Importance

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Abstract

Lacrimal tissue inflammation and scarring is minimized when an ostium formed by balloon dacryocystorhinostomy is stented by a silicone member having a stent portion which may be treated to reduce friction between the stent portion and tissue supporting the lacrimal mucosal surface when the silicone member moves due to blinking. The stent portion may be treated by plasma deposition of a vaporized silicone based monomer upon the outer surface of the silicone member which is covalently bonded to the silicone member thereby forming a silicone polymer coating which is very smooth and pit-free. The member has a thin central segment of relatively small outer diameter, a pair of fat segments of relatively large outer diameter at opposite ends thereof, and thin end segments connected to the fat segments. The stent portion is formed from the central segment and the proximate end portions of the fat segments. The member is inserted in the lacrimal system, by threading each end segment from the eye through a respective punctum, a canaliculus, the lacrimal sac and the ostium into the nasal cavity. The member is pulled down the nasal cavity by grasping the thin end segments while pulling the fat segments in the opposite direction less forcefully to stretch and thereby reduce the thickness of the fat segments so that they more easily move through the lacrimal system. After the stent portion is brought into place, the untreated portions of the member are severed.

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First Claim