Method and apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses

• US 4,956,155 A
• Filed: 03/29/1989
• Issued: 09/11/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Original Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (University of Colorado System)
• Inventors: Bulard, Ronald A., Rohrer, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WARDEN, JILL ALICE
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnston, Jill
• Application Number:
  US07/330,602
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 422/21, 422/292, 422/297, 422/300, 422/310, 250/455.1, 219/10.55 E, 206/5.1
• US Class Current: 422/297
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 12/066 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0011 using physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/12 Microwaves

Abstract

Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses wherein the lenses are moved in a circular orbit within a microwave oven through variations of energy levels in the microwave field in the oven, with the orbit of movement being spaced from the floor of the oven.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sterilizing a contact lens in a microwave oven and rehydrating the contact lens with fluid, said apparatus being insertable into a microwave oven having a floor, comprising:

a container constructed of a material which is transparent to microwaves having a bottom, a top, and at least one side wall wherein the bottom and the side wall cooperate to form a retaining space capable of retaining fluid;

means for supporting a contact lens in the retaining space capable of permitting contact between the contact lens and the fluid and capable of preventing any portion of the contact lens from touching another portion of the contact lens;

means for rehydrating the contact lens with fluid after radiating the contact lens with microwaves; and

means for moving the container through various locations of microwave energy levels within the oven in spaced relation from the floor of the oven until the lens is sterilized comprising;

a turntable adapted to rest on the floor of the microwave oven; and

a support comprising an upright portion extending upwardly from the turntable and a transverse portion which extends transversely from the center of the turntable adapted to support the container in spaced relation from a vertical axis through the turntable.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transverse portion of the support is characterized by a portion on which the container rests, and wherein said transverse portion is transparent to microwaves.