A bioabsorbable lacrimal plug

Abstract

This invention provides a bioabsorbable lacrimal plug, comprising: smooth heads at both ends 2; internal threads 1 at both ends for easy insertion into the designated location within the lacrimal duct by a physician; and an internal corrugated tear fluid storage structure 3 to prevent rapid tear drainage, thus treating dry eye syndrome. The plug also has a central hole to prevent tear blockage. This design makes removal easy after insertion, without damaging the lacrimal duct. It can be easily removed by rotating the threaded part, and the smooth surface of the lacrimal duct prevents friction and discomfort.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a bioabsorbable lacrimal plug. Background Technology

[0002] Lacrimal duct occlusion is one of the most common treatments for dry eye. The procedure involves partially blocking the tear ducts to increase the lubrication of the eye surface by promoting natural tear production. This treatment can provide long-term and effective relief from dry eye symptoms. For many people, lacrimal duct occlusion can effectively reduce or even eliminate the need for artificial tears.

[0003] Dry eye is a common and frequently occurring ophthalmic disease. It refers to a variety of diseases characterized by decreased tear film stability due to abnormalities in the quality, quantity, or dynamics of tears caused by any reason, accompanied by eye discomfort and leading to lesions of the ocular surface tissue. With the influence of various factors such as environmental conditions and work pressure, the incidence of dry eye is on the rise. Currently, there are no effective treatments or drugs for dry eye. Replacement therapy is the main method, namely artificial tear replacement therapy and steroid eye drops. However, replacement therapy requires long-term or even lifelong medication, and artificial tears and their additives can worsen dry eye. The use of steroids carries the risk of inducing many serious complications, including glaucoma, cataracts, and an increased incidence of inflammation. Therefore, their toxic side effects are very significant.

[0004] By blocking the lacrimal ducts, the patient's own tears can be preserved, thereby reducing the amount of artificial tears needed and avoiding the aforementioned toxic side effects. Normal tears drain primarily through the lacrimal ducts into the nasal cavity, with a small portion disappearing through evaporation. In clinical practice, while most dry eye patients experience reduced tear production, the amount lost cannot be completely eliminated through evaporation. Complete blockage of the lacrimal ducts would cause excessive tearing. Therefore, current treatments such as lacrimal canaliculus plugs to close the lacrimal ducts are mainly used for patients with severe dry eye. However, existing lacrimal plugs have the following structural defects:

[0005] Currently, all lacrimal plugs, whether permanent or gradually degradable, completely block the lacrimal duct immediately after implantation. They cannot be partially blocked according to the degree of clinical tear deficiency. The disadvantages of complete blockage are: (1) tearing: Lacrimal plugs are currently mainly used for patients with severe tear deficiency. For other patients, they may cause post-implantation tearing. (2) infection: Tears are secreted by the lacrimal gland and accessory lacrimal gland. They contain lysozyme, globulin and other antibacterial components, which together constitute the first line of defense on the ocular surface. Since the existing lacrimal plugs completely block the lacrimal duct, the lacrimal canaliculi between the plug and the lacrimal canaliculi, as well as the lacrimal canaliculi, lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct below it, are deprived of the flushing effect of tears. These antibacterial components in the tears cannot flow into the lacrimal duct below the plug, which reduces the ability of these parts to resist infection and causes inflammation of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. More seriously, after the lacrimal canaliculi are completely blocked, the metabolic tears are retained in the lacrimal canaliculi for a long time, and the microorganisms in them multiply in large numbers, leading to lacrimal canaliculitis.

[0006] Current lacrimal duct plugs mainly rely on their shape to adhere tightly to the lacrimal canaliculus wall. Since existing plug structures only have the plug itself and no fixing part, and the diameter is uniform throughout, the plug diameter cannot be made too large in order to avoid affecting the implantation of the plug and the damage to the lacrimal canaliculus caused by excessive expansion after implantation. However, the contraction of the lacrimal canaliculus sphincter often causes the plug to gradually shift downwards and eventually fall out into the lacrimal sac. Therefore, lacrimal duct plug loss is very common, with a loss rate as high as 50.3%, and the loss rate is even higher when the plug is placed a second time.

[0007] Currently, some patients experience epiphora (excessive tearing) after the implantation of lacrimal plugs. Patients with both epiphora and lacrimal canaliculitis require plug removal. However, current plug removal methods are very difficult, often requiring lacrimal canaliculotomy or lacrimal duct irrigation to flush the plug into the lacrimal sac. This, in turn, can cause acute dacryocystitis and permanent lacrimal duct obstruction, resulting in significant trauma and suffering for the patient.

[0008] Currently, most emboli are made of polymer materials. After implantation, it is often difficult to determine the location of the emboli in the lacrimal duct. The presence and location of the emboli can only be inferred indirectly through methods such as the patient's subjective symptoms and the lacrimal duct irrigation process. Furthermore, small molecules released from the degradation of polymer materials can also cause tissue inflammation.

[0009] Currently, with existing technology, thrombi can be implanted into the lacrimal duct. After implantation, some need to be removed. However, due to their small size, the thrombi are not easy to remove. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In view of the above problems, the present invention is proposed to provide a bioabsorbable lacrimal plug that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a bioabsorbable lacrimal plug is provided, the lacrimal plug comprising: a plug body, the plug body being cylindrical in shape with thin ends and a thick middle;

[0012] The two ends 2 of the plug body are provided with smooth heads;

[0013] Both ends are provided with internal threads 1 to facilitate the doctor's insertion into the designated position in the lacrimal duct;

[0014] It has a corrugated tear storage structure 3 inside, which is used to prevent tears from flowing away too quickly, so as to treat dry eye syndrome. At the same time, there is a hole in the middle of the tear plug to prevent tear blockage.

[0015] Optionally, the spacing between the crests and troughs of the corrugated tear storage structure 3 is between 0.06 and 0.15 mm.

[0016] Optionally, the tear plug has a length of 2-4 mm and a diameter of 0.2-1 mm.

[0017] Optionally, the surface 4 of the tear plug has an uneven structure to increase the friction of the tear plug. After the tear plug is inserted, it is used to prevent it from sliding in the tear duct, thereby achieving the purpose of tear plugging.

[0018] This invention provides a bioabsorbable lacrimal duct plug, comprising: smooth tips at both ends 2; internal threads 1 at both ends for easy insertion into the designated location within the lacrimal duct by a physician; and an internal corrugated tear fluid storage structure 3 to prevent rapid tear drainage, thus treating dry eye syndrome. The plug also has a central hole to prevent tear blockage. This design makes removal easy after insertion, without damaging the lacrimal duct. It can be easily removed by rotating the threaded end, and the smooth surface of the lacrimal duct prevents friction and discomfort. This invention addresses the problems of existing products requiring only one end for insertion, the need for easy removal after insertion, excessive or absent tear fluid drainage, and slippage after insertion.

[0019] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and in order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention are described below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a bioabsorbable lacrimal plug provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0023] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, embodiments, claims, and drawings of this invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such as including a series of steps or units.

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, a bio-absorbable lacrimal plug has smooth tips at both ends, which will not damage the lacrimal duct. Doctors do not need to distinguish between the two ends when using it; they can pick it up and use it directly. This solves the problem of existing products that can only be inserted at one end and that the product cannot be removed after insertion.

[0026] The lacrimal plug has internal threads 1 at both ends, which makes it easy for doctors to insert it into the designated position in the lacrimal duct and also easy for doctors to remove it.

[0027] The internal structure features a corrugated tear reservoir with a peak-to-trough spacing of 0.06-0.15mm. This prevents tears from flowing away too quickly, thus treating dry eye syndrome. The central hole in the tear plug also prevents tear blockage. This design addresses the problems of existing products where tears flow too quickly or not at all, and also resolves the issue of existing products sliding after insertion.

[0028] a. When the eyes are immersed in tears for a long time, it can cause edema of the soft tissues inside the eyes, resulting in swelling and discomfort.

[0029] b. If the eyeball is soaked in tears for a long time, there is a risk of increased aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Therefore, many people who cry for a long time are prone to developing glaucoma.

[0030] The tear plug is 2-4mm long and 0.2-1mm in diameter. The surface has a textured surface to increase friction and prevent it from sliding in the tear duct after insertion, thus achieving a good tear plugging effect.

[0031] Beneficial effects: It makes it easy to remove the plug after implantation without damaging the lacrimal duct. It can be easily removed by rotating it with the thread. The lacrimal duct surface is smooth and will not rub against the lacrimal duct, causing discomfort.

[0032] The above specific embodiments further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the present invention. It should be understood that the above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bioabsorbable lacrimal plug, characterized in that, The tear duct plug comprises: a plug body in a shape of a column with thin ends and a thick middle part; smooth heads are arranged at both ends of the plug body; internal threads are arranged at both ends for facilitating doctors to place the plug into a designated position in the tear duct; a corrugated tear liquid storage structure is arranged inside the plug for preventing tears from flowing away quickly and achieving the purpose of treating dry eye, and a hole is arranged in the middle of the plug for preventing tears from being blocked.

2. The bioabsorbable punctal plug of claim 1, wherein The distance between the wave crests and wave troughs of the corrugated tear liquid storage structure is between 0.06 mm and 0.15 mm.

3. The bioabsorbable punctal plug of claim 1, wherein The length of the plug is between 2 mm and 4 mm, and the diameter is between 0.2 mm and 1 mm.

4. The bioabsorbable punctal plug of claim 1, wherein The surface of the plug is in a concave-convex structure for increasing the friction of the plug, and the plug is prevented from sliding in the tear duct after being placed, thereby achieving the purpose of the plug.

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