Intracanalicular Punctal Plug Shape to Prevent Irritation and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional punctal plugs are susceptible to inadvertent removal, cause irritation due to contact with the cornea, and can lead to tearing of the punctal muscle during insertion, due to their design and size.
Innovation Solution
The development of plug devices with a tapered conical shape and rounded distal tip, designed to fit completely within the lacrimal drainage system, minimizing external exposure and reducing irritation, and made from biodegradable materials to avoid long-term discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional punctal plugs are designed with an anchor portion that rests on the eyelid outside the punctum, then the plug can be securely positioned, but the plug becomes susceptible to inadvertent removal during eye rubbing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the anchor portion from the external eyelid location and relocates it entirely within the lacrimal drainage system. The plug consists of a body portion and an anchor portion where both components are positioned inside the canaliculus, eliminating the external anchor that causes inadvertent removal during eye rubbing while maintaining secure positioning through internal anchoring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a nested structure where the anchor portion is positioned within the body portion, and both are inserted into the lacrimal drainage system. The tapered portion facilitates insertion while the nested anchor-body configuration ensures the entire plug remains contained within the canaliculus, preventing external contact and inadvertent removal.
2Ease of operation
If the head portion of conventional punctal plugs has a shape that contacts the cornea, then the plug can be positioned, but it causes irritation and inflammation of the ocular tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the head portion from the corneal contact location and relocates it entirely within the lacrimal drainage system. The plug is designed so that no portion extends outside the punctal opening, and the tapered portion guides insertion without corneal contact, eliminating the source of irritation and inflammation while maintaining positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a design where the plug head contacts the cornea in a different spatial dimension to a design where the entire plug is contained within the lacrimal drainage system. The tapered portion provides a gradual transition that guides insertion without requiring corneal contact, changing the spatial arrangement to eliminate tissue irritation.
3Reliability
If the anchor portion of conventional punctal plugs is larger than the punctal opening, then the plug can be securely anchored, but excessive dilation of the punctum during insertion causes tearing of the punctal muscle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the plug into distinct functional portions: a tapered portion for insertion, a body portion for occlusion, and an anchor portion for securing. The tapered portion has a smaller diameter that allows it to pass through the punctal opening without requiring excessive dilation, while the anchor portion is positioned within the canaliculus to provide secure anchoring without damaging the punctal muscle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the dimensional approach by making the insertable portion (tapered portion) smaller than the punctal opening, allowing insertion without excessive dilation. The anchor portion is then positioned within the lacrimal drainage system in a different spatial dimension, providing secure anchoring without requiring the punctum to be dilated beyond its natural size, thus preventing muscle tearing.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a plug for occluding the lacrimal drainage system. The plug can have a body portion having a first end and a second end, a tapered portion extending away from the second end of the body portion, the tapered portion having a conical shape, and a rounded distal tip. The body portion can have a continuous cylindrical shape between the first end and the second end thereof, and can be shaped such that the first end is planar and is orthogonal to a plug's longitudinal axis. Additionally, in some embodiments, the plug can be configured to occlude a vertical canaliculi of the lacrimal drainage system. For example and without limitation, some embodiments of the plug can be configured to be inserted completely within the vertical canaliculi of the lacrimal drainage system so that no portion extends outside of punctal opening.