Novel stent for dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and other surgical applications.

In summary, this project proposes to explore the feasibility of a new temporary implant and surgical technique to improve the DCR procedure. This is a significant improvement over current DCR practice for the following primary reasons: (1) it eliminates the risk of injury to both the eye and upper lacrimal system; (2) it permits tear flow into the nose immediately following surgery, potentially 6 months earlier than current practice and procedure, which frequently does not re-establish normal tear flow until stents are removed. Plans have been made to implant stents of different sizes and proportions into cadavers in order to test implantation and removal of the stent via external and intranasal approaches.