Contact lens manipulator with suction cup and safety release mechanism
AssigneeCraig L. Hershoff
InventorsCraig L. Hershoff, Andres Bernal
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lens manipulator that includes an over-sleeve with a suction cup and lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening at the opposite end for receiving an adjustment rod. Adjustment of the length of the adjustment rod in the lumen controls the amount of suction force generated under the suction cup against a contact lens. Removal of the adjustment rod from the lumen eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens.
Claims24
A lens manipulator, adapted for handling a contact lens, comprising an over-sleeve with a suction cup comprising one or more discontinuities on a peripheral edge and a lumen therethrough, where the lumen is contiguous with the suction cup, the suction cup having a suction force that is adjustable by positioning an adjustment rod in the lumen to change a volume between the suction cup and the adjustment rod.
A lens manipulator comprising:
- an over-sleeve having a suction cup at a proximal end, adapted to engage with a contact lens, and a stem at a distal end, with a lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening in the stem;
- an adjustment rod having a proximal end moveably inserted through the rod opening and into the lumen, such that the distance that the adjustment rod is inserted into the lumen controls the suction force under the suction cup;
- and
- a cuff that at least partially surrounds the stem of the over-sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.