out from a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor;
- and
- using the tool to insert the plug connected to the anchor into the lacrimal duct of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.