The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 22, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 10, 1998
Richard W Mendius, Collierville, TN (US);
Eagle Vision, Inc., Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
A punctum plug includes a proximal head, a distal body, and a shaft between the head and the body. The head and shaft are provided with a bore to facilitate insertion of the plug through the punctal opening with an insertion tool. According to one aspect of the invention, the head is provided with a lower portion having a frustoconical shape which, in situ, reduces the external profile of the head, without sacrificing the thickness of the head. Preferably, the head includes peripheral upper and lower surfaces which are both non-orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and a more central upper surface which is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. According to a second aspect of the invention, the head has an oblong cross-section such that long and short lateral dimensions are defined across the head. According to a third aspect of the invention, at least a proximal portion of the shaft is provided with an oblong cross-section. The exterior shape of the head, and the oblong shape of the head and waist provide a punctum plug which has an improved anatomical fit in the vertical punctum and at the punctal opening, and thereby minimizes contact between the head of the plug and the conjunctiva of the eye, and thereby reduces eye irritation.