Patent 8025689 was granted and assigned to Tearscience, Inc. on September, 2011 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
A method and apparatus for treating gland dysfunction caused by gland obstruction in order to restore the natural flow of secretion from the gland comprises the application of a combination of energy, suction, vibration, heat, aspiration, chemical agents and pharmacological agents to loosen and thereafter remove the obstructive material.