Collagen forceps

Abstract

A collagen forceps includes two elongate members coupled at a proximal live hinge. Each elongate member is provided with a knurled finger pad ergonomically contoured to stably receive a finger or thumb of a physician, and a manipulation tip having an interior collagen rod gripping surface. The gripping surfaces each include an angulated or curved surface provided with ridges and shaped to engage the collagen rod axially with the elongate members. Preferably each manipulation tip is also provided with a silicon boot. In addition, the instrument is also provided with a projection having a dilation/insertion tip. The collagen forceps of the invention enables a more controlled implantation of collagen rods through the punctal opening and into the naso-lacrimal duct. The contoured finger pads provide a physician with a more comfortable and more controllable instrument. The gripping surfaces of the manipulation tips, especially when provided with silicon boots, enable easy grasping of the collagen rods and stably engage the rods such that the collagen rod cannot rotate about or slide away from the gripping surfaces. As such, the collagen forceps permits relatively easy manipulation of the rods into the ducts. The dilation/insertion tip of the projection can be used to dilate the punctal opening to facilitate collagen rod insertion therein, and may also be used to push the collagen rod deep into the punctal opening.