Nasolacrimal duct probing, intubating and irrigating device

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segment that is inflated in order to retain the sleeve in the nasolacrimal system once the tubular probe has been withdrawn.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.

1 . A device for the treatment of a patient's canaliculus and nasolacrimal duct stenosis which comprises:
 a tube shaped and dimensioned to penetrate said canaliculus and duct;   
     said tube being made of a substantially hard material, and having a proximal end, a blunted distal end, an axial lumen, a total length between approximately 4 and 50 centimeters and an outer diameter between 0.125 and 4.00 millimeters;
 a connector at said proximal end; 
 said lumen having at least one orifice at said distal end. 
 
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said orifice comprises at least one radial outlet about 0.5 to 30 millimeters from said distal end, and said outlet has a diameter between about 0.025 and 2.5 millimeters. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said material substantially is taken from a group consisting essentially of stainless steel, bronze, silver, aluminum, titanium, brass, and alloy thereof, Kevlar, Nitinol, polymide, Dacron, nylon, EPTFE and PVC; and said tube further comprises a slanted radial flange proximate to said connector. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1  which further comprises a flexible catheter having a distal end shaped and dimensioned to interlock with said connector, and a proximal end shaped and dimensioned to interlock with a syringe. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said connector is shaped and dimensioned to interlock with a syringe. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  which further comprises a stiffening rod diametrically sized to engage said lumen, and having a length at least equal said total length. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said rod has an enlarged manipulable end section. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  which further comprises
 a flexible sleeve having a proximal end, a distal end, an axial interior channel closed at said distal end and being dimensioned to allow said channel to be engaged by said tube, and a length shorter than said total length of said tube.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said flexible sleeve has a radial hole proximate said distal end. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said tube comprises a radial flange proximate to said connector, and wherein said sleeve comprises a first radial flange around said proximal end; said first radial flange being oriented at the same axial angle as the radial flange of said tube. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said sleeve comprises a second radial flange distally proximate to said first radial flange. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said sleeve further comprises a first sealing implement across said channel, proximate said proximal end. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said sleeve further comprises an inflatable segment between said radial hole and said distal end. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said sleeve further comprises a second sealing implement across said channel at a short proximal distance from said segment. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said inflatable segment comprises said sleeve having a reduced wall thickness along said segment. 
   
   
       16 . A method for probing the integrity of a patient's canaliculus and nasolacrimal duct which comprises the steps of:
 inserting the device of  claim 1  through the patient's punctum and canaliculus down the lacrimal sac;   tilting the device about 90 degrees into alignment with the nasolacrimal duct;   pushing the device through the nasolacrimal duct down to the nasal cavity;   injecting a tracing fluid through said connector; and   recovering part of said fluid from the nasal cavity;   whereby recovery of a trace of said fluid confirms that the device has penetrated all obstructions and entered the nasal cavity.   
   
   
       17 . A method for intubating a patient's nasolacrimal duct which comprises the steps of:
 inserting the metallic tube and the sleeve of  claim 8  through a patient's punctum, canaliculus into the lacrimal sac;   tilting the sleeve and tube about 90 degrees into alignment with the patient's nasolacrimal duct;   pushing the tube and sleeve through the nasolacrimal duct down to the nasal cavity;   injecting a tracing fluid into the tube;   verifying that the tube and sleeve have reached the nasal cavity by recovering traces of said fluid in said cavity; and   withdrawing said tube from said sleeve.   
   
   
       18 . A method for intubating a patient's nasolacrimal duct which comprises the steps of:
 inserting the tube and the sleeve of  claim 14  through a patient's punctum, canaliculus into the lacrimal sac;   tilting the sleeve and tube about 90 degrees into alignment with the nasolacrimal duct;   pushing the tube and sleeve through the nasolacrimal duct down to the nasal cavity;   injecting a volume of fluid through said connector sufficient to inflate said inflatable segment;   partially withdrawing said tube from said sleeve by a distance sufficient to bring said outlet between said proximal end of the sleeve and said sealing implement at a short proximal distance from the inflatable segment;   injecting a tracing fluid into the tube;   verifying that the tube and sleeve have reached the nasal cavity by recovering traces of said fluid in said cavity; and   withdrawing said tube from said sleeve.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  which further comprises inserting a stiffening rod diametrically sized to engage said lumen and having a length greater than said total length into said tube, prior to insertion of said tube into said sleeve. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  which further comprises inserting a stiffening rod diametrically sized to engage said lumen and having a length substantially greater than said total length into said tube prior to insertion of said tube into said sleeve. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  which further comprises connecting said tube to a suction device during said step of pushing. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17  which further comprises connecting said tube to a suction device during said step of pushing. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of recovering comprises connecting a suction device to said tube. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of recovering comprises connecting a suction device to the proximal end of said tube. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of pushing further comprises pushing said second flange inside said punctum and resting said first flange against the external rim of said punctum.