Bicanalicular probe for the treatment of the lachrymation of the eye

• US 6,152,916 A
• Filed: 11/24/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pierre Andre Jacques Bige
• Original Assignee: Pierre Andre Jacques Bige
• Inventors: Bige, Pierre Andre Jacques
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAM, JOCELYN D
• Application Number:
  US09/199,051
• Time in Patent Office: 735 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/108, 604/8
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00772 Apparatus for restoration of tear ducts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/01 Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters A61M25/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence

Abstract

A bicanalicular probe for the treatment of eye lachrymation including a filiform silicone element having free ends, each of which includes an anchor with flexible legs for retention of the filiform element at a junction of the lachrymal canaliculi and the lachrymal sac, the probe being particularly applicable in the treatment of canalicular stenosis.

Claims

1. A bicanalicular probe for treatment of lachrymation of a human eye along a duct including lachrymal canaliculi and a lachrymal sac, the probe comprising a filiform element having two opposite free ends, wherein both free ends of the filiform element comprise means for retaining the filiform element at a junction of the lachrymal canaliculi and the lachrymal sac.

2. The probe according to claim 1, wherein each retaining means comprises an anchor with at least two flexible legs.

3. The probe according to claim 2, wherein the flexible legs of the anchor in a state of rest are turned towards the filiform element.

4. The probe according to claim 2, wherein each end of the filiform element comprises a rod portion of the anchor and has a recess for receiving a rod for operating the respective end.

5. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the filiform element has a length between about 15 and 30 mm.

6. The probe according to claim 2, wherein the flexible legs of each anchor fold themselves back upon the filiform element during insertion of the probe and unfold after having moved past the junction opening into the lachrymal sac.

7. The probe according the claim 5, wherein the length of the filiform element is between 20 and 22 mm.

8. The probe according to claim 1, wherein the filiform element is silicone.