Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Eye prosthesis
Patent
1995-06-07
1998-03-03
Willse, David H.
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Eye prosthesis
604 8, A61F 214
Patent
active
057230056
ABSTRACT:
A punctum plug adapted to be inserted into the punctum opening of an eye and which is adapted to be transported into the vertical portion of the canaliculus or into the ampula to occlude the punctum opening and vertical portion of the canaliculus is shown. The punctum plug, or implant, comprises an elongated member having a pair of ends wherein one of the pair of ends includes a collapsible flared section which has a sloped or curved outer surface and the other end of the pair of ends includes a thin retaining lip to engage the edge of the punctum opening. The elongated member and collapsible flared section are formed of a dimension to pass through the punctum opening of an eye. The collapsible flared section has an extended position and a collapsed position. A radial force is applied against the outer surface of the collapsible flared and in a direction to collapse the collapsible flared section which urges the same from its extended position into the collapsed position. As the collapsible flared section passes through the punctum opening and vertical section of the canaliculus, a clamping force is developed. When the collapsible flared section passes into the ampula, it reverts back to its substantially extended position in the ampula to occlude the punctum and vertical portion of the canaliculus. A method for treating external eye condition due to a deficiency of tears utilizing the punctum plug is also shown.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3949750 (1976-04-01), Freeman
patent: 4461295 (1984-07-01), Herrick
patent: 4660546 (1987-04-01), Herrick
patent: 4915684 (1990-04-01), MacKeen et al.
patent: 4959048 (1990-09-01), Seder et al.
patent: 5049142 (1991-09-01), Herrick et al.
patent: 5053030 (1991-10-01), Herrick et al.
patent: 5163959 (1992-11-01), Herrick
patent: 5171270 (1992-12-01), Herrick
patent: 5283063 (1994-02-01), Freeman
patent: 5318513 (1994-06-01), Leib et al.
patent: 5417651 (1995-05-01), Guena et al.
patent: 5423777 (1995-06-01), Tajiri et al.
Article entitled The Punctum Plug: Evaluation of a New Treatment for the Dry Eye, by Jerre M. Freeman, MD, which appeared at pp. OP-873 through OP-879 in the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Optometry, vol. 79, Nov.-Dec., 1975 (the "Freeman Reference").
Article entitled Intra-Canaliculer Gelatin Implants In The Treatment Of Kerato-Conjunctivitis Sicca, by Wallace S. Foulds, which appeared at pp. 625-627 in the Brit. J. Ophthal., vol. 45, 1961 (the "Foulds Reference").
Article entitled Punctal Occlusion With N-Butyl Cyaoacrylate Tissue Adhesive, by James T. Patten, MD, which appeared at pp. 24-26 in Ophthalmic Surgery, vol. 7, No. 2, Summer 1976 (the "Patten Reference").
Product Brochure for a punctum plug referred to as the Umbrella Plug S2-3802, by J. A. Bernard, MD (the "Umbrella Plug Brochure"); and.
Product Brochure for a tapered shaft punctum plug referred to as the Super Plug, sold by Eagle Vision (the "Tapered Shaft Punctum Plug Brochure").
Article entitled Diagnosis and Treatment of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, by Jose I. Barraquerm MD, et all, which appeared at p. 43 in the Symposium on Medical and Surgical Diseases of the Cornea, Transactions of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology, C. V. MoshbyCo. publisher, 1980 (the "Barraquer Reference").
Herrick Family Limited Partnership
Meaney, Jr. Daniel J.
Willse David H.
LandOfFree
Punctum plug having a collapsible flared section and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Punctum plug having a collapsible flared section and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Punctum plug having a collapsible flared section and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2244850