Electrochemical contact lens disinfection and neutralization system

• US 5,302,345 A
• Filed: 11/04/1987
• Issued: 04/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henry C. Oksman, Joseph Eisner
• Original Assignee: Henry C. Oksman, Joseph Eisner
• Inventors: Oksman, Henry C., Eisner, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): WARDEN, JILL ALICE
• Application Number:
  US07/117,922
• Time in Patent Office: 2,351 Days
• Field of Search: 422/28, 422/30, 422/292, 422/297, 422/300, 422/22, 204/130, 204/149, 204/232, 204/271, 134/1, 134/27
• US Class Current: 205/701
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 12/023 Electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 12/124 Hydrogen peroxide; Peroxy compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/24 Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for generating superoxides and other free radicals for cleaning and sterilizing contact lenses tonometers and other poorly oxidizing objects in an electrolytic solution which may optionally include an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide enzymes and soaps and for neutralizing the above agents by using electrolysis to decompose the peroxide and to generate free radicals that neutralize the enzymes and soaps and sterilize. The apparatus includes a timer for controlling the process and indicating when sterilization and neutralization are taking place and when they have been completed.

Claims

1. A method of neutralizing a disinfectant liquid, wherein said liquid contains hydrogen peroxide and a salt, comprising

immersing first and second electrodes in said disinfectant liquid in spaced relationship, and

causing an electric current to flow between said electrodes through said liquid.

2. A method of neutralizing a disinfectant liquid according to claim 1 wherein said salt is stable under electrolysis.

3. A method of neutralizing a disinfectant liquid according to claim 2 wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium sulfate, phosphate buffer, potassium bromide, sodium bromide, potassium iodide and sodium iodide.

4. A method of neutralizing a disinfectant liquid according to claim 1 wherein said current is maintained in the range of 2 to 120 milliamperes per cubic centimeter of solution.

5. A method of sterilizing a contaminated article comprising

immersing said article in a disinfectant liquid for a time sufficient to allow disinfection thereof, and

causing an electric current to flow through said liquid between at least two electrodes in contact therewith for a time sufficient to neutralize said disinfectant liquid.

6. A method of sterilizing a contaminated article according to claim 5 further comprising dissolving a salt in said liquid to control the pH thereof and enhance the current flow.

7. Apparatus for performing a process for sterilizing a contaminated article comprising

container means for storing said article,

a disinfectant liquid stored in said container means for at least partially covering said article,

first and second electrode means at least partially in contact within said liquid, said container means including supporting means for maintaining said article disengaged from each of said first and second electrode means,

a current source,

first and second conductor means operatively connected between said respective first and second electrode means and said current source,

means for producing a first signal indicative of the commencement of the process for sterilization of the contaminated article by the disinfectant liquid, and for producing a second signal a predetermined time after said first signal is produced, and

current enabling means responsive to said second signal, enabling current to flow from said current source between said first and second electrode means.

8. Apparatus for sterilizing a contaminated article in accordance with claim 7 wherein said container means comprises spacer means for supporting said article in spaced relationship to a surface thereof to permit said liquid to flow between said article and said surface.

9. Apparatus for sterilizing a contaminated article in accordance with claim 8 wherein said liquid comprises hydrogen peroxide.

10. Apparatus for sterilizing a contaminated article in accordance with claim 9 wherein said liquid comprises an ionized salt.

11. Apparatus for sterilizing a contaminated article in accordance with claim 9 wherein said liquid comprises free radicals of one or more elements contained in the ingredients of said liquid.

12. Apparatus for sterilizing an object in a cleaning and/or disinfectant liquid and thereafter neutralizing the liquid comprising

container means for holding said object in said disinfectant liquid, said container means having a cathode and an anode in contact with said liquid,

and timing said control means releasably connectable to said container means and including first conductor means releasably connectable to said anode, second conductor means releasably connectable to said cathode, power supply means, timer means, and switch means operatively connected to said power supply means, said timer means and at least one of said first and second conductor means for connecting said power supply means to said one of said first and second conductor means at a first predetermined time after said container means is connected to said timing and control means and for disconnecting said power supply means from said one of said first and second conductor means at a second predetermined time after said first predetermined time.

13. Apparatus for sterilizing an object in a cleaning and/or disinfectant liquid and thereafter neutralizing the liquid according to claim 12 further comprising first signal means operatively connected to said timer means and active for a time duration between connection of said container means to said timing and control means and said second predetermined time.

14. Apparatus for sterilizing an object in a cleaning and/or disinfectant liquid and thereafter neutralizing the liquid according to claim 13 further comprising second signal means operatively connected to said timer means and active after said second predetermined time.

15. Apparatus for sterilizing an object in a cleaning and/or disinfectant liquid and thereafter neutralizing the liquid according to claim 12 further comprising sensing means operatively connected to said first conductor means for generating a signal indicative of whether said container means is connected to said timing and control mans, and initializing means operatively connected to said sensing means for resetting said timer means when said container means is not connected to said timing and control means.

16. A method of sterilizing an article comprising

immersing the article in a liquid,

immersing first and second electrodes in said liquid in spaced relationship, and

causing to flow between said electrodes through said liquid an electric current of sufficient magnitude to generate free radicals for disinfecting said article.

17. A method of sterilizing an article according to claim 16 wherein said article and said liquid are disposed in container means formed from a nonconductive material.

18. A method of sterilizing an article according to claim 17 further comprising subjecting said article to a cleaning agent and causing said current to flow at a first predetermined time after said article is subjected to said cleaning agent to generate free radicals for sterilizing said article and/or for neutralizing said disinfecting liquid.

19. A method of sterilizing an article according to claim 18 further comprising interrupting said current at a second predetermined time after said first predetermined time.

20. A method of sterilizing a contaminated article comprising

immersing said article in a liquid salt solution,

causing an electric current to flow through said solution between at least two electrodes in contact therewith for a time sufficient to change the pH thereof whereby said solution is rendered disinfecting,

adding a soap or enzyme to said solution, and

continuing to apply said electric current until the pH of said solution is rendered substantially neutral.