Patent ID: 8591484

Claim:
A handheld device for the treatment of dry eyes, the device comprising: an elongate shaft with a longitudinal axis; a means for measuring a lacrimal punctum disposed at a first shaft end, the means for measuring the lacrimal punctum in configured to receive one or more disposable tip covers; and an inserter tip, the inserter tip comprising an elongate pliable rod for inserting a punctal plug disposed at a second shaft end, the second shaft end longitudinally opposing the first shaft end, the elongate pliable rod having a longitudinal axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft, the elongate pliable rod comprising: a first rod end extending outwardly beyond the first shaft end, the first rod end capable of holding a punctal plug by press fitting the inserter tip within a recess of the punctal plug; and a second rod end longitudinally opposing the first rod end, the second rod end embedded within a trough in the elongate shaft, the trough having a backstop, wherein the second rod end is held in place at the backstop in the trough, wherein the device is devoid of a dilator.