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:
Sep. 18, 2001
Filed:
Mar. 02, 1998
Robert S. Herrick, Rialto, CA (US);
Herrick Family Limited Partnership, Rancho, CA (US);
Abstract
A punctum plug for insertion through a punctum opening of an eye and into the canaliculus to occlude the punctum opening and canaliculus is shown. The punctum plug, or implant, comprises an elongated member having a pair of spaced ends wherein one of the pair of ends includes a distal section, preferably in the form of collapsible expanded section which terminates in a distal tip which extends in a direction substantially normal or perpendicular to the central axis. The other end of the pair of ends includes a thin retaining lip which extends in an anterior direction and which is adapted to be oriented to extend beyond the edge of the punctum opening and to engage the lip margin defining the eyelid. The elongated member, including the collapsible expanded section and distal section, are formed of a dimension to pass through a punctum opening of an eye. A method for treating external eye condition due to a deficiency of tears utilizing the punctum plug is also shown.