US4921485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catheter for use in the surgical correction of a nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Assignee: THOMTE DENNIS L
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Filing: 1988-09-28
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Granted: 1990-05-01
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Expires: 2008-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A catheter for use in the surgical correction of a nasolacrimal duct obstruction comprising elongated tubular portion having an enlarged mushroom-shaped head portion at the upper end thereon. When the catheter is properly placed during the surgical procedure, the head portion of the catheter prevents longitudinal displacement thereof and prevents the "scarring over" of the nasolacrimal duct.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Griffiths
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 02:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00772
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
In combination, a flexible tube having ends for extending downwardly, through the puncta, canaliculi, nasolacrimal sac and nasal cavity of a person's nasolacrimal system, a catheter having upper and lower ends, the inside diameter of said catheter being such that the free ends of the flexible tube may be extended therethrough, the length of said catheter being such that said catheter may be extended into the upper end of the nasal cavity with the upper end thereof positioned in the nasolacrimal sac, said catheter having a flexible, enlarged head portion provided on its upper end for positioning in the nasolacrimal sac.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
In combination, a flexible tube having ends for extending downwardly, through the puncta, canaliculi, nasolacrimal sac and nasal cavity of a person's nasolacrimal system, a catheter having upper and lower ends, the inside diameter of said catheter being such that the free ends of the flexible tube may be extended therethrough, the length of said catheter being such that said catheter may be extended into the upper end of the nasal cavity with the upper end thereof positioned in the nasolacrimal sac, said catheter having a flexible, enlarged head portion provided on its upper end for positioning in the nasolacrimal sac.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said head portion comprises a plurality of spaced-apart, V-shaped fingers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said head portion is mushroom shaped and has a plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein to permit the flexible tube to be extended therethrough.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
116 words
The method of intubating the nasolacrimal system of a patient comprising the steps of: performing a dacryocystorhinostomy including creation of an incision which exposes the nasolacrimal sac, looping the free ends of a flexible tube downwardly through the puncta, canaliculi into the nasolacrimal sac and outwardly through the incision,, providing a catheter having an enlarged head portion at its upper end, extending the free ends of the tube downwardly through the enlarged head portion of a catheter and through the catheter, extending the free ends of the tube and the lower end of the catheter into the nasal cavity while maintaining the enlarged head portion of the catheter in the nasolacrimal sac, and closing the incision.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
116 words
The method of intubating the nasolacrimal system of a patient comprising the steps of: performing a dacryocystorhinostomy including creation of an incision which exposes the nasolacrimal sac, looping the free ends of a flexible tube downwardly through the puncta, canaliculi into the nasolacrimal sac and outwardly through the incision,, providing a catheter having an enlarged head portion at its upper end, extending the free ends of the tube downwardly through the enlarged head portion of a catheter and through the catheter, extending the free ends of the tube and the lower end of the catheter into the nasal cavity while maintaining the enlarged head portion of the catheter in the nasolacrimal sac, and closing the incision.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7 wherein knots are formed in the free ends of the tube below the lower end of the catheter to prevent upward movement of the tube relative to said catheter and to aid in preventing downward movement of the catheter relative to the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the tube is secured against movement relative to the catheter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-30 | 1993-10-30 | 1994-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-30 | 1997-10-30 | 1998-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-30 | 2001-10-30 | 2002-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |