Lacrimal implant detection

Abstract

This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus comprising a lacrimal implant insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum. The lacrimal implant comprises an implant core, and an implant body. The implant body includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the implant core. At least one of the implant core and the implant cavity includes a detection device configured to allow automatic detection of the lacrimal implant with a separate detector device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a lacrimal implant insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:   an implant core; and   an implant body, wherein the implant body includes a cavity sized and shaped to receive the implant core, and   wherein at least one of the implant core and the implant cavity includes a detection device configured to allow automatic detection of the lacrimal implant with a separate detector device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes a radio frequency identifier (RFID) chip configured to communicate a detection signal to the detector device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes a luminescent material configured to reflect light to the detector device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the luminescent material includes a quantum dot. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes an ultrasonically reflective material configured to reflect ultrasonic energy to the detector device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes a ferromagnetic material that is capable of retaining a ferromagnetic property after application and removal of an external magnetic field, wherein the retained ferromagnetic property is detectable by the detector device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes a magnetic material to retain a magnetic field detectable by the detector device, wherein the magnetic material comprises at least one of magnetite, a metallic powder, a metallic ring, and a carbon powder. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes an electrically conductive material configured to cause a change in a characteristic impedance of a sensing circuit of the detector device due to proximity of the lacrimal implant to the sensing circuit. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes at least one of an optical contrast material and a color material in at least one of the implant core and the implant cavity configured to optically distinguish the lacrimal implant from a region of an eye. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes a material visible when illuminated with an ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the implant core comprises a sustained release ocular agent. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the implant core includes a sheath to house the agent, and wherein the detection device is disposed within the sheath. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a biocompatible material of the implant body includes an agent for sustained release into an eye. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the lacrimal implant includes a polymeric coating on the outer surface of the implant body, and wherein polymeric coating includes the agent. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a lacrimal implant insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:
 an implant body of biocompatible material, wherein the implant body includes a detection device configured to allow detection of the lacrimal implant and to identify at least one attribute of the lacrimal implant. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the detection device includes a radio frequency identifier (RFID) chip configured to communicate attribute information to a separate detector device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the detection device includes a color in the lacrimal implant, and wherein the color identifies the attribute of the lacrimal implant. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the detection device includes a luminescent material, and wherein the luminescent material reflects the color. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the luminescent material includes a quantum dot. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the detection device includes a material visible with an ultraviolet light source, and wherein the detection device identifies the attribute when illuminated with the ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the detection device includes:
 a material elutable by the lacrimal implant; and   a bio-erodable surface, wherein the bio-erodable surface elutes the material to identify the attribute.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the lacrimal implant comprises a sustained release ocular agent, and wherein the attribute of the lacrimal implant includes at least one of a type of the ocular agent, a dose of the ocular agent, and an indication of when release of the ocular agent is complete. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the attribute includes at least one of the lacrimal implant manufacturer, the lacrimal implant manufacturer's lot number, a date the lacrimal implant was implanted, an expiration date of the implant, an indication of a location of where the lacrimal implant was implanted, an indication to identify a physician, and an indication to identify a patient. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus comprising:
 a lacrimal implant insertable at least partially into a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:
 an implant body, wherein the implant body includes a detection device, and wherein the detection device comprises at least one of:
 a ferromagnetic material that is capable of retaining a ferromagnetic property after application and removal of an external magnetic field; 
 an ultrasonically reflective material configured to allow automatic detection of the lacrimal implant with a separate ultrasonic detector device; and 
 a radio frequency identifier (RFID) included in the implant body, wherein the RFID is configured to communicate with a lacrimal implant detector device. 
 
   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the detection device comprises the ferromagnetic material, and wherein the ferromagnetic material includes at least one of magnetite, a metallic powder, a metallic ring, and a carbon powder. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the detection device comprises the ultrasonically reflective material, wherein the ultrasonically reflective material is disposed within a biocompatible material of the implant body, and wherein the ultrasonically reflective material is configured to cause the implant body to change shape upon application of ultrasound energy to the lacrimal implant. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the ultrasonically reflective material includes a piezoelectric material. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein an agent for sustained release into an eye is disposed within the implant body. 
     
     
         29 . A detection system comprising:
 a light emitting source to provide incident light to a lacrimal implant;   an optical filter configured to pass light of a specified wavelength range reflected from a luminescent material of the lacrimal implant;   a light detecting device configured to receive the light passed by the filter and to produce a responsive electrical signal when sufficient light is received to indicate proximity of the lacrimal implant; and   an indicator, communicatively coupled to the light detecting device, to provide a user indication of plug detection upon receiving the electrical signal.   
     
     
         30 . A detection system comprising:
 a lacrimal implant insertable at least in part into a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising an implant body of biocompatible material, wherein the implant body comprises a ferromagnetic material that is capable of retaining a ferromagnetic property after application and removal of an external magnetic field; and   a lacrimal implant detector device comprising:
 a magnetic field detector circuit; and 
 an indicator device, communicatively coupled to the magnetic field detector circuit, configured to provide an indication upon detection of a magnetic field of the lacrimal implant. 
   
     
     
         31 . A detection system comprising:
 a lacrimal implant insertable into a lacrimal punctum, the lacrimal implant comprising:
 an implant body of biocompatible material; and 
 an electrically conductive material within the implant body; and 
   a lacrimal implant detector device including:
 a sensing circuit having a characteristic impedance; 
 a detector circuit configured to detect a change in the characteristic impedance due to proximity of the lacrimal implant to the sensing circuit; and 
 an indicator device, communicatively coupled to the detector circuit, configured to provide an indication upon detection of the change in the characteristic impedance. 
   
     
     
         32 . A detection system, comprising:
 an image sensor; and   an image analyzer circuit, wherein the image analyzer circuit is configured to detect a location of an image portion having an image contrast that exceeds the image contrast in other areas of the image by a threshold image contrast value to provide an indication of whether an image of portion of a lacrimal implant is in the image.