One-step contact lens sterilization process
OwnerRichard F. Stockelinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A one-step process for sterilizing a contact lens using an aqueous solution of a sterilant which may be a peroxygen disinfectant, an inorganic hypochlorite compound or a hypochlorite precursor compound. The process involves the step of contacting the lens with a solution containing a sterilant (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, etc.) and activated carbon for a period of time to effect sterilization of the lens and to decompose substantially all of any sterilant remaining after sterilization of the lens to ophthalmologically innocuous by-products. The activated carbon has a surface area in excess of about 500 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume of at least about 0.75 ml/g.
Claims8
A process for sterilizing a contact lens which comprises contacting the lens with (a) about 5 to 25 ml of an aqueous solution containing a sterilant and (b) activated carbon, said sterilant being selected from the group consisting of:
- (i) about 1 to 5 wt. %, based on the weight of the aqueous solution, of a peroxygen disinfectant;
- (ii) about 0.0005 to 0.5 wt. %, based on the weight of the aqueous solution, of an inorganic hypochlorite compound;
- and
- (iii) about 0.0005 to 0.5 wt. %, based on the weight of the aqueous solution, of a hypochlorite precursor compound;
- said activated carbon being present in an amount of about 0.1 to 1.0 gram per 10 ml of solution and having a surface area in excess of about 500 m.sup.2 /g and a pore volume of at least about 0.75 ml/g, the contacting of the lens with the solution and the activated carbon occurring for a period of time sufficient to effect sterilization of the lens and to decompose substantially all of any sterilant remaining after sterilization of the lens to ophthalmologically innocuous by-products.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.