US4915684A — Method and apparatus for modulating the flow of l…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 188 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device for controlling the flow of the lacrimal fluid through the punctum and associated canaliculus of a human eye comprising: a generally cylindrical body member having an axial bore extending from a first, inlet, end of said generally cylindrical body to a second, outlet, end thereof; an arcuate head member fashioned at said first end of said generally cylindrical body, said arcuate head member having, a bore coaxial with the bore of said generally cylindrical body, and the exterior diameter of said arcuate head member being greater than the exterior diameter of said generally cylindrical body member; means peripherally fashioned about the exterior surface of said generally cylindrical body member at said second end of said body member, for facilitating placement of said generally cylindrical body member through a punctum of a patient and for retaining said cylindrical body member within an associated canaliculus; and said axial bore extending completely through said generally cylindrical body member to operably modulate the flow of lacrimal fluid through the punctum and associated canaliculus and thus enhancing the retention of lacrimal fluid within the eye of a patient.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 188 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device for controlling the flow of the lacrimal fluid through the punctum and associated canaliculus of a human eye comprising: a generally cylindrical body member having an axial bore extending from a first, inlet, end of said generally cylindrical body to a second, outlet, end thereof; an arcuate head member fashioned at said first end of said generally cylindrical body, said arcuate head member having, a bore coaxial with the bore of said generally cylindrical body, and the exterior diameter of said arcuate head member being greater than the exterior diameter of said generally cylindrical body member; means peripherally fashioned about the exterior surface of said generally cylindrical body member at said second end of said body member, for facilitating placement of said generally cylindrical body member through a punctum of a patient and for retaining said cylindrical body member within an associated canaliculus; and said axial bore extending completely through said generally cylindrical body member to operably modulate the flow of lacrimal fluid through the punctum and associated canaliculus and thus enhancing the retention of lacrimal fluid within the eye of a patient.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 1 wherein: the internal diameter of said axial bore at said first, inlet, end is greater than the internal diameter of said axial bore at said second, outlet, end.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 43 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claims 1 or 2 wherein: the internal diameter of said axial bore of said generally cylindrical body member at said second, outlet, end is not less than 0.12 mm and not greater than 0.36 mm.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 35 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 3 wherein: the internal diameter of said axial bore of said generally cylindrical body member at said second, outlet, end is substantially equal to 0.24 mm.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 2 wherein: said axial bore is tapered from said first, inlet, end to said second, outlet end.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 2 wherein: said axial bore is stepped from a first diameter at said first, inlet, end of said generally cylindrical body to a smaller, second diameter at said second, outlet, end of said generally cylindrical body.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means peripherally fashioned about the exterior surface of said generally cylindrical body member comprises: a single conical exterior surface extending upwardly and outwardly from an initial position at the second, outlet, end of said generally cylindrical body.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 88 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means peripherally fashioned about the exterior surface of said generally cylindrical body member comprises: a first conical exterior surface extending upwardly and outwardly from said second, outlet, end of said generally cylindrical body member; and at least a second conical surface extending upwardly and outwardly upstream of said first conical surface from a position upon the exterior surface of said generally cylindrical body member upstream of said second, outlet, end of said generally cylindrical body member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 46 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 8 wherein: said axial bore is stepped from a first diameter at said first, inlet, end of said generally cylindrical body to a smaller, second, diameter at the second, outlet, end of said generally cylindrical body member.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 41 words

A lacrimal fluid modulating device as defined in claim 9 wherein: said second diameter of said axial bore of said generally cylindrical body member at said second, outlet, end is not less than 0.12 mm and not greater than 0.36 mm.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 107 words

A method for modulating the flow of lacrimal fluid through the punctum an associated canaliculus of a human eye comprising: dilating a punctum opening of a patient; inserting through the dialated punctum opening and partially into an associated canaliculus, a modulating device having a generally cylindrical body, a head portion and an enlarged tip portion, until the head rests upon the punctal opening and the enlarged tip extends into the associated canaliculus to retain the modulating device in place; and maintaining a bore through said modulating device to permit a regulated flow of lacrimal fluid from the eye of a patient through the punctum and associated canaliculus.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 107 words

A method for modulating the flow of lacrimal fluid through the punctum an associated canaliculus of a human eye comprising: dilating a punctum opening of a patient; inserting through the dialated punctum opening and partially into an associated canaliculus, a modulating device having a generally cylindrical body, a head portion and an enlarged tip portion, until the head rests upon the punctal opening and the enlarged tip extends into the associated canaliculus to retain the modulating device in place; and maintaining a bore through said modulating device to permit a regulated flow of lacrimal fluid from the eye of a patient through the punctum and associated canaliculus.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 50 words

A method for modulating the flow of lacrimal fluid as defined in claim 11 wherein said step of maintaining a bore comprises: providing a bore through the generally cylindrical body within an internal diameter at the enlarged tip end not less than 0.12 mm and not greater than 0.36 mm.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1993-04-09	1993-10-09	1994-04-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1997-04-09	1997-10-09	1998-04-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2001-04-09	2001-10-09	2002-04-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for modulating the flow of lacrimal fluid through a punctum and associated canaliculus

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