Contact lens manipulator with safety release
AssigneeCraig L. Hershoff
InventorsCraig L. Hershoff, Andres Bernal
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The problem of inserting and removing a rigid gas permeable or hybrid contact lens is solved by the use of a lens manipulator. The lens manipulator includes a handle and an over-sleeve that is optionally attachable to an extraction stem, for creating a suction force to remove a contact lens, and an insertion stem, without suction force for placing a contact lens. Removal of the extraction stem from the over-sleeve eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens. A manual-release mechanism can be used to facilitate removal of the extraction stem.
Claims21
A lens manipulator comprising:
- an over-sleeve with a continuous lumen therethrough that terminates in a pore that opens onto a suction cup at a proximal end and a rod opening at a distal end;
- an extraction stem removably insertable into the lumen through the rod opening to thereby form a friction fit that closes the lumen and allows the suction cup to create a suction force;
- an insertion stem removably insertable into the lumen through the rod opening, having a vent along a longitudinal length of the insertion stem that inhibits formation of a suction force under the suction cup;
- and
- an ergonomic structure on which the extraction stem and insertion stem are operably affixed, such that when the extraction stem is removably inserted into the lumen of the over-sleeve, the lens manipulator is functional to remove a contact lens and when the insertion stem is removably inserted into the lumen of the over-sleeve, the lens manipulator is functional to insert a contact lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.