Electrophoretic cleaner and sterilizer
AssigneeBaremek Pty. Limited.
InventorsAnthony J. Cowle, Paul J. Cowle, Gregory J. Cowle, Joffre B. Cowle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrophoretic technique and apparatus for decontamination and sterilizing of contact lenses are provided. The lenses are placed in respective perforated containers and inserted in a buffer solution of suitable pH value. An electric field is established in the solutin by a pair of spaced electrodes. Contaminants on the lenses become charged and are attracted to a respective electrode, thereby cleaning and sterilizing the lenses.
Claims15
Apparatus for decontaminating and sterilizing contact lenses by electrophoresis, said apparatus comprising a respective container for each lens adapted to hold a buffer solution to maintain at least partially ionized protein having an isoelectric point, said buffer solution having a pH above the isoelectric point of any protein on or within the lens;
- a pair of spaced electrodes within each said container and connectable to a DC power supply to form an electric unidirectional field in said buffer solution;
- and a lens holder for each lens insertable in a respective container, each said lens holder having a perforated compartment for housing its lens and positioning same in the electrical field in the buffer solution when the lens holder is inserted in its inserted in its respective container.
Apparatus for decontaminating and sterilizing a contact lens, the apparatus comprising:
- a container for holding a buffer solution;
- a pair of electrodes spaced from each other within the container for connection across a DC power supply, whereby to form a unidirectional electric field through the buffer solution between the electrodes;
- and
- a lens holder in the container between the electrodes, the lens holder having a perforated compartment for housing a contact lens in the buffer solution in the unidirectional electric field therethrough between the electrodes, whereby to decontaminate and sterilize the contact lens by electrophoresis.
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the container of each apparatus has a bottom and the lens holder therein comprises at least one opening at the bottom for communication between the buffer solution on either side of the lens holder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.