Visible Protein Removal

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to contact lenses cleaners and compositions thereof. Specifically it relates to an aqueous solution that cleans and disinfects contact lenses while producing visible protein discharge.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Contact lenses are worn for a variety reasons ranging from medical to aesthetic. Contacts come into direct contact with the cornea and must be kept clean for continued use and to prevent infection. Failure to keep contact lenses properly cleaned can result in irritation, infection, and lasting damage to a user's eyes including vision loss and blindness.

[0003] Cleaning solution is used to clean contacts, an example of which is US patent 5858937, "Treatment of contact lenses with aqueous solution including phosphonic compounds". US patent 5858937 is incorporated by reference in its entirety in this application. Failure to keep contact lenses properly cleaned can occur from failure to clean or failure to properly use cleaning solution. One manner in which people fail to properly use cleaning solution is through failure to understand the purpose of different solutions. Contact solutions include: cleaning solution, rinsing solution, disinfecting solution, multipurpose solution, and rewetting solution. These perform different purposes and are not equally beneficial at removing protein build up. Even a once effective solutions may become ineffective overtime. Factors such as heat can alter the efficacy of the solution over time regardless of an expiration date. Brief Summary of Embodiments of the Invention

[0004] Current contact lens cleaners and solutions produce no evidence or confirmation that they are working for a user. The solutions and protein discharge are both clear. The user has no visible confirmation and must rely on the solution working properly. This depends on the user relying on their understanding of the product and proper usage as well as on manufacture expiration dates, which, as previously discussed, may not accurately reflect any individual bottles efficacy depending on circumstances.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a contact solution that provides a visible confirmation for the user that the solution is working, that a user's lenses are protein free, and that none of the discharge is on the lens and in need of further rinsing.

[0006] The present invention in some embodiments thereof, relates to contact lenses cleaners and compositions thereof. Specifically it relates to an aqueous solution that cleans and disinfects contact lenses while producing visible protein discharge.

[0007] Aspects of some embodiments of the present invention include a composition for cleaning contact lenses and producing visible discharge. The composition comprises polyvinyl-alcohol, povidone, and an isotonic contact solution.

[0008] Aspects of a further embodiment of the present composition may contain about 0.1% to 1% polyvinyl-alcohol and 0.1% to 1% povidone. The total volume of the povidone and polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution is about 0.25 -0.5ml. The povidone and polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution will additionally be added to about 5-10 ml contact solution. The overall volume may change in other embodiments, and the ratios of the component parts may increase proportionately. [0009] In another embodiment the isotonic solution may be a specific type of solution. The solution may comprise a phosphonic compound represented by the formula:

wherein Z is a connecting radical equal in valence to n, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, and containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted or substituted saturated hydrocarbon radicals and amine- containing radicals, which amine-containing radicals are saturated hydrocarbon radicals in which the carbon atoms are interrupted with at least one nitrogen atom that forms a secondary or tertiary amine and in which the number of carbon atoms in the amine containing radical is at least n+1, wherein said substituted saturated hydrocarbon radicals may be substituted with halogen, hydroxy, amine, carboxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl and/or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, wherein the substituted phenyl may be substituted with halogen, hydroxy, amine, carboxy and/or alkyl, and wherein said alkyl or alkoxy has 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an effective amount of at least one non-oxidative antimicrobial agent for a contact-lens treating solution.

[0010] In yet another embodiment of the composition the isotonic solution comprises (in percent by weight volume): polyhexamethylenebiguanide HC1 (as a 20% w/w solution available under themark Cosmocil CQ, from ICI ChemicalCo.) 0.00047, boric acid 0.64, sodium borate 0.12, edetate disodium 0.11, sodium chloride 0.49, poloxamine (Tetronic ® 1107 from BASF Co.) 1.00, tetrasodium etidronate (as a 30% (w/w)solution available under the markDeQuest ® 2016 from Monsanto Co.), hydrochloride acid IN as required for pH adjustment, sodium hydroxide IN as required for pH adjustment, and purified water up to 100.

[0011] This embodiment may additionally have added sterile water, citrus acid, gluconic acid, tartanic acid, potassium citrate, and carbonate sodium as needed to increase efficacy of the solution.

[0012] Another embodiment of the invention includes a method for cleaning contact lenses and producing visible discharge comprising the application of a composition comprises polyvinyl-alcohol, povidone, and an isotonic contact solution to contact lenses in a container.

[0013] A number of contact solutions may be used as a base. In one embodiment a sterile isotonic solution is used. Sterile isotonic solutions both clean and disinfect. By adding about 0.1% - 1% polyvinyl-alcohol and povidone the protein discharge becomes opaque as a visible white discharge.

[0014] Many users find multipurpose solutions, such as the described isotonic solution, to be beneficial in their cleaning processes. However, the type of solution can depend on any specific user's need or preference.

[0015] Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached hereto.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The present invention, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

[0017] Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention from different viewing angles. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer to such views as "top," "bottom" or "side" views, such references are merely descriptive and do not imply or require that the invention be implemented or used in a particular spatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a visual depicting the effects of an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments of the Invention

[0019] From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms of example environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments. [0020] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to contact lenses cleaners and compositions thereof. Specifically it relates to an aqueous solution that cleans and disinfects contact lenses while producing visible protein discharge.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a visual depicting the effects of an embodiment of the invention. In a container 10 the composition of the present invention 12 results in and solid opaque mass 14. The solid opaque mass 14 is composed of protein discharge and dirt from the contact. Protein discharge and dirt originate from the eye and the environment respectively. The solid opaque mass 14 is removable. After removal of the opaque mass 14, additional polyvinyl alcohol and povidone may be added directly to the remaining composition of the present invention 12 for reuse. In a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the reaction forming the solid opaque mass 14 takes six hours to complete. The reaction time depends on the concentration of povidone and polyvinyl alcohol used with the rate increasing with the concentration.

[0023] The composition of the present invention, in one embodiment, includes about 0.25ml to 0.5ml combined: about 0.1 - 1% povidone and about 0.1 - 1% polyvinyl- alcohol, and about 5-10 ml contact solution. Greater volumes may be used in similar ratios. In a non-limiting embodiment the concentration of the povidone-polyvinyl alcohol saline solution, which is add to the isotonic contact solution, contains 0.55% povidone and 0.55% polyvinyl alcohol.

[0024] Polyvinyl-alcohol is a water soluble synthetic polymer with the chemical formula [CH2CH(OH)] _n . As a polymer polyvinyl-alcohol can be formed as a solid, but as it is water soluble it can be in solution as well. In solution it is considered a safe substance in interactions with the human eye.

[0025] Povidone is a synthetic water soluble polymer that is sometimes referred to as polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP, or polyvidone. Povidone is regularly used safely in a variety of pharmaceutical uses and has been approved by the FDA.

[0026] Both povidone and polyvinyl readily form films.

[0027] Povidone and polyvinyl may be used in conjunction with a variety of solutions. Contact solutions vary for many reasons ranging from an overall purpose, as described above, or for targeted treatments such as dry or sensitive eyes. Generally a contact solution will be a sterile saline solution containing buffers that help protect your eyes, and other agents to help keep the liquid sterile. The solution described in US patent 5858937 describes a commonly used contact solution and is a non-limiting example of what may be used as a contact solution by a user. Other contact solutions may be used.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention povidone and polyvinyl are used in conjunction with an isotonic solution that contains: polyhexamethylenebiguanide HCL; boric acid; sodium borate; edate disodium; sodium chloride; poloxamine; tetrasodium etidronate; and hydrochloride acid. In another embodiment sterile water; citrus acid; gluconic acid; tartanic acid; potassium citrate; and carbonate sodium are also included.

[0029] The above use of polyvinyl-alcohol and povidone are not exclusive of other uses.

[0030] In a variant, the composition of the present invention includes about 0.25ml to 0.5ml combined: about 0.1 - 1% povidone and about 0.1 - 1% polyvinyl-alcohol, and about 5-10 ml contact solution, and further comprises 0.00003% polyaminopropyl and 0.025% edetate disodium as a preservative. Greater volumes may be used in similar ratios.