Abrasive polished canalicular implant
First Claim
1. A method of forming rounded end sections on an implant used for blocking the flow of tear fluid from the surface of the eye through the canaliculus comprising severing a continuous length of a material absorbable in the human body into predetermined lengths to form cylindrical implants;
- placing the cylindrical implants in a container partially filled with a particulate abrasive media;
causing the cylindrical implants to be continuously impacted with the particulate media so as to abrade all surfaces of the implant and eliminate any sharp edges on the implant, the continuous impaction creating polished surfaces andseparating the cylindrical implants from the abrasive media.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A canalicular implant for insertion through the punctum of the eye and the method of manufacture. The implant is fabricated by cutting suture-like material, such as catgut, of the appropriate diameter to the desired length. The ends of the implant are rounded and polished after cutting by abrasive polishing to remove any sharp edges and burrs formed by the cutting process. This produces an implant with various degrees of rounding at the ends depending on the duration and type of abrasive polishing used. The method of abrasive polishing may comprise tumble polishing, vibratory polishing, or other methods of agitation utilizing dry or wet media comprised of beads, forms, abrasive powders, or other similar substances or combinations of these media.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method of forming rounded end sections on an implant used for blocking the flow of tear fluid from the surface of the eye through the canaliculus comprising severing a continuous length of a material absorbable in the human body into predetermined lengths to form cylindrical implants;
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placing the cylindrical implants in a container partially filled with a particulate abrasive media; causing the cylindrical implants to be continuously impacted with the particulate media so as to abrade all surfaces of the implant and eliminate any sharp edges on the implant, the continuous impaction creating polished surfaces and separating the cylindrical implants from the abrasive media. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification