Patent ID: 8201562

Claim:
A multi-part punctal plug arrangement for placement in a lacrimal duct of a patient, comprising: an anchor having an inner plug engaging recess and an outer surface for engaging a wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor; a plug having a stem for extending into the plug engaging recess of the anchor, and a head connected to the stem, the head having a larger diameter then the stem for engaging around a lacrimal punctum at an end of a lacrimal duct in which the anchor is received, the head including a tool engaging recess; anchor fixing means at the outer surface of the anchor for fixing the anchor to the wall of a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor; plug fixing means for detachably and axially securely connecting the plug to the anchor so that with the plug connected to the anchor the plug and the anchor can be inserted as a unit into, and removed as a unit from a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor; and a tool having an end for engaging the tool engaging recess of the plug, the end of the tool and the tool engaging recess being shaped for axial securement of the tool to the plug so that the tool can be used to facilitate insertion and removal of the plug and connected anchor into and out from a lacrimal duct for receiving the anchor; and wherein the anchor fixing means comprises a plurality of projections on the outer surface of the anchor for engaging the wall of a lacrimal duct, the projections being radially movable and the tool including means for radially retracting the projections for facilitating removal of the anchor from the lacrimal duct.