Lacrimal silicone stent with very large diameter segment insertable transnasally
US6238364A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F9/00772
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A lacrimal silicone stent has a very large diameter segment with a diameter greater than the largest diameter stent which can be pulled through the canaliculi readily without damaging the canaliculi, a thin central segment, a moderate diameter segment, and a distal segment with a lumen extending partway from its end. A lumen can also be provided in the very large diameter segment to enhance its flexibility. In addition, a lumina may be provided in the moderate diameter segment when it is formed as an extruded tube. Except for the lumina, the stent is solid. The stent may be molded in one piece, but it may also be made of molded and extruded segments which are fused together. To install the stent, according to a first method a sheath is inserted through the lacrimal system from the eye, through a DCR ostium into the nasal cavity. The distal segment is threaded into the sheath which is used to pull the distal segment back through the lacrimal system and out the superior canaliculus and punctum. A probe is inserted through a sidewall of the distal segment into the lumen. The probe is then pushed through the inferior punctum, the inferior canaliculus, the common canaliculus, the lacrim…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.