Apparatus for sterilizing contact lenses

• US 4,971,773 A
• Filed: 03/02/1987
• Issued: 11/20/1990
• 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:
  US07/020,375
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 422/21, 422/22, 422/307, 219/10.55 R, 219/10.55 F, 206/5.1, 250/433
• US Class Current: 422/307
• 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 having a floor, said apparatus being insertable in the microwave oven, comprising;

a container, including a top and a bottom, constructed of a material which is transparent to microwaves;

means for supporting a contact lens comprising a convex protrusion on the inside of the bottom of the container to receive and support the contact lens; and

means for supporting the container and moving the container in a generally circular orbit through various locations of microwave energy within a microwave oven in spaced relation from the floor of the oven until the lens is sterilized;

and wherein said container further comprises a series of apertures in the top thereof, at least one of said series of apertures being offset from said convex protrusion of said means for supporting the lens.

2. An apparatus for sterilizing a contact lens in a microwave oven having a floor, said apparatus being insertable in the microwave oven, comprising:

a container constructed of a material which is transparent to microwaves;

means for supporting a contact lens comprising a convex protrusion on the inside of the bottom of the container to receive and support the contact lens; and

means for supporting an moving the container through various locations of microwave energy within a microwave 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 a 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;

and wherein said container further comprises a series of apertures in the top thereof, at least on of said series of apertures being offset from said convex protrusion of said means for supporting the container.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 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.

4. An apparatus for sterilizing a contact lens in a microwave oven having a floor, said apparatus being insertable in the microwave oven, comprising:

a container, including a top and a bottom, constructed of a material which is transparent to microwaves including an aperture for permitting steam to escape during sterilization and an aperture for introducing saline into the container to contact the lens for rehydrating the lens after sterilization, said aperture for introducing saline being positioned so the saline is introduced into the bottom of the container and rises to contact the lens as saline is introduced through said aperture;

means for supporting a contact lens a distance above the bottom of the container; and

means for supporting the container and moving the container through various locations of microwave energy within a microwave oven in spaced relation from the floor of the oven until the lens is sterilized.