U.S. patent application number 10/754670 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for more easily visualized punctum plug configurations.
Invention is credited to Gillespie, Donald E..
Application Number | 20040141151 10/754670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25313542 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040141151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gillespie, Donald E. |
July 22, 2004 |
More easily visualized punctum plug configurations
Abstract
An improved punctum plug is more easily visualized when
positioned within a punctual canal of a recipient. The body of the
plug features an outwardly exposed surface when properly
positioned, and a substance causing at least the outwardly exposed
surface to contrast with surrounding tissue, such that the use of
the substance causes the plug to be more easily visualized than if
the substance were not present. The substance, which may be
disposed on the outwardly exposed surface or within the body of the
plug, may include a saturated coloration, or may be phosphorescent,
fluorescent or otherwise operative to reflect or re-radiate light
to assist in visualization. For example, the substance may include
an organic or inorganic phosphor or fluorescent material,
reflective beads, quantum dots, a dye or pigment. Such reflection
or re-radiation may occur at the same or different wavelength(s)
compared to the illumination wavelength(s), whether or not either
or both are within the visible part of the spectrum. If outside the
visible region, a detector may be employed according to the
invention for detecting the radiated light. A system for
determining whether or not a punctum plug is positioned within the
punctal canal of a person's eye is also enclosed, including at
least one optical element permitting the eye to view itself, to be
viewed by the other eye, or by a second person.
Inventors: |
Gillespie, Donald E.; (Ann
Arbor, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John G. Posa
Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
280 N. Old Woodward Ave., Suite 400
Birmingham
MI
48009-5394
US
|
Family ID: |
25313542 |
Appl. No.: |
10/754670 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10754670 |
Jan 9, 2004 |
|
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09852519 |
May 10, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B82Y 5/00 20130101; B82Y
10/00 20130101; A61F 9/00772 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/200 |
International
Class: |
A61B 003/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. Apparatus for viewing a punctum plug illuminated by a source of
light in a person's eye, comprising: a lens for magnifying the
image of the punctum plug; at least one light redirecting element
for presenting the magnified image of the plug to an eye of an
observer; and one or more optical element for blocking the light
from the source of light from reaching the observer's eye.
2. A system for determining whether or not a punctum plug is
positioned within the punctal canal of a person's eye, the system
comprising: the punctum plug of claim 1; and at least one optical
element permitting the eye to view itself, to be viewed by the
other eye, or by a second person.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical element includes a
source of light at one or more illumination wavelengths causing the
plug to reflect or re-radiate light.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the light which is reflected or
re-radiated by the plug occurs at one or more wavelengths which are
different from the illumination wavelength or wavelengths.
5. The system of claim 4, further including a filter to block or
separate the reflected or re-radiated wavelength(s) from the
illumination wavelength(s).
6. The system of claim 4, further including a detector to detect
the reflected or re-radiated wavelength(s).
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical element includes a
magnifier.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical element includes a
beam splitter or mirror permitting the eye to view itself or to be
viewed by the other eye, or by a second person.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, including a plurality of light
redirecting elements enabling the person to view the eye containing
the plug by the person's other eye.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light redirecting element
enables a person other than the person wearing the plug to view the
plug.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light redirecting element
enables the person wearing the plug to view the plug with the
person's other eye.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the light redirecting
element is switchable between a first position, such that a person
other than the person wearing the plug is able to view the plug;
and a first position, such that the person wearing the plug is able
to view the plug with the person's other eye.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the plug radiates light at a
wavelength other than the one used for illumination; and the
optical element for blocking the light from the source includes a
wavelength-selective filter.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/852,519, filed May 10, 2001, the entire content of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the punctum plug and in
particular, to plugs and apparatus which enable a plug to be more
easily visualized following insertion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Tears are provided to the human eye to lubricate them,
supply nutrients and guard against environmental contaminants. The
tears are secreted by the lachrymal gland, and the excess fluid is
carried away by lachrymal or punctal canals into the lachrymal sac,
and along the nasal duct into the cavity of the nose.
[0004] A condition called "dry eye" may occur when inadequate tears
are produced. Generally, this is the result of improper body
chemistry, injury, or the aging process. This condition may affect
either or both of the eyes and causes the eyes to feel scratchy and
irritated. Artificial eye drops may provide temporary relief from
the problem, but a long term solution is desirable.
[0005] One long-term solution involves the reversible closing of
one of the drain ducts of the affect eye. This is done by inserting
a plug into one of the ducts, or punctual canals. Typically, this
is a clinical procedure requiring less than a half hour. However, a
problem often arises after the plug is inserted because the body
may eject the plug from the canal, or it may be "rubbed out" by the
recipient. In either event, the value of the treatment is lost.
Therefore, the recipient has great interest in knowing the plug
remains in place.
[0006] As the plug is extremely small, generally being less than a
millimeter in diameter and a millimeter or so in length, it is very
difficult to see. Also, the plug is made all the more difficult to
see because it is currently made of Silastic rubber that is
naturally flesh colored and translucent and is therefore not easily
seen. It is the objects of this invention to make the punctum plug
readably visible or detectable to the recipient or caregiver, and
thereby help the recipient determine that the plug remains properly
in place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention improves upon the existing art by providing a
punctum plug which is more easily visualized when positioned within
a punctual canal of a recipient. Broadly, a plug according to the
invention includes a body having an outwardly exposed surface when
properly positioned, and a substance causing at least the outwardly
exposed surface to contrast with surrounding tissue, such that the
use of the substance causes the plug to be more easily visualized
than if the substance were not present. The rest of the plug body
may be composed of any suitable material, including those presently
used in the manufacture of such devices.
[0008] The substance, which may be disposed on the outwardly
exposed surface or within the body of the plug, may include a
saturated coloration, or may be phosphorescent, fluorescent or
otherwise operative to reflect or re-radiate light to assist in
visualization. For example, the substance may include an organic or
inorganic phosphor or fluorescent material, reflective beads,
quantum dots, a dye or pigment. Such reflection or re-radiation may
occur at the same or different wavelength(s) compared to the
illumination wavelength(s), whether or not either or both are
within the visible part of the spectrum.
[0009] If outside the visible region, a detector may be employed
according to the invention for detecting the radiated light. A
system for determining whether or not a punctum plug is positioned
within the punctal canal of a person's eye is also enclosed,
including at least one optical element permitting the eye to view
itself, to be viewed by the other eye, or by a second person.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical aid and
accompanying method according to the invention for viewing a
punctum plug without interference from illumination from a primary
source; and
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an optical aid and
accompanying method according to the invention for viewing a
punctum plug using the same eye into which the plug has been
installed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Broadly, this invention resides in punctum plug
configurations which are more easily visualized, preferably
allowing the presence and position of the plug to be seen by
another person or by the recipient in a mirror. In one preferred
embodiment, at least the outwardly exposed surface of the plug, or
the entire plug body, is pigmented to contrast with surrounding
tissue. For example, unlike existing devices, the exposed surface
or plug body may be black or a saturated fluorescent color to
create a more defined visual contrast.
[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the end of the plug or entire
body is coated with, or otherwise contains a fluorescent dye,
phosphor, phosphorescent pigment, reflective beads, quantum dots,
or other material allowing the plug to be more easily visualized
with appropriate illumination. In these embodiments, the plug
preferably glows in the visible spectrum, though optical detectors
such as a photodetector may be used if the light is outside the
visible range.
[0014] Additives applicable to the invention include, but are not
limited to, fluorescent and phosphorescent materials, including
organic, inorganic and rare-earth phosphors, internally reflecting
(i.e., TIR) beads, quantum dots, dyes and pigments. The source of
illumination may be violet or ultraviolet light, or other
wavelengths chosen to cause a suitable or desired excited radiation
or reflection. A fluorescent lamp, light-emitting diode, hot
filament or other source may be used, along with filters, beam
splitters, or other optical components, as appropriate,
[0015] Although use of the invention preferably permits
visualization with the unaided eye, the use of instruments such as
magnifiers, ophthalmoscopes and counterparts thereof, are not
precluded. For example, such a device may consist of an
illumination source, a beam splitting mirror, and a magnifying lens
arranged such that the light from the source is separated from the
light returned from the beads or dots to the eye. The device may be
constructed such that one eye inspects the other or, through
appropriate optics, the same eye. For example, the combination of
visible light lamp and a magnifying viewer may be used to permit
the eye to view itself, be viewed by the other eye, or viewed by a
second person. If different illumination and response/reflective
wavelengths are used, appropriate filtering may be employed to
block or separate the reflected or re-radiated wavelength(s) from
the illumination wavelength(s).
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams which illustrate
optical aids and accompanying methods according to the invention
for viewing punctum plugs according to the invention regardless of
whether the plug retransmits light of a different wavelength or
passively reflects light of the same wavelength. In the drawings,
the following legend is used:
[0017] For FIG. 1:
[0018] M1=mirror-filter, reflect .fwdarw., pass .about.>
[0019] .fwdarw.=illumination, primary
[0020] .about.>=fluorescence light
[0021] P=punctum plug, possessing excitable agent, or
non-excitable
[0022] L=magnifying lens
[0023] E1=recipient's eye under inspection
[0024] E2=recipient's other eye
[0025] E3=caregiver's eye
[0026] M2=redirection mirror
[0027] M3=rotating redirection mirror
[0028] LS=light stop
[0029] S=plug illumination source
[0030] For FIG. 2:
[0031] S2=plug illuminating source, broad flood, preferably close
to eye
[0032] S3=plug illumination source spot
[0033] L3=spot forming lens
[0034] L2=eye imaging lens, preferably plano-convex
[0035] M4=mirror, close to L2, or deposit on rear of L2
[0036] In FIG. 1, light from source S is reflected off element M1
illuminating plug P. Light radiated by the plug P passes through
element M1 and is magnified by lens L. If a caregiver is the only
individual responsible for viewing the plug, light magnified by L
may be viewed directly, without the need for M2 or M3. However, in
building an instrument which will allow either the same individual
to view the plug with eye E2 or a caregiver to view the eye E3,
mirrors M2 and M3 may be provided, with M3 having first and second
positions to switch between E2 and E3. Note that element M1 may be
any device operative to at least partially reflect illumination
from the source and at least partially pass light reflected or
emitted by the plug, and may therefore be a semi-silvered mirror,
filter, simple beamsplitter, or any combination thereof.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a drawing which illustrates a configuration
enabling the same eye to view a plug inserted into that eye. In
this case, light from a source S2, preferably a circular source,
illuminates the plug P with a light stop LS preferably being used
to block direct light from S2 from reaching an observer.
Alternatively, a light from source S3 may be used, preferably along
with spot forming lens L3. In any case, the light radiated or
reflected by the plug is redirected to the same eye, E1, using
reflector M4, preferably with an imaging lens L2 to magnify the
image.
* * * * *