US4959048A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lacrimal duct occluder
Assignee: Helix Medical Inc
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Filing: 1989-01-17
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Granted: 1990-09-25
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Expires: 2009-01-17
Abstract
Abstract A reversible, flexible, lacrimal duct occluder is formed of a shaft having a low profile cap at one end and a rounded tip at the other end. At least one, preferably 1-3, conical ranges are forward on the shaft between the ends. The rounded tip enters the punctum followed by leading edge of the range(s) until the occluder bends and enters the horizontal canalicular canal. A series of occluders having 1-3 ranges and varying lengths can be provided to accommodate the different canalicular geometries of different individuals. The occluder is readily inserted without the need to use any special introducer tool and is easily removed from the canaliculus of the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund V. Seder
- 👤 William F. Sardi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00772; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12159
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A reversible, flexible lacrimal duct occluder adapted to enter the punctum opening and block a canalicular canal having a vertical canaliculus connected to a horizontal canaliculus comprising in combination a low profile cap having a width larger than the punctum opening; a shaft having distal end and a proximal end connected to the cap; a rounded tip connected to the distal end of the shaft; and at least one rearwardly tapered conical ramp section mounted on said shaft between said ends and the diameter of the ramp being sufficient to block said canal and the distance between said ends being greater than the length of the vertical canaliculus such that the shaft bends and enters the horizontal canaliculus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A reversible, flexible lacrimal duct occluder adapted to enter the punctum opening and block a canalicular canal having a vertical canaliculus connected to a horizontal canaliculus comprising in combination a low profile cap having a width larger than the punctum opening; a shaft having distal end and a proximal end connected to the cap; a rounded tip connected to the distal end of the shaft; and at least one rearwardly tapered conical ramp section mounted on said shaft between said ends and the diameter of the ramp being sufficient to block said canal and the distance between said ends being greater than the length of the vertical canaliculus such that the shaft bends and enters the horizontal canaliculus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An occluder according to claim 1 in which the shaft contains 1 to 3 conical sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An occluder according to claim 2 in which the conical sections are in adjacent positions on the shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An occluder according to claim 2 in which two adjacent conical sections are spaced on the shaft whereby the segment on the shaft between said adjacent sections permits preferential bending at the segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An occluder according to claim 3 in which the tip has a smaller diameter than the adjacent conical ramp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An occluder according to claim 1 in which the conical sections have a gradual taper forming an angle with the shaft from 2° to 15°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An occluder according to claim 6 in which said angle is from 3° to 10°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An occluder according to claim 1 formed of inert, non-toxic, medical-grade polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
An occluder according to claim 8 in which the polymer is an elastomer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An occluder according to claim 9 in which the elastomer is a silicone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of temporarily blocking the lacrimal duct comprising the steps of: inserting into the punctum the lacrimal duct occluder of claim 1 with the cap of the occluder seated on the punctum and the tip of the occluder within the horizontal canaliculus; maintaining the occluder in the lacrimal canal for a period; and removing the occluder from the duct and punctum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 in which an occluder is inserted into opposed upper and lower punctums.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A reversible lacrimal duct occluder comprising: a flexible member having a shaft including a first end and a second end; a low profile cap having a larger diameter than the shaft attached to the first end of the shaft; a rounded tip attached to the second end of the shaft; and a plurality of conical sections gently sloping outwardly toward the cap mounted on the shaft between said ends and the distance between said ends being greater than the length of the vertical canaliculus such that the shaft bends and enters the horizontal canaliculus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
A reversible lacrimal duct occluder comprising: a flexible member having a shaft including a first end and a second end; a low profile cap having a larger diameter than the shaft attached to the first end of the shaft; a rounded tip attached to the second end of the shaft; and a plurality of conical sections gently sloping outwardly toward the cap mounted on the shaft between said ends and the distance between said ends being greater than the length of the vertical canaliculus such that the shaft bends and enters the horizontal canaliculus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An occluder according to claim 13 in which the end of one of the conical sections is spaced a distance from the beginning of the adjacent conical section on the shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
A reversible, flexible lacrimal duct occluder adapted to enter the punctum opening and block a canalicular canal comprising in combination: a cap having a width larger than the punctum opening; a shaft having a distal end and proximal end connected to the cap; a rounded tip connected to the distal end of the shaft, the distance between said ends being greater that the length of the vertical canaliculus such that the shaft bends and enters the horizontal canaliculus; at least two rearwardly tapered conical ramp sections mounted on said shaft between said ends; and two of said conical sections being spaced on said shaft from each other to form a segment of said shaft which permits preferential bending of the shaft at said segment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
A reversible, flexible lacrimal duct occluder adapted to enter the punctum opening and block a canalicular canal comprising in combination: a cap having a width larger than the punctum opening; a shaft having a distal end and proximal end connected to the cap; a rounded tip connected to the distal end of the shaft, the distance between said ends being greater that the length of the vertical canaliculus such that the shaft bends and enters the horizontal canaliculus; at least two rearwardly tapered conical ramp sections mounted on said shaft between said ends; and two of said conical sections being spaced on said shaft from each other to form a segment of said shaft which permits preferential bending of the shaft at said segment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An occluder according to claim 15 in which all the conical sections have substantially the same maximum diameter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
An occluder according to claim 16 in which the outer edge of each conical section is rounded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-24 | 1994-03-26 | 1994-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-24 | 1998-03-26 | 1998-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-24 | 2002-03-26 | 2002-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |