US 5,129,999 A · Lens disinfector and method

Abstract

An apparatus for disinfecting lenses includes a single hand-held case with a lens compartment and a power supply compartment. A battery powered unit disposed within the power supply compartment responds to activation of a switch on the case to generate an electric current which is coupled to a pair of electrodes within the lens compartment to electrolyte a solution in the lens compartment and thereby disinfect lenses submerged in the solution. Disinfecting proceeds using a buffered solution to retain solution pH within predefined limits while enabling electrolysis with a large current of shorter duration to decreased disinfecting time. A lip circumscribing an upper opening of the lens compartment is covered with a single hinged cover member that lifts directly away from the lip, and a slidable retainer member is used to retain the cover member in a closed position. Ribs on the cover member retain the lenses submerged in the solution, and a hydrophobic element discharges gases produced by electrolysis. An enlarged ruthenium coated anode enhances electrolytic action while inhibiting catalytic degradation, while timing circuitry and indicators on the case enhance operator convenience.

Claims38

Dependent claims

An apparatus for disinfecting lenses, comprising:

a case having a size and shape adapted to be held in the hand of a user and including permanently coupled first and second portions;
the first portion of the case defining an upwardly opening first compartment having a size and shape adapted to contain a quantity of solution and a pair of lenses in side-by-side relationship with the solution;
first and second electrodes disposed at a bottom portion of the first compartment;
a power supply at least partially disposed within the second compartment and adapted to be activated to supply an electric current of the electrodes to electrolyze at least a portion of the quantity of solution;
and
a switch mounted on the case for use in activating the power supply.

3 more elements

An apparatus for disinfecting contact lenses, comprising:

a case having a size and shape adapted to be held in the hand of a user and including permanently coupled first and second portions;
the first portion of the case defining an upwardly opening first compartment having a size and shape adapted to containing a quantity of solution and a pair of lenses within the solution;
first and second electrodes disposed at a bottom portion of the first compartment;
the second portion of the case defining a second compartment adapted to hold at least a portion of a power supply to supply an electric current to the electrodes to electrolyze at least a portion of the quantity of solution;
wherein the first compartment extends from a closed bottom portion to an upper opening and has a size and shape adapted to contain the pair of lenses in side-by-side relationship;
and
the first portion of the case includes a rim circumscribing the upper opening to enable closure of the first compartment with a single cover member.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lens disinfector and method

Life of this patent

Lens disinfector and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38