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Title:
AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR CLEANING CONTACT LENSES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1989/000429
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A rotating agitational device, upon which is mounted a case (14) containing at least one lens and lens cleaning fluid, is electrically driven in a figure eight motion. This causes the contact or each lens to move about rapidly and clean itself automatically in a time of up to 60 seconds. The frequency of the agitations is between 10 and 100 Hz and is preferably between 35 and 45 Hz.

Inventors:
IFEJIKA CHARLES (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB1988/000573
Publication Date:
January 26, 1989
Filing Date:
July 18, 1988
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
IFEJIKA CHARLES (GB)
International Classes:
G02C13/00; A61L2/02; (IPC1-7): A61L2/00; G02C13/00
Foreign References:
US4597399A1986-07-01
US4691725A1987-09-08
EP0126665A11984-11-28
US4653519A1987-03-31
FR2570513A11986-03-21
EP0178756A11986-04-23
Download PDF:
Claims:
AMENDED CLAIMS[received by the International Bureau on 26 January 1989 (26.01.89); I original claims
1. 19 replaced by amended claims 1 . 15 (3 pages)] 1 A cleaning apparatus tor use in cleaning contact lenses, the apparatus comprising tank means tor receiving at least one contact lens and contact lens 5 cleaning fluid and an electrically operated motor for agitating the tank means, said agitating means effecting reciprocating motion in a rotational or linear sense, the electrically operated motor simultaneously imparting vibrations to the tank at a frequency of from 10 . 100 Hz, preferably 35 . 45 Hz.
2. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tank means define one pair of discrete chambers, each for receiving an individual contact lens.
3. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, 15 wherein said tank means comprise a pair of dished tank regions, each dished tank region being provided with a closure.
4. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each closure is in the form of a screw. on cap, 0 each dished tank being provided with a threaded portion upon which the cap is received.
5. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tank means has a single tank chamber divided into two separate regions by a screen or mesh or with two central perforated baskets that can hold individual contact lenses.
6. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrically operated motor has a speed control for varying speed of movement of the U tank means.
7. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, and additionally comprising a heating element to provide facilities for thermal disinfection of the or each contact lens once the or each lens has been cleaned.
8. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the tank means has a sponge or polystyrene attachment against which each lens rubs when the cleaning solution is in motion.
9. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said tank means is removably mounted upon an output from said electrically operated motor.
10. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said electrically operated motor is adapted to be powered by a. mains supply and incorporates a transformer and a rectifier, said U transformer automatically responding to the level of power supply and regulating the supply of power to the electric motor accordingly.
11. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said electrically operated motor 5 is adapted to be powered by a battery, is rechargeable and is adapted to be recharged via a transformer and a rectifier.
12. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said electrical agitating means 0 includes a timer such that the electrically operated motor is operative for a predetermined period of time after being switched on, before switching off automatically.
13. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any Ϊ preceding claim, wherein the motor is associated with a drive mechanism for agitating the tank means, which drive mechanism comprises a gear train for imparting reciprocating motion to the the tank means concommitant with said vibration.
14. A method of cleaning at least one contact lens, said method comprising the steps of charging tank means as defined in one or more preceding claim with contact lens cleaning fluid, inserting the or each contact lens into the cleaning fluid, agitating the tank means by means of an electrically operated motor with concommitant vibration of the tank at a frequency of 10 to 100 Hz, preferably 35 to 45 Hz to effect cleaning of the or each lens and subsequently removing the or each lens from the tank means.
15. A method according to claim 14, said method comprising the additional step of sealing the tank means after insertion of the or each lens into the cleaning fluid and prior to agitating the tank means with concommitant vibration. CLAIMS : 1 A cleaning apparatus for cleaning contact lenses, said apparatus comprising tank means for receiving at least one contact lens, and electrical means for agitating the tank means, said agitating means being either rotational, reciprocating or linear and being adapted to operate at a frequency of between 10 . 100 Hz, such that a thorough cleaning of the or each lens is effected.
16. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 comprising indicia means for identifying tank regions for housing respective lenses of lens pairs.
17. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said tank means define one pair of discrete tanks, each for receiving an individual contact lens.
18. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said tank means comprise a pair of dished tank regions, each dished tank region being provided with a closure.
19. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each closure is in the form of a screw on cap, each dished tank being provided with a threaded portion upon which the cap is received.
20. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrical means has a speed control that provides a relatively slow or a relatively rapid movement of the tank means.
21. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, and additionally comprising a heating element to provide facilities for heat disinfection of the or each contact lens once the or each lens has been cleaned.
22. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said tank means has a single tank chamber divided into two separate regions by a screen or mesh or with two central perforated baskets that can hold individual contact lenses.
23. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the tank means has a sponge or polystyrene attachment against which each lens rubs when the cleaning solution is in motion.
24. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said tank means are removably mounted upon said output.
25. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said electrical agitating means are adapted to be powered by a mains supply.
26. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said agitating means incorporates a transformer and a rectifier.
27. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said transformer automatically senses the level of power supply and regulates the supply to the electric motor accordingly.
28. A cleaning apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 10 , wherein said electrical agitating means are adapted to be powered by a battery.
29. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the battery is rechargeable and is adapted to be recharged via said transformer and said rectifier.
30. A cleaning apparatus according to any preceding claims, wherein said electrical agitating means include a timer such that the agitating means agitate for a predetermined period of time after being switched on, before switching off automatically.
31. A method of cleaning at least one contact lens, said method comprising the steps of charging tank means as defined in any preceding claim with contact lens cleaning fluid, inserting the contact lens or each lens into the cleaning fluid, agitating the tank means to effect cleaning of the or each lens and subsequently removing the or each lens from the tank means.
32. A method according to claim 11 , said method comprising the additional step of sealing the tank means after insertion of the or each lens into the cleaning fluid and prior to vibrating the tank means.
33. A method according to claim 8, said method comprising a gear train between the motor and the arm of the lens holder.
Description:

INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)

(51) International Patent Classification 4 - (11) International Publication Number: WO 89/ 00

A61 2/00, G02C 13/00 Al (43) International Publication Date : 26 January 1989 (26.01

(21) International Application Number: PCT/GB88/00573 Published

With international search report.

(22) International Filing Date: 18 July 1988 (18.07.88) Before the expiration of the time limit for amendin claims and to be republished in the event of the re of amendments.

(31) Priority Application Number: 8716886

(32) Priority Date: 17 July 1987 (17.07.87)

(33) Priority Country: GB

(71X72) Applicant and Inventor: IFEJIKA, Charles [GB/ GB]; 49 Donaldson Rd., London NW6 6NE (GB).

(74) Common Representative: ; 49 Donaldson Road, London NW6 6NE (GB).

(81) Designated States: AT (European patent), BE (Euro¬ pean patent), CH (European patent), DE (European patent), FR (European patent), GB (European pa¬ tent), IT (European patent), JP, LU (European pa¬ tent), NL (European patent), SE (European patent), US.

(54) Title: AN APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR CLEANING CONTACT LENSES

(57) Abstract

A rotating agitational device, upon which is mounted a case ( 14) containing at least one lens and lens cleaning flui is electrically driven in a figure eight motion. This causes the contact or each lens to move about rapidly and clean its automatically in a time of up to 60 seconds. The frequency of the agitations is between 10 and 100 Hz and is preferably b tween 35 and 45 Hz.

ar.c

It is known that ultrasonic vibrations can be used to clean and help sterilize soft contact lenses. Firstly an ultrasonic device is used to produce sound frequency vibrations which are then transmitted into a tank means containing soft contact lenses and lens cleaning fluid and the contact lenses appear to remain virtually stationary.

The ultrasonic device generates an unseen wave of highly accelerated cleaning molecules which continuously bombard the lens surface. The contact lenses do not appear to move, nevertheless, an imperceptible scrubbing action is created which helps to remove proteins, mucins and other deposits from the lens surface. GB-A-1484945 discloses such a device which also uses heat disinfection to complete the process. However such a process is fairly time consuming and the device may prove too costly for general public use. Electro-mechanical means may be used to produce high energy vibrations which can be employed to much the same effect as sound vibrations in an ultrasonic device. The high energy device once again transmits its vibrations into tank means. This generates an unseen wave of cleaning molecules to clean the surface of the lens. As one can observe, the lens cleaning fluid and the contact lenses will appear to remain virtually stationary throughout the entire process. Although such a device would be less expensive to produce, the cleaning time will still be relatively long such as 12 - 13 minutes. There is also a question as to whether such subtle devices can successfully remove dirt and other foreign bodies adhering to the lens. The present invention provides a convenient, safe but more importantly quick and effective method of

cleaning contact lenses. There is provided a cleaning apparatus comprising tank means containing contact lens fluid and electrical means that provide a rotating agitation at its output. The rotational agitation in the tank means is such that a figure eight movement is effected. This movement in the tank mrans causes the contact lenses to move about rapidly within the cleaning fluid so that a thorough washing of the lenses is effected automatically. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical means will provide " a linear reciprocating agitation at its output. The agitation may be a slow or a rapid movement thus a rheostat or speed control may be present in the cleaning apparatus. The motion in the tank means, whether rotating or side to side, causes the contact lenses to move about and wash themselves automatically in the lens cleaning fluid.

Conveniently, said tank means define one pair of discrete thanks, each for receiving an individual contact lens. Alternatively there may be a single tank chamber divided into two separate regions or with two central perforated baskets that hold individual contact lens. A sponge or polystyrene attachment may be present in the tank means such that an abrasive rubbing action would be effected upon the contact lenses whilst the machine is in operation. A heating element may also be present in the tank means to provide heat disinfection once the lenses have been cleaned.

The process hereby disclosed is particularly advantageous to people with busy schedules as the entire process can be achieved in about 30 - 60 seconds when operating at a frequency of 20 - 45 H 2 .

The present invention provides apparatus for cleaning contact lenses, said apparatus comprising tank means for receiving at least one lens, said tank means defining separate regions each for receiving an

individual lens, and electrical means for agitating the tank means, such that a thorough cleaning of the lenses is affected when the lenses are received within an appropriate cleaning fluid in the tank means. The present invention also provides apparatus for cleaning contact lenses, said apparatus comprising tank means containing contact lens cleaning fluid, said tank means defining separate regions, each containing an individual contact lens, and electrical means for agitating said tank means, such that thorough cleaning of the lenses is effected.

Preferably, said electrical agitating means may be adapted to be powered by a mains supply, and may also incorporate a transformer, which automatically senses the level of power supply and regulates the supply to the electric means accordingly.

Preferably, said electrical agitating means comprise an electric motor adapted to provide an agitating motion at its output, said tank means being mounted upon said output so that the tank means itself may be agitated.

Conveniently said tank means are removably mounted upon said output.

Alternatively said electrical agitating means may be adapted to be powered by a battery.

The battery may be rechargeable and may be adapted to be recharged, with rectification, via said transformer.

Preferably, said electrical agitating means includes a timer such that the agitating means agitate for a predetermined length of time after being switched on before being switched off automatically.

The present invention also provides a method of cleaning contact lenses, said method comprising the steps of charging the tank means with contact lens cleaning fluid, inserting the contact lenses into the

cleaning fluid, electrically agitating the tank means to effect cleansing of the lenses and subsequently removing the lenses from the tank means.

Said method may comprise the additional step of sealing the tank means after insertion of the lenses into the cleaning fluid prior to agitating the tank means.

The agitator may comprise any form of electrical agitator, and may, for example, comprise an electric motor provided with an eccentric arrangement or a cam arrangement or may comprise a motor consisting of a coil supplied with an A.C. current and a core which is sequentially attracted to and repelled by the coil as the flow of current is repeatedly reversed. In any event the agitator provides a reciprocating action. This reciprocating action is transferred to the tank means and thus will shake the tank means and the contents thereof vigorously from side-to-side. The agitator may be powered by means of a rectifier and batteries or an A.C. mains supply. The agitator may alternatively incorporate a rectifier and a rechargeable battery which can be charged up from the A.C. mains supply, then allowing the cleaning apparatus to be used in locations remote from any power supply. The agitator may incorporate a transformer which automatically senses the level of the power supply and regulates the supply, so as to provide the correct level of voltage to the electrical motor or rechargeable battery. This will enable the apparatus to be used either with a 110 volt A.C. supply or a 210 - 240 volts A.C. supply.

The rotationally agitation version of the device for cleaning contact lenses is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figures 1 and 2 are respectively plan and side views in which;

1. Support for contact lens case

2. Spring mechanism

3. Supporting wheel

4. Rechargeable batteries compartment 5. Container for machine

6. Arm support

7. Arm of drive mechanism

8. Attracting and repelling magnets

9. Wheel screws 10. Coil for A.C. current

11. Mains terminal

12. Rechargeable battery terminal

13. Coil terminals

1 . Storage case 15. Screw-on caps

Figure 1 is a plan view of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention and Figure 2 is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 1.

The storage case 14 has two concave recesses, each recess having a circular opening formed within the upper surface. Each concave recess constitutes a dished tank within which a contact lens and contact lens cleaning fluid is received. A screw-on cap 15 is provided for each recess, the screw-on cap 15 is screwed onto a threaded boss so as to close each concave recess.

The agitator may comprise any form of electrical agitator, and may, for example, comprise an electric motor provided with an eccentric arrangement or a cam arrangement or may comprise a motor consisting of a coil supplied with an A.C. current and a core which is sequentially attracted to and repelled by the coil as the flow of current is repeatedly reversed. In any event the agitator provides a reciprocating motion on the arm 7. The arm 7 is received within the supporting wheel 3 and thus the rotational motion of the arm 7 is

transferred to the storage case 14 and will thus shake the case 14 and the contents of the concave recess vigorously from side to side.

The agitator may be simply controlled by an on-off switch but, in a preferred embodiment, the agitator incorporates, in addition to an on-off switch, a timer so that, once the agitator has been switched on, the apparatus will run for a predetermined length of time and then subsequently switch itself off automatically. The cleaning apparatus is very simple to use since it is only necessary to fill the tank means with cleaning fluid, place the contact lenses into their respective chambers, screw the caps into position and switch on the agitator. Once the apparatus has operated for a predetermined period of time, the agitator is switched off automatically and the lenses may then be removed from the cleaning fluid. Thus the apparatus requires little supervision and permits the operator to do something else whilst the lenses are being cleaned. The tank means or casing is removably mounted so as to facilitate the filling of the chambers with fluid and to facilitate the insertion and removal of the lenses into and out of the chambers.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications and alterations may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope thereof. Thus it would be possible to provide a casing which is designed to receive more than one pair of contact lenses. As previously mentioned the agitator may be of any suitable design, so long as it effects vigorous shaking of the casing. In an alternative embodiment there may be a single tank chamber divided into two separate regions by a perforated screen or mesh. The cleaning apparatus may provide electrical means for vibrating the tank means, sid vibrating means reciprocating, so that the contact lenses move about and wash themselves

automatically within the cleaning fluid provided. In all cases the frequency in c/p/s should be between 10 -

100 Hz and preferably between 35 - 45 Hz. In certain other embodiments the connection between the motor and the arm of the drive mechanism may comprise a gear train designed to reciprocate the arm. This gear train will allow the contact lens holder to agitate rotationally within the tank means.