Punctal plug inserter and method

摘要

A surgical tool for inserting a spile or plug into the punctal opening of a meatus such as a lacrimo-nasal canaliculus comprises an oblong, hollowed member shaped and dimensioned to be conveniently manipulated with one hand and having at one of its end a punctal opening and meatus-dilating shaft and, at the opposite end, a plug inserter. The dilating shaft has a cross-diameter substantially equal to the cross-diameter of the plug and is terminated by a conical spike. The inserter comprises a tip extending axially from the member and having, at its distal end, a cup whose internal geometry is commensurate with a cap at the proximal end of the plug. A penetration-resisting bearing surface is provided by the cup rim. The plug can be allowed to retract within the cup under the force of insertion. A steel wire running through the inserter has its distal end inserted into the cap of the plug. The wire can be axially withdrawn by unidirectionally pressing a button in order to release the plug after insertion into the meatus.

主权项

1. The combination of a punctal plug and a tool for inserting said plug into the punctal opening of a meatus having a given diameter,
wherein said plug comprises:
a distal insertable head portion backed by a shank terminating in a proximal cap having a distal flange surface oriented to rest against tissue surrounding said opening when properly inserted; wherein said tool comprises:
a median member having a proximal end, a distal end, and an elongated tip projecting from said distal end;a holder for releasably securing said plug to said tip, said holder comprising:
a cup having an internal geometry commensurate with said cap and a distal opening constantly large enough to allow axial passage of said cap therethrough; and,an insertion-resisting bearing surface surrounding said distal opening;a notch in a wall of said cup exposing a view of said cap when said tool is at rest with said plug engaged thereon, and said bearing surface being located at an axial position coplanar with or distal to said flange surface when said plug is properly positioned within said meatus, and visibly exposing a medial portion of said shank when said tool is at rest with a plug engaged thereon.