Punctum plug having a collapsible flared section and method
First Claim
1. An implant comprisingan elongated member having a pair of ends wherein one of said pair of ends includes a collapsible flared section having an outer surface and the other of said pair of ends includes a thin elongated lip, said thin elongated lip being located on said elongated member to position the thin elongated tip in a generally anterior direction upon insertion in to a punctum opening, said elongated member and said collapsible flared section being formed of a dimension to pass through a punctum opening of an eye.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An implant comprising
an elongated member having a pair of ends wherein one of said pair of ends includes a collapsible flared section having an outer surface and the other of said pair of ends includes a thin elongated lip, said thin elongated lip being located on said elongated member to position the thin elongated tip in a generally anterior direction upon insertion in to a punctum opening, said elongated member and said collapsible flared section being formed of a dimension to pass through a punctum opening of an eye.
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16. A punctum plug comprising
an elongated central member having a central axis and a pair of ends wherein one of said pair of ends includes means defining a collapsible flared section which is capable of being collapsed relative to said central axis in response to the application of force on the collapsible flared section in a direction to collapse the same and urge the collapsible flared section into a collapsed position and the other of said pair of ends includes a thin elongated lip, said thin elongated lip being located on said elongated member to position the thin elongated tip in a generally anterior direction upon insertion in to a punctum opening, said elongated central member and said collapsible flared section being formed of a dimension to pass through a punctum of an eye.
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17. An implant comprising
an elongated central member having a central axis, a first end and a second end wherein said first end curves angularly relative to said second end and wherein said first end includes a thin elongated lip, said thin elongated lip being located on said elongated member to position the thin elongated tip in a generally anterior direction upon insertion in to a punctum opening, said second end has a collapsible flared section having a preselected shape and wherein said collapsible flared section includes means for enabling said collapsible flared section to be collapsed relative to said central axis in response to the application of force on the collapsible flared section in a direction to collapse the same and urge the collapsible flared section into a collapsed position, said elongated central member and said collapsible flared section being formed of a dimension to pass through a punctum of an eye.
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28. A punctum plug comprising
an elongated member having a central axis, first end, a second end and a central section extending between said first end and said second end; -
said elongated member having a slight angular curve which deflects said first end in a selected angle from said second end, said first end having a thin elongated lip, said thin elongated lip being located on said elongated member to position the thin elongated tip in a generally anterior direction upon insertion in to a punctum opening; and said second end having a collapsible flared section which increases in cross-section as the collapsible flared section approaches the first end, said collapsible flared section having an extended position and a collapsed position, said collapsible flared section when an extended position being responsive to the application of a force in a direction to collapse the same by being urged into its collapsed position. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An implant adapted to be inserted into the punctum opening of an eye and be transported through the vertical portion of the canaliculus into the ampula to occlude the punctum opening and vertical portion, said implant comprising
an elongated member having a medial end and a spaced, opposed lateral end and a central member having a predetermined cross-sectional dimension extending from said medial end to said lateral end; -
said medial end having a collapsible flared section which increases in cross-section as the collapsible flared section approaches the lateral end and which terminates in an outer edge having a dimension which is greater than the predetermined cross-sectional dimension of the central member, said collapsible flared section having an extended position and a collapsed position wherein the dimension of the collapsed position is approximately equal to a geometrical dimension of the punctum opening of an eye adapted to pass the same, and wherein the application of a radial force in a direction to collapse the collapsible flared section urges the same from its extended position into its collapsed position, and said lateral end including a thin elongated lip, said thin elongated lip being located on said elongated member to position the thin elongated tip in a generally anterior direction upon insertion in to a punctum opening. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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Specification