Process and apparatus for heat disinfecting soft contact lenses
AssigneeFlexiclave, Inc.
InventorsBarry S. Kutner, Daniel A. Latowicki, Kenneth E. Malech
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for disinfecting soft contact lenses includes a vessel at least partially formed of material transparent to microwave electromagnetic radiation, disinfecting solution receivable within the vessel, a device for irradiating the disinfecting solution within the vessel with microwave electromagnetic radiation, and shielding apparatus for defining a radiation shielded interior portion within the vessel receivable of contact lenses and disinfecting solution, and an unshielded interior portion within the vessel which is in fluid communication with the shielded portion.
Claims16
An apparatus for heat disinfecting soft contact lenses, comprising:
- a vessel having an interior, said vessel being at least partially formed of material transparent to microwave electromagnetic radiation;
- disinfecting solution receivable within said vessel;
- means for irradiating said disinfecting solution within said vessel with microwave electromagnetic radiation;
- and
- shielding means for dividing the interior of said vessel into at least one shielded interior portion which is substantially free of microwave electromagnetic radiation during irradiation of said disinfecting solution within said vessel by said irradiating means, and an unshielded interior portion in fluid communication with said shielded portion and which is exposed to said microwave electromagnetic radiation during irradiation of said vessel by said irradiating means, said shielded interior portion being receivable of contact lenses.
An apparatus for heat disinfecting soft contact lenses, comprising:
- shielding means for substantially surrounding contact lenses for shielding the lenses from microwave electromagnetic radiation;
- a pouch formed of flexible vapor-impermeable sheet material transparent to microwave electromagnetic radiation, said pouch having means defining an opening through which the contact lenses and disinfecting solution are introduced into said pouch, said opening being closable after introduction of the contact lenses and said disinfecting solution to form a liquid-tight assembly;
- disinfecting solution being contained within said pouch in a quantity sufficient to remain in contact with said contact lenses;
- means for irradiating said liquid-tight assembly with microwave electromagnetic radiation to heat said disinfecting solution with the lenses introduced in said pouch remaining in contact with said heated solution and with said shielding means providing a barrier to prevent transmission of substantial microwave electromagnetic radiation onto the lenses,
- whereby the contact lenses are heat disinfected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.