DR. BRUCE B BECKER, M.D.
Medical Practice at Balboa Blvd, Van Nuys, CA

7846124, Dec 7, 2010

May 7, 2008

12/116875

Bruce B. Becker - Encino CA, US

A61M 5/00

604 8

A device and method for performing stenting and intubation of the nasolacrimal system to treat for stenosis or obstruction includes a semi-rigid tubular guide sleeve through which a flexible tubular stent, having an oversized length, is inserted from a punctal opening into the nasal cavity. The guide sleeve is removed and a resilient, radially expandable punctal anchor is placed through the punctal opening, to contact the stent and hold it in place. An introducer device having a hollow tubular core and a coaxially mounted, axially translatable outer sheath is provided to facilitate placement of the anchor. The anchor is stretched over the distal end of the core and the stent threaded into the central lumen of the core. Once the anchor is in place, the sheath is translated to push the anchor off the distal end. Excess stent at its proximal end is then trimmed off.

6238364, May 29, 2001

Feb 9, 2000

9/500424

Bruce B. Becker - Encino CA

A61M 500

604 8

A lacrimal silicone stent has a very large diameter segment with a diameter greater than the largest diameter stent which can be pulled through the canaliculi readily without damaging the canaliculi, a thin central segment, a moderate diameter segment, and a distal segment with a lumen extending partway from its end. A lumen can also be provided in the very large diameter segment to enhance its flexibility. In addition, a lumina may be provided in the moderate diameter segment when it is formed as an extruded tube. Except for the lumina, the stent is solid. The stent may be molded in one piece, but it may also be made of molded and extruded segments which are fused together. To install the stent, according to a first method a sheath is inserted through the lacrimal system from the eye, through a DCR ostium into the nasal cavity. The distal segment is threaded into the sheath which is used to pull the distal segment back through the lacrimal system and out the superior canaliculus and punctum. A probe is inserted through a sidewall of the distal segment into the lumen.

6083188, Jul 4, 2000

Feb 4, 1998

9/018439

Bruce B. Becker - Encino CA

A61M 500

604 8

A lacrimal silicone stent has a very large diameter segment with a diameter greater than the largest diameter stent which can be pulled through the canaliculi readily without damaging the canaliculi, a thin central segment, a moderate diameter segment, and a distal segment with a lumen extending partway from its end. A lumen can also be provided in the very large diameter segment to enhance its flexibility. In addition, a lumina may be provided in the moderate diameter segment when it is formed as an extruded tube. Except for the lumina, the stent is solid. The stent may be molded in one piece, but it may also be made of molded and extruded segments which are fused together. To install the stent, according to a first method a sheath is inserted through the lacrimal system from the eye, through a DCR ostium into the nasal cavity. The distal segment is threaded into the sheath which is used to pull the distal segment back through the lacrimal system and out the superior canaliculus and punctum. A probe is inserted through a sidewall of the distal segment into the lumen.

2008030, Dec 11, 2008

Jun 5, 2006

11/916780

Bruce B. Becker - Encino CA, US

A61M 1/00

604 8

A lacrimal bypass drainage device () uses a cannula or tube () having a flange on the ocular end and a threaded outer surface to provide for greater axial friction. The flange is keyed to allow engagement by a screwdriver type tool () having a correspondingly keyed trocar mounted to a manipulable handle. The trocar has a forward shaft portion for coaxially engaging the cylindrical lumen of the tube. The shaft portion has a front end formed into a blade and an opposite rear end formed into a radially widened haft. The haft carries two axially forward projecting prongs to engage correspondingly placed notches in the flange of the tube. The handle portion of the tool extends rearwardly from the haft. The blade can be formed into two frustoconical symmetric arcuate sections to enhance cutting during twisting manipulation of the tool. The trocar portion can be made to be replaceable for differently sized, shaped or bladed trocar portions. A removable biocompatible washer () is provided to discourage tissue overgrowth immediately after emplacement. One or more radial drainage holes can be formed near the distal end of the tube to overcome axial blockages. An alternate embodiment provides for a tube placed from the nasal side having nasal side radial protrusions and a removable eye side flange in the form of a keyed nut.

2009020, Aug 13, 2009

May 25, 2007

12/302269

Bruce B. Becker - Encino CA, US

A61M 29/00

606192

A device and method for performing probing, irrigation, suction and intubation of the nasolacrimal system to treat for stenosis or obstruction 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. An alternate embodiment provides a tool combining two elongated conduits, one of which is terminated at a distal end by an inflatable balloon. The other conduit is used for either “irrigating or suctioning. The tool is particularly useful to perform dacryocystoplasty (DCP) and dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

2012004, Feb 16, 2012

Oct 28, 2011

13/283695

Bruce Becker - Encino CA, US

A61M 5/50

604117

A syringe and needle assembly includes a needle that extends through the barrel of the syringe and is attached to a proximal portion of the syringe. The distal end of the needle extends through a sleeve attached to the distal end of the syringe. The proximal end of the needle includes a spring which biases the needle proximally, so that the distal tip of the needle is normally retracted within the sleeve. The assembly can be used for injections in portions of a patient's body including delicate tissues that could be damaged if contacted by the needle tip

2013001, Jan 10, 2013

Jul 6, 2012

13/542864

Bruce Becker - Encino CA, US

A61M 5/32

604506, 604198

A device useful for making retrobulbar injections includes an inner syringe contained within an outer syringe. A spring retained within the outer syringe biases the inner syringe proximally, which a catch mechanism on the two syringes prevents the inner syringe from moving out of the outer syringe. A distal needle on the inner syringe is movable within a distal sheath of the outer syringe, and can be extended beyond the distal end of the sheath to permit the device to piece more resilient tissues, and can be withdrawn by action of the spring within the sheath to protect more delicate tissues from the needle.

5169386, Dec 8, 1992

Jun 25, 1990

7/542598

Bruce B. Becker - Encino CA
William A. Berthiaume - Hudson MA

A61M 3100

604 49

A dilation catheter having an inflatable member and an element for retaining a curved shape, and a method of using same to restore patency to an obstructed portion of the lacrimal system. The catheter is inserted into the lacrimal system and the inflatable member is positioned in the obstructed portion. Insertion of the catheter is facilitated by mechanically imparting a curved shape to a distal portion of the catheter. The inflatable member is inflated to dilate the obstructed portion to restore patency to the lacrimal system. Preferably, the catheter includes one or more visually perceivable markers having a known spaced relationship to one of the ends of the inflatable member. Positioning of the inflatable member is assisted by aligning the marker relative to an opening into the lacrimal system.

D635249, Mar 29, 2011

Nov 10, 2009

29/350021

Bruce Becker - Encino CA, US

2402

D24114