Patent US6082362A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6082362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Punctum plug
Assignee: Corza Ophthalmology Products Inc
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Filing: 1999-05-05
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Granted: 2000-07-04
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Expires: 2019-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A punctum plug includes a proximal head, a distal body, and a thin-walled flexible shaft between the head and the body. The thin wall of the shaft of the plug is preferably provided with accordion-like folds, thereby permitting the length of the shaft to vary depending upon the degree to which the accordion-like folds are folded or unfolded. In addition, the accordion-like folds permit the thin wall of the shaft to easily bend, permitting the head and body of the plug to lie along different axes. As a result, the plug is shaped to accommodate both relatively long and short vertical puncta and the body of the plug may be angled relative to the head to accommodate a variety of anatomical structures. According to another aspect of the invention, the body of the plug may be provided with a thread which rotationally guides the plug into the small punctal opening when insertional and rotational forces are applied to the plug. As a result, a relatively larger body size may be used. Moreover, the thread provides improved plug fixation.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas J. Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12022; A61B17/12099; A61B17/12131; A61B17/12159; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A punctum plug for insertion into a punctal opening of a nasal lacrimal duct and adapted for use with an insertion tool having a non-circular cross-section, said punctum plug comprising: a) a proximal head portion; b) a distal body portion sized to fit into the punctal opening; c) a shaft portion between said head portion and said body portion, said head portion and said shaft portion at least partially defining an axial bore having a non-circular cross-section, said axial bore for cooperating with the insertion tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A punctum plug for insertion into a punctal opening of a nasal lacrimal duct and adapted for use with an insertion tool having a non-circular cross-section, said punctum plug comprising: a) a proximal head portion; b) a distal body portion sized to fit into the punctal opening; c) a shaft portion between said head portion and said body portion, said head portion and said shaft portion at least partially defining an axial bore having a non-circular cross-section, said axial bore for cooperating with the insertion tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A punctum plug according to claim 1, wherein: said head portion, said shaft portion, and said body portion defining said axial bore, said axial bore having one of a rectangular and hexagonal cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A punctum plug according to claim 1, wherein: said head portion has a concave proximal surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A punctum plug according to claim 1, wherein: said distal body portion has a thread.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A punctum plug according to claim 1, wherein: said shaft portion is flexible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A punctum plug according to claim 5, wherein: said shaft portion has a diameter and includes a wall having a thickness approximately one-fourth said diameter of said shaft portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A punctum plug according to claim 5, wherein: said shaft portion has a circumference and includes at least one of a foldable portion, a groove, and a rib substantially around said circumference and about which said shaft portion is adapted to flex.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A punctum plug according to claim 1, wherein: said body portion includes a tip which is one of pointed, rounded and truncated in shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A punctum plug for insertion into a punctal opening of a nasal lacrimal duct, said punctum plug comprising: a) a proximal head portion; b) a distal body portion sized to snugly fit into the punctal opening; and c) a shaft portion having a circumference and at least one of a foldable portion, a groove, and a rib substantially around said circumference and about which said shaft portion is adapted to flex.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A punctum plug for insertion into a punctal opening of a nasal lacrimal duct, said punctum plug comprising: a) a proximal head portion; b) a distal body portion sized to snugly fit into the punctal opening; and c) a shaft portion having a circumference and at least one of a foldable portion, a groove, and a rib substantially around said circumference and about which said shaft portion is adapted to flex.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A punctum plug according to claim 9, wherein: said head portion has a concave proximal shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A punctum plug according to claim 9, wherein: said body portion includes a tip which is one of pointed, rounded and truncated in shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A punctum plug according to claim 9, wherein: said body portion has a thread.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A punctum plug according to claim 12, wherein: said thread is an external thread having a width of approximately 0.005 inches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A punctum plug according to claim 12, wherein: said thread is an external thread which is raised from said body by approximately 0.005 inches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
86 words
A punctum plug for insertion into a punctal opening of a nasal lacrimal duct, said punctum plug consisting essentially of: a) a proximal head portion; b) a distal body portion sized to fit into the punctal opening such that the lacrimal duct is occluded, said body portion having an outer surface with a spiraling means for guiding said punctum plug into the punctal opening, said spiraling means sized to engage the punctal opening; and c) a shaft portion between said head portion and said body portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
86 words
A punctum plug for insertion into a punctal opening of a nasal lacrimal duct, said punctum plug consisting essentially of: a) a proximal head portion; b) a distal body portion sized to fit into the punctal opening such that the lacrimal duct is occluded, said body portion having an outer surface with a spiraling means for guiding said punctum plug into the punctal opening, said spiraling means sized to engage the punctal opening; and c) a shaft portion between said head portion and said body portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A punctum plug according to claim 15, wherein: said means for guiding is a thread.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
A punctum plug according to claim 15, wherein: said shaft portion includes a circumference and at least one of a foldable portion, a groove, and a rib substantially around said circumference about which said shaft portion is adapted to flex.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A punctum plug according to claim 15, wherein: said body portion is substantially conically shaped.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A punctum plug according to claim 15, wherein: said head portion has a concave proximal surface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of inserting a punctum plug into the punctal opening of the nasal lacrimal duct, the punctum plug having head, shaft, and body portions which define an axial bore having a substantially non-circular cross-section, said method comprising: a) inserting an insertion tool having a substantially non-circular cross-section into the axial bore of the punctum plug such that rotation of the insertion tool causes the punctum plug to rotate; b) positioning the body portion of the plug against the punctal opening of the nasal lacrimal duct; c) applying rotational and insertional force to the insertion tool until the punctum plug is satisfactorily inserted into the nasal lacrimal duct; and d) removing the insertion tool.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of inserting a punctum plug into the punctal opening of the nasal lacrimal duct, the punctum plug having head, shaft, and body portions which define an axial bore having a substantially non-circular cross-section, said method comprising: a) inserting an insertion tool having a substantially non-circular cross-section into the axial bore of the punctum plug such that rotation of the insertion tool causes the punctum plug to rotate; b) positioning the body portion of the plug against the punctal opening of the nasal lacrimal duct; c) applying rotational and insertional force to the insertion tool until the punctum plug is satisfactorily inserted into the nasal lacrimal duct; and d) removing the insertion tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-01-03 | 2004-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-04 | 2008-01-03 | 2008-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-04 | 2012-01-03 | 2012-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |