Method and system for asepticizing contact lenses and storing device

• US 5,120,499 A
• Filed: 01/11/1990
• Issued: 06/09/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: U V Black Box Corporation
• Original Assignee: U V Black Box Corporation
• Inventors: Baron, Neville A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Alexander, Lyle A.
• Application Number:
  US07/463,451
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 422/24, 250/455.1, 250/492.1, 250/504 R
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/135 having aromatic rings , e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline methadone A61K31/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/22 Hormones derived from pro-opiomelanocortin, pro-enkephalin or pro-dynorphin A61K38/33, e.g. corticotropin A61K38/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 38/24 Follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]; Chorionic gonadotropins, e.g. HCG; Luteinising hormone [LH]; Thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 12/026 Ultrasounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 12/063 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 13/008 Devices specially adapted for cleaning contact lenses

Abstract

Light-transmitting contact lenses of Polymethylacrylate, Gas Permeable of Hydrogel materials may be immersed in an aqueous liquid medium contained in a storing and processing device, all of which are substantially transparent to the ultraviolet radiation spectrum. The lenses, liquid medium and storing device are all irradiated with ultraviolet radiation in a preselected frequency range, while simultaneously being subjected to ultrasonic frequency vibrations to thereby cause asepticization of lenses, liquid medium and storing device. The ultraviolet irradiation and ultrasonic vibrations are insufficient to cause detrimental molecular modification to the lenses or storing device, but does cause the formation of oxidation free radicals in the liquid medium. The unique combination of ultraviolet irradiation and ultrasonic vibration in the presence of the liquid medium containing oxidation free radicals cause rapid destruction of all microorganisms associated with the lenses, liquid medium and storing device.

Claims

1. An improved method for destroying and rendering inert micro-organism found on the surface or in the body of a light transmitting contact lens made of polymethylmethacrylate, gas permeable or hydrogel material, comprising the steps of:

a. immersing a contact lens in an enclosable portable receptacle containing an aqueous liquid medium; and

b. irradiating said immersed lens, while in said enclosable receptacle and aqueous liquid medium, with ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength of approximately 290 to 310 nanometers.

2. The method of claim 1 in which said gas permeable material is cellulose acetate butyrate, siloxahyl/methacrylate, silicone resin and elastone, fluorocarbon or styrene.

3. The method of claim 1 in which said hydrogel material is hydrated polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate.

4. The method of claim 1 in which said receptacle is substantially air tight and made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

5. The method of claim 1 in which said liquid medium is sterile water, sterile normal saline, sterile hydrogen peroxide of less than 30 parts per million, or a combination of sterile normal saline and methox salen or sterile hydrogen peroxide solutions.

6. The method of claim 1 in which at least part of said receptacle is substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation at the wavelength of said ultraviolet radiation, and in which the irradiating step is carried out by passing said ultraviolet radiation through said transparent part of the receptacle while said receptacle is closed.

7. The method of claim 1 including the step of vibrating the immersed lens in said enclosable receptacle and aqueous liquid medium at an ultrasonic frequency while carrying out the irradiating step.

8. The method of claim 7 in which said ultrasonic frequency is in the range of 30 to 35 kilohertz.

9. The method of claim 1 in which said liquid medium comprises an oxidizing agent which is broken down into free oxidation radicals when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

10. The method of claim 9 in which said oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide.

11. The method of claim 9 in which said oxidizing agent is methox salen.

12. An improved system for destroying, and rendering inert, micro-organisms which may be found on the surface or in the body of a light transmitting contact lens made of polymethylmethacrylate, gas permeable or hydrogel material, the improvement comprising of:

a. an enclosable portable carrier receptacle having a main body with a top surface with at least two recesses in said top surface of said main body, each recess being of sufficient size to accept and hold a contact lens body together with a sufficient amount of an aqueous liquid medium to envelop said contact lens body, and a substantially liquid-tight cover for enclosing said recesses;

said cover, receptacle and liquid medium being substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation at wavelengths of approximately 290 to 310 nanometers;

b. means for radiating ultraviolet energy at wavelengths of approximately 290 to 310 nanometers, said radiating means having at least 0.3 watts of continuous energy output;

c. means for producing ultrasonic vibrations having a frequency in the range of 30 to 35 kilohertz; and

d. means providing an enclosure containing said ultraviolet source and maintaining said ultraviolet source in fixed, spaced relationship with said receptacle for direct irradiation of said lens body and liquid medium by said ultraviolet source through said cover, and means for receiving said receptacle in said enclosure and maintaining said receptacle in continuous vibratory contact with said means for producing ultrasonic vibrations, and electrical means, within said enclosure, for excitation and control of said means for radiating ultraviolet energy and means for producing ultrasonic vibrations.

13. An improved system of claim 12 in which said receptacle and cover are made of polytetrafluoroethylene.