Patent US5345948A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5345948A
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Method of performing translactrimal laser dacryocystorhinostomy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1993-04-08
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Granted: 1994-09-13
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Expires: 2013-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A method fo performing dacryocystorhinostomy is provided in which the surgeon inserts a video endoscope into a punctum, through the associated canaliculus and into the lacrimal sac. The surgeon passes a bone cutting laser, connected to a fiber optic bundle, through the other punctum, through the associated canaliculus and into the lacrimal sac. The laser is illuminated through the fiber optic bundle and visualized through the video endoscope. The laser is properly positioned sometime with the help of a transnasal videoendoscope to confirm optimal position relative to nasal structure. The laser is then activated so as to form a full thickness tear draining fistula through the sac and the nasal bone. A tube or stent may be placed to keep the fistula patent or from closure.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis E. O'Donnell, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00772; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61F2/00; A61F2/82
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for performing ophthalmological surgery comprising the steps of: making a first punctum through the upper eyelid margin to attain access to a first canaliculus; passing a video endoscope through the first punctum and through the first canaliculus; passing said video endoscope into a lacrimal sac; making a second punctum through the lower eyelid margin to attain access to a second canaliculus; passing a bone cutting laser through the second punctum and through the second canaliculus; passing said bone cutting laser into said lacrimal sac; visualizing said laser through said video endoscope; positioning said laser towards an inferior turbinae bone; activating said laser; and forming a full thickness fistula through said lacrimal sac and through said inferior turbinate bone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for performing ophthalmological surgery comprising the steps of: making a first punctum through the upper eyelid margin to attain access to a first canaliculus; passing a video endoscope through the first punctum and through the first canaliculus; passing said video endoscope into a lacrimal sac; making a second punctum through the lower eyelid margin to attain access to a second canaliculus; passing a bone cutting laser through the second punctum and through the second canaliculus; passing said bone cutting laser into said lacrimal sac; visualizing said laser through said video endoscope; positioning said laser towards an inferior turbinae bone; activating said laser; and forming a full thickness fistula through said lacrimal sac and through said inferior turbinate bone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further using the translacrimal laser to remove dacryoliths or perforate a soft tissue obstruction in the nasolacrimal duct to achieve normal drainage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of passing a video endoscope through a first punctum and through a first canaliculus further comprises a step of passing a FVS 1000 video endoscope through a first punctum and through a first canaliculus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of passing a laser through a second punctum and through a second canaliculus further comprises the step of passing a laser which has been connected to a fiber optic bundle through a second punctum and through a second canaliculus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said laser is a YAG laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 further using the translacrimal laser to revise a failed DCR.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said laser is a Holmium laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of visualizing said laser through said video endoscope further comprises the step of illuminating said laser through said fiber optic bundle.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of performing a translacrimal laser dacryocystorhinostomy comprising the steps of: creating a first punctum in the upper eyelid margin to attain access to the canaliculus; passing a video endoscope through the first punctum; passing said video endoscope through the first canaliculus; passing said video endoscope into the lacrimal sac; creating a second punctum through the lower eyelid margin to attain access to the second canaliculus; passing a bone cutting laser through the second canaliculus; passing said bone cutting laser into said lacrimal sac; illuminating said laser through a fiber optic bundle; visualizing said laser through said video endoscope; positioning said laser towards an inferior turbinate bone; activating said laser; forming a full thickness fistula through said lacrimal sac and through said inferior turbinate bone.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of performing a translacrimal laser dacryocystorhinostomy comprising the steps of: creating a first punctum in the upper eyelid margin to attain access to the canaliculus; passing a video endoscope through the first punctum; passing said video endoscope through the first canaliculus; passing said video endoscope into the lacrimal sac; creating a second punctum through the lower eyelid margin to attain access to the second canaliculus; passing a bone cutting laser through the second canaliculus; passing said bone cutting laser into said lacrimal sac; illuminating said laser through a fiber optic bundle; visualizing said laser through said video endoscope; positioning said laser towards an inferior turbinate bone; activating said laser; forming a full thickness fistula through said lacrimal sac and through said inferior turbinate bone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said laser is a YAG laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said laser is a Homium laser.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of placing a stent in said full thickness fistual.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4660546A
Cited
US5217452A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-12 | 1998-03-14 | 1998-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-12 | 2002-03-14 | 2002-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-12 | 2006-03-14 | 2006-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |