Abstract: An implant placed into the lacrimal gland of a patient for delivery of a drug to the eye for treating conditions such as glaucoma, or merely the gland itself for treating dry eye syndrome. The implant can be placed in such a way that the drug-carrying surfaces of the implant are exposed to the glandular tissues allowing diffusion of the drug into those tissues. For glaucoma, tears generated by those tissues can contain an amount of the drug for delivery to the surface of the eye. The implant can be made from biodegradable/bioabsorbable or non-biodegradable/non-bioabsorbable materials. A tool and method of use facilitates proper emplacement of the implant in part of the lacrimal gland. The tool can include a hallow needle having an axial bore through which the implant passes. During emplacement, a ramrod connected to a physician-manipulable plunger on a syringe-like device pushes the implant from the tip of the needle.

Abstract: A sheathed tubular semi-rigid balloon catheter for performing probing, irrigation, dilation, suction and potential intubation of the nasolacrimal system or paranasal sinus system to treat for stenosis or obstruction. The catheter includes a sheathed tubular probe portion through which a tracer fluid can be injected and through which suctioning of blood or other material can be conducted. The sheath portion of the device can have a distal segment that is inflated in order to dilate parts the nasolacrimal or paranasal sinus system. The high axial load accommodating catheter tool includes a more secure and inexpensively manufactured bond between the metallic semi-rigid tube of the probe portion and the plastic hand-manipulable, multi-connector hub using an enlarged bonding collar.

Abstract: A sheathed tubular semi-rigid balloon catheter for performing probing, irrigation, dilation, suction and potential intubation of the nasolacrimal system or paranasal sinus system to treat for stenosis or obstruction. The catheter includes a sheathed tubular probe portion through which a tracer fluid can be injected and through which suctioning of blood or other material can be conducted. The sheath portion of the device can have a distal segment that is inflated in order to dilate parts the nasolacrimal or paranasal sinus system. The high axial load accommodating catheter tool includes a more secure and inexpensively manufactured bond between the metallic semi-rigid tube of the probe portion and the plastic hand-manipulable, multi-connector hub using an enlarged bonding collar.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting a spile or plug into the punctal opening of a meatus such as a lacrimo-nasal canaliculus. The tool includes a distal end having a plug-carrying structure which includes distally extending rod for engaging an axial bore in the plug, and an abutment having a radial prominence supporting a penetration-resisting bearing surface which prevents over-insertion of the plug by contacting tissue surrounding the punctal opening. The abutment can be shaped and dimensioned to provide effective and comfortable penetration resistance while affording ample visibility to the surgeon user. The rod can be axially withdrawn through a rod tracking tube having a precisely dimensioned central lumen restricting off-axis movement of the rod. The abutment can be fixed to the rod or detached from it.

Abstract: A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting a spile or plug into the punctal opening of a meatus such as a lacrimo-nasal canaliculus. The tool includes a distal end having a plug-carrying structure which includes distally extending rod for engaging an axial bore in the plug, and an abutment having a radial prominence supporting a penetration-resisting bearing surface which prevents over-insertion of the plug by contacting tissue surrounding the punctal opening. The abutment can be shaped and dimensioned to provide effective and comfortable penetration resistance while affording ample visibility to the surgeon user. The rod can be axially withdrawn through a rod tracking tube having a precisely dimensioned central lumen restricting off-axis movement of the rod. The abutment can be fixed to the rod or detached from it.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting a spile or plug into the punctal opening of a meatus such as a lacrimo-nasal canaliculus comprises an oblong, hollowed member shaped and dimensioned to be conveniently manipulated with one hand and having at one end a punctal opening and meatus-dilating shaft and, at the opposite end, a plug inserter. The dilating shaft has a cross-diameter substantially equal to the cross-diameter of the plug and is terminated by a conical spike. The inserter comprises a tip extending axially from the member and having, at its distal end, a cup whose internal geometry is commensurate with a cap at the proximal end of the plug. A penetration-resisting bearing surface is provided by the cup rim. A notch through the cup wall improves visualization of the plug during insertion. A steel wire running through the inserter has its distal end inserted into the cap of the plug.

Abstract: A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A sheathed tubular semi-rigid balloon catheter for performing probing, irrigation, dilation, suction and potential intubation of the nasolacrimal system or paranasal sinus system to treat for stenosis or obstruction. The catheter includes a sheathed tubular probe portion through which a tracer fluid can be injected and through which suctioning of blood or other material can be conducted. The sheath portion of the device can have a distal segment that is inflated in order to dilate parts the nasolacrimal or paranasal sinus system. The high axial load accommodating catheter tool includes a more secure and inexpensively manufactured bond between the metallic semi-rigid tube of the probe portion and the plastic hand-manipulable, multi-connector hub using an enlarged bonding collar.

Abstract: A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A sheathed tubular semi-rigid balloon catheter for performing probing, irrigation, dilation, suction and potential intubation of the nasolacrimal system or paranasal sinus system to treat for stenosis or obstruction. The catheter includes a sheathed tubular probe portion through which a tracer fluid can be injected and through which suctioning of blood or other material can be conducted. The sheath portion of the device can have a distal segment that is inflated in order to dilate parts the nasolacrimal or paranasal sinus system. The high axial load accommodating catheter tool includes a more secure and inexpensively manufactured bond between the metallic semi-rigid tube of the probe portion and the plastic hand-manipulable, multi-connector hub using an enlarged bonding collar.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting a spile or plug into the punctal opening of a meatus such as a lacrimo-nasal canaliculus. The tool includes a distal end having a plug-carrying structure which includes distally extending rod for engaging an axial bore in the plug, and an abutment having a radial prominence supporting a penetration-resisting bearing surface which prevents over-insertion of the plug by contacting tissue surrounding the punctal opening. The abutment can be shaped and dimensioned to provide effective and comfortable penetration resistance while affording ample visibility to the surgeon user. The rod can be axially withdrawn through a rod tracking tube having a precisely dimensioned central lumen restricting off-axis movement of the rod. The abutment can be fixed to the rod or detached from it.

Abstract: A device and method for performing probing and intubation of the nasolacrimal system includes a tubular probe through which a tracer fluid is injected and collected in the nasal cavity to verify that the tip of the probe has passed through an obstruction and reached the nasal cavity. A sleeve fitted over the probe has distal segment that is inflated in order to retain the sleeve in the nasolacrimal system once the tubular probe has been withdrawn. Removal of blood and other obstructions encountered during the probing or intubation process is accomplished by connecting the proximal end of the probe to a suction device.

Abstract: A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90° to a proximal segment and a balloon catheter which is substantially straight. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus to be excised. The catheters have appropriate inflated working diameters and appropriate outer diameters with the balloon deflated that will enable the catheter to be pushed into the respective prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus cavity to be excised. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90° to a proximal segment and a balloon catheter which is substantially straight. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus to be excised. The catheters have appropriate inflated working diameters and appropriate outer diameters with the balloon deflated that will enable the catheter to be pushed into the respective prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus cavity to be excised. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90° to a proximal segment and a balloon catheter which is substantially straight. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus to be excised. The catheters have appropriate inflated working diameters and appropriate outer diameters with the balloon deflated that will enable the catheter to be pushed into the respective prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus cavity to be excised. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A surgical tool for inserting a spile or plug into the punctal opening of a meatus such as a lacrimo-nasal canaliculus comprises an oblong, hollowed member shaped and dimensioned to be conveniently manipulated with one hand and having at one of its end a punctal opening and meatus-dilating shaft and, at the opposite end, a plug inserter. The dilating shaft has a cross-diameter substantially equal to the cross-diameter of the plug and is terminated by a conical spike. The inserter comprises a tip extending axially from the member and having, at its distal end, a cup whose internal geometry is commensurate with a cap at the proximal end of the plug. A penetration-resisting bearing surface is provided by the cup rim. The plug can be allowed to retract within the cup under the force of insertion. A steel wire running through the inserter has its distal end inserted into the cap of the plug.

Abstract: A sheathed tubular semi-rigid balloon catheter for performing probing, irrigation, dilation, suction and potential intubation of the nasolacrimal system or paranasal sinus system to treat for stenosis or obstruction. The catheter includes a sheathed tubular probe portion through which a tracer fluid can be injected and through which suctioning of blood or other material can be conducted. The sheath portion of the device can have a distal segment that is inflated in order to dilate parts the nasolacrimal or paranasal sinus system. The high axial load accommodating catheter tool includes a more secure and inexpensively manufactured bond between the metallic semi-rigid tube of the probe portion and the plastic hand-manipulable, multi-connector hub using an enlarged bonding collar.

Abstract: A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter (301) is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits (320,321,322) to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon (307). The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.