Lacrimal silicone tube with reduced friction
US6113567A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L31/06
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Lacrimal tissue inflammation and scarring is minimized when an ostium formed by balloon dacryocystorhinostomy is stented by a silicone member having a stent portion which may be treated to reduce friction between the stent portion and tissue supporting the lacrimal mucosal surface when the silicone member moves due to blinking. The stent portion may be treated by plasma deposition of a vaporized silicone based monomer upon the outer surface of the silicone member which is covalently bonded to the silicone member thereby forming a silicone polymer coating which is very smooth and pit-free. The member has a thin central segment of relatively small outer diameter, a pair of fat segments of relatively large outer diameter at opposite ends thereof, and thin end segments connected to the fat segments. The stent portion is formed from the central segment and the proximate end portions of the fat segments. The member is inserted in the lacrimal system, by threading each end segment from the eye through a respective punctum, a canaliculus, the lacrimal sac and the ostium into the nasal cavity. The member is pulled down the nasal cavity by grasping the thin end segments while pulling the fat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.