FR2741962A1 - Contact lens disinfection unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit consists of a container (1) with a removable cap (10) and a support for the lenses and a catalyst block (30) which is independent of the cap and has elements to hold at least one lens in a position which allows a disinfectant solution to circulate round the lens placed in the container. It has a mounting (37) situated at one end of the support to hold a catalyst block (40) in place, and a gripper (39) at its other end. The cap is equipped with an element (14) to protect the catalyst block (40) which partially surrounds it to protect against accidental contact while the support (30) is out of the container. It comprises a lateral wall which is fixed at one end to the inside of the cap and is open at the other end (15), which has a retaining plate for the catalyst block.

Description

 Ophthalmic lens disinfection set.

 The present invention relates to a set for disinfecting ophthalmic lenses, and more particularly to such a set in which the ophthalmic lenses can be kept in a disinfection solution circulating thereon in order to disinfect them.

 One method of disinfecting lenses is to immerse the lenses in a disinfecting solution of hydrogen peroxide.

It goes without saying that it is extremely dangerous to insert an ophthalmic lens into the eye which has just been removed from a disinfecting solution of hydrogen peroxide since such a disinfecting solution is highly irritating to the eye. Therefore, the hydrogen peroxide disinfectant solution must be neutralized before the reuse of ophthalmic lenses. This neutralization step is conveniently carried out by bringing a catalyst into contact with the hydrogen peroxide solution.

 There has also been proposed a method and assemblies for disinfecting ophthalmic lenses in which contact is made simultaneously with a disinfection solution, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, the lenses and the catalyst such that the reaction of neutralization of the disinfection solution began at the same time as the decontamination of the lenses was initiated.

 Such a method and an assembly for implementing this method are described in document US-A-4 396 583. In this document, the disinfection assembly consists of a tubular body closed at its two ends by two covers. . A lens holder is arranged inside the tubular body. The block carrying the catalyst is held in one of the covers of the assembly. During use, in a first decontamination step, the catalyst is not in contact with the peroxide solution. It is only by reversing the case that the peroxide solution is brought into contact with the catalyst and that the neutralization operation can begin.

 It is therefore a system operating in two stages.

 On the other hand, before fixing the plug carrying the catalyst to the tubular body of the assembly, the catalyst block is exposed, and the catalyst may be accidentally damaged by possible contact with the fingers of the user or another object.

Document EP-A-354 876 describes a method and a set of disinfection of ophthalmic lenses in which the disinfection of the lenses and the neutralization of the disinfection solution are carried out simultaneously. Document disinfection set
EP-A-0 354 876 comprises a container and a detachable cover mounted on the container. A lens and catalyst block support integral with the stopper hangs from this cover in the container.

With this disinfection set, the disinfection solution, for example a solution of peroxide and hydrogen, is introduced into the container, then the catalyst block and the lenses are introduced simultaneously into the solution when the cover is fixed on the end of the container. In one embodiment of document EP-A354 876, the catalyst block is contained in a housing produced in the lens support on one side of the baskets intended to hold the lenses. Such an embodiment results in a lens and complex catalyst block support.

 In another embodiment of document EP-A-354 876, the catalyst block is simply mounted at the lower end of the lens support, below the lens holding baskets.

With such a construction of the lens holder and catalyst block, the catalyst block is exposed to accidental contact when the cover and the lens holder and catalyst block are removed from the container.

 The present invention therefore aims to provide a set of disinfection of ophthalmic lenses in which the disinfection of the lenses is carried out simultaneously with the neutralization of the disinfection solution which is of simple construction and which avoids any risk of accidental contact of the block of catalyst, in particular with the fingers of a user, which can deteriorate the catalyst, when the catalyst block is outside the container.

 The above objects are achieved by producing according to the invention an ophthalmic lens disinfection assembly comprising a container, a cover detachably mounted on the container and a lens and catalyst block support independent of the cover. The support comprises means for maintaining at least one lens in a position allowing a disinfection solution to circulate around the lens when the support is placed in the container, mounting means located at a first end of the support for maintaining a block of catalyst on the support and a gripping means located at a second end of the support opposite to the first.

 According to the invention, the cover of the disinfection assembly comprises means for protecting the catalyst block designed to receive, retain and at least partially surround the catalyst block so as to protect it from accidental contact when the support is out of the container.

 Preferably, the protection means are also designed to receive and retain means for mounting the catalyst block.

 Retention of the means for mounting the catalyst block in the protection means can be effected by tight fitting of the mounting means in the protection means, by clipping or any other suitable means ensuring sufficient retention and retention of the mounting means in the cover.

 Preferably, the protective means are located inside the cover and better still are integral with a bottom wall of the cover.

 In a recommended embodiment, the means of protection of the catalyst block comprise a housing located inside the cover bounded by a side wall, for example cylindrical, integral with a first end of a bottom wall of the cover and open to a second end and the means for mounting the catalyst block comprise a support plate which fits snugly into the open end of the housing. Preferably, the open end of the housing has an internal rim, for example an annular rim in the case of a cylindrical side wall, serving as a stop for the mounting plate of the catalyst.

 Preferably also, the catalyst mounting plate, for example a generally circular plate is larger in diameter than the catalyst block so that when this plate is fitted into the open end of the side wall of the housing any risk of contact of the catalyst with the side wall of the housing is avoided. The tight fitting can be total over the entire perimeter or local (for example by means of lugs located on the periphery of the circular plate).

 In another embodiment of the invention, the means for protecting the catalyst block comprise a housing delimited by a side wall, for example cylindrical, secured at a first end to a bottom wall of the cover and open at a second end and a stud projecting internally into the housing from the bottom wall of the cover and which comprises a central recess, and the means for mounting the catalyst block comprise a mounting plate, for example a circular plate, provided with a central pin from fitting or fitting tightly into the recess of the cover stud when the lens and catalyst block support is outside the container. In this case, it is not necessary for the plate itself to fit tightly into the open end of the housing.

 When the lens and catalyst block holder is placed in the container and the cover is fixed on the open end of the container, the gripping means located at the second end of the lens holder and the catalyst block is placed at inside the protective housing.

 In a recommended embodiment, the cover and the protection means of the catalyst block consist of a single molded part, for example made of plastic.

The following description refers to the appended figures which respectively represent:
- Figure 1 a sectional view of a recommended embodiment of a lens disinfection assembly according to the invention;
- Figure 2 a sectional view of the disinfection assembly of Figure 1 made along the line AA;
- Figure 3 a sectional view of the cover and the lens support and catalyst block of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the lens support and catalyst block fitted tight in the protective means of the catalyst block of the cover when the lens and catalyst block holder is removed from the container of the disinfection assembly;
- Figure 4 a top view of a catalyst block mounting plate; and
- Figure 5 a sectional view of another embodiment of a cover and a lens support and catalyst block according to the invention, with the lens support and catalyst block outside the container of the assembly disinfection and tightly fitted in the catalyst block protection means of the cover.

 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a set of disinfection of ophthalmic lenses according to the invention. The assembly comprises a container 1 of generally cylindrical shape, a removable cover 10 fitting onto the open end of the container 1, and a support for ophthalmic lenses and catalyst block 30.

 As seen in Figures 1 and 2, the container 1 comprises a side wall of generally cylindrical shape 3 widening outwardly towards its open end. Obviously, the container 1 could be of any other suitable shape such as a polygonal, oval shape, etc.

 The cylindrical side wall 3 of the container 1 is generally provided externally at its upper open end with a thread for connection with the cover. However, any other means of joining the cover 3 to the container 1 can be used, such as a tight fitting, snap-fastening, etc.

 The side wall 3 of the container is also provided internally near the bottom wall 2 of the container with an annular rim 5, the function of which will be explained below.

 Preferably, the container is a molded piece of plastic, for example crystal polystyrene.

 The open end of the container 1 is closed by a cover 10 of generally cylindrical shape whose side wall 12 has, near its open end, an internal thread 13 cooperating with the thread 4 formed externally on the side wall 3 of the container near the open end thereof to secure the lid 10 to the container. The cover 10 also includes a degassing orifice 18 formed in its bottom wall 11.

 According to the invention, the cover 10 is provided with a housing for protecting the catalyst block arranged inside this cover. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 this housing is defined by a cylindrical wall 14 projecting internally from the bottom wall 1 1 of the cover and having an open end 15 generally located in the plane of the open end of the cover. The cylindrical wall 14 of the protective housing generally has a recess near its open end 15 forming an internal annular flange 16. Preferably also, the cylindrical wall 14 of the housing has an internal chamfer 17 extending the flange 16.

 Although there has been shown in Figures 1 and 2 a wall 14 of protective housing in one piece, such a wall may consist of several sectors spaced from each other, the number and / or the width of these sectors being such that this wall 14 provides effective protection of the catalyst block.

 Similarly, although a cylindrical wall 14 of the protective housing has been shown, this wall could have any other suitable shape such as a polygonal, oval shape, etc.

 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cylindrical side wall of the cover 10 has an inner annular flange near its open end and an annular seal 20, for example a silicone seal, surrounding the protective housing of the catalyst is disposed between the inner annular rim of the cover 10 and the container 1. An opening, such as an I-slot or the presence of a pre-hole 21 is generally provided in the silicone seal to allow degassing during disinfection lenses. The pre-hole is generally obtained by perforating the joint using a small diameter needle (1 to 2 mm). The overpressure which builds up in the container during use expands the seal at the level of the slot or the pre-hole thus allowing gases to escape. Instead of a silicone seal, it is also possible to use seals made of other materials to ensure sealing such as polybutadiene.

 Preferably the cover consists of a single molded piece of plastic, for example polypropylene.

 The disinfection assembly further comprises a lens and catalyst block support 30. The lens and catalyst block support comprises a central support pin 31 provided at its upper end with a gripping means 39 and at its end bottom of a catalyst block support plate 37.

 The lenses are held in the lens holder and catalyst block between opposite convex surfaces 34 formed on the axis 31 of the support and by a pair of corresponding convex baskets 32 and 33 pivoting around a transverse axis 36 carried by a thicker part 35 of the axis 31 forming the end of this axis 31 and connecting the support plate 37 of the catalyst to the central support axis 31.

 The lower end of the lens support and catalyst block supports the generally circular catalyst support plate 37. A catalyst block 40 is fixed to the lower surface of this support plate 37. The support plate 37 can be made in one piece with the lens support and catalyst block or can be fixed to the support by any suitable means for example by gluing, welding, etc. The shape and dimensions of the support plate are obviously adapted to the shape of the wall of the protective housing and to the size of the housing. The catalyst block 40 is generally produced by spraying a support layer with a thin layer of the catalyst.

Conveniently, the support plate 37 and the catalyst support block are a single molded part, for example made of plastic, the catalyst being sprayed onto the support block protruding from the lower surface of the support plate 37 Catalyst blocks are known and are described, inter alia, in patents FR-A-76,09910 and EP-A-354,876.

 The support plate 37 is provided with means making it possible, when the lens and catalyst block support is placed in the container, to put the lower part of the container in which the catalyst block is located in communication with the upper part of that -where the lenses are located.

 The support plate 37 may also include two or more pins 38 projecting from the lower surface of the plate 37 beyond the catalyst block for the purpose of protecting the catalyst block.

 Preferably, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gripping means 39, the central support axis 31, the transverse axis 36, the catalyst support plate 37 and the catalyst support block are a single piece , for example a molded plastic part such as poly (oxyphenylene). The baskets 32 are preferably mounted to pivot on the transverse axis 36 by clipping.

 FIG. 4 shows a recommended embodiment of a support plate 37 for the catalyst block 40. As can be seen in FIG. 4, this catalyst support plate is generally circular in shape and has several tabs, in the case present three tabs 37a, 37b, 37c, at its periphery. Obviously one could provide only two tabs or more than three tabs. The plate is also provided with a central hole 50.

The catalyst block 40 can be fixed to the surface of this plate 37 by any suitable means, for example by gluing, welding, etc.

Preferably, the support plate 37 and the catalyst block 40 are formed from a single molded plastic part, the catalyst block being constituted by a support block, for example of plastic material on which a spray has been sprayed. catalyst layer.

Generally, the catalyst block has passages to allow good circulation of the disinfection solution on the catalyst. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the tongues 37a to 37c have a width greater than the width of the annular rim 5 formed inside the side wall of the container near the bottom wall of the container so that, when the catalyst lens support is placed in the container 1, the tabs 37a to 37c rest on this rim, and the periphery of the plate 37 is spaced from the rim 5, thus leaving spaces between the interior surface of the side wall 3 of the container 1 and the periphery of the plate 37. Thus, during the disinfection of the lenses, the volume defined below the plate 37 and containing the catalyst block 40 is in communication with the volume above of plate 37 and containing the lenses. Also the central hole 50 makes the lower volume communicate with the upper volume via a transverse passage formed in the thick part 35 of the central axis 31. Also the disinfection solution can circulate around the catalyst and the lenses under the effect of the gases produced by the neutralization reaction of the solution. The gases thus produced can then be evacuated through the I-slot 21 of the seal 20 and the passage 18 of the cover 10 to avoid overpressure in the container.

 We will now describe the use of the disinfection assembly in conjunction with FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

 When the user wishes to disinfect a pair of ophthalmic lenses, he begins by unscrewing the cover 10 of the container 1 and places the cover 10 upside down on a work surface.

The user can then grasp the lens and catalyst block support by the gripping means 39 and force press the support plate 37 of the catalyst block into the open end 15 of the cylindrical wall 14 defining the protective housing in the cover 10. Thus, when the lens and catalyst block support 30 is located outside the container 1 it can be associated with the cover so that the catalyst block is entirely contained in the protective housing defined by the cylindrical wall 14, which avoids any risk of accidental contact of the catalyst block, for example with the fingers of the user, and consequently a deterioration of the catalyst. The user can then introduce the disinfection solution into the container 1. I1 then places the lenses in the baskets 32 of the catalyst block lens holder 30 then re-enter the lens and catalyst block holder 30 by the gripping means 39 to dissociate it from the cover 10 and introduce it into the disinfection solution now contained in the container 1. Finally, it recaps the container 1 by screwing the cover 10 onto the open end of the container, the means of gripping 39 then being housed in the housing defined by the cylindrical wall 14.

 Due to the existence of the inner rim 5 on the side wall of the container, the catalyst support plate 37 is supported, for example by means of the tongues 37a to 37c, on this rim thus preventing the catalyst block from comes into contact with the bottom wall 2 of the container 1. Likewise when pins 38 are present, they ensure that during the insertion of the lens support and of the catalyst block in the container 1, the catalyst block does not enter not in contact with the bottom wall 2 of the container. As soon as the block of catalyst 40 comes into contact with the disinfection solution, the neutralization reaction for this solution begins and a gassing occurs which puts the disinfection solution in circulation both around the catalyst and around the lenses to be disinfected .Because of the spaces provided between the side wall of the container 1 and the periphery of the support plate 37 and of the central hole 50, the gases generated by the neutralization reaction can be evacuated through the container, then through the I-slot. of the silicone seal 20 and the degassing orifice 18 formed in the cover 10.

 Once the lenses have been disinfected and the disinfection solution has been completely neutralized, the user can then unscrew the cover 10, place it upside down on the work surface, remove the lens and catalyst block support by grasping the gripping means 39 and reinsert the lens and catalyst block support into the cover 10 as previously indicated and shown in FIG. 3. The lenses can then be removed and the disinfection solution discarded.

 FIG. 5 shows the lens and catalyst block support pressed into the cover for another embodiment of the invention.

 This embodiment differs from the embodiment which has just been described only in that there is provided inside the protective housing of the catalyst block formed in the cover 10 a central stud 19 hollowed out, and on the support plate of catalyst 37 a central spindle 51 projecting downward and forcing itself into the recess of the stud 19. With this embodiment, it is not necessary for the support plate 37 to be fitted tightly into the open end of the cylindrical wall 14 defining the protective housing of the catalyst block in the cover 1.

 In this embodiment, of course, the support plate 37 does not have a central hole but may have openings distributed around the central pin 51. In this embodiment also it is possible to have no tongues on the support plate 37 nor rim 5 on the inner surface of the side wall 3 of the container 1. However, the diameter of the plate 37 is generally less than the inside diameter of the container 1 to provide gas passage openings.

 There is thus produced according to the invention a lens disinfection assembly of simple construction allowing effective protection of the catalyst block when the lens and catalyst block support is outside the container of the disinfection assembly.

Claims (12)

 1. Ophthalmic lens disinfection assembly comprising a container (1), a cover (10) detachably mounted on the container, and a lens and catalyst block support (30) independent of the cover (10), said support comprising means (32, 33, 34) for holding at least one lens in a position allowing a disinfection solution to circulate around the lens when said support is placed in the container (1), mounting means (37) located at a first end of the support for holding on the support a catalyst block (40) and a gripping means (39) located at a second end of the support opposite the first, characterized in that the cover 10 comprises means for protection (14) of the catalyst block (40) designed to receive, retain and at least partially surround the catalyst block so as to protect it from accidental contact when said support (30) is out of the container (1).  2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said protection means (14) are located inside the cover.  3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that said protective means (14) are integral with a bottom wall (11) of the cover (10).  4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for protecting the catalyst block comprise a housing delimited by a side wall (14) integral with a first end of the bottom wall (11) of the cover (10) and open at a second end (15) and the means for mounting the catalyst block comprise a plate (37) fitting into the open end (15) of the protective housing.  5. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective means (14) are also designed to receive and retain the mounting means (37) of the catalyst block.  6. An assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the means for mounting the catalyst block (37) are retained by tight fitting in the protective means (14) of the catalyst block.  7. The assembly of claim 5, characterized in that the catalyst block mounting means (37) are retained in the protective means (14) of the catalyst block by clipping.  8. An assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for protecting the catalyst block comprise a housing delimited by a side wall (14) integral with a first end of the bottom wall (11) of the cover (10) and open at a second end (15) and a stud (19) projecting internally from the bottom wall (11) of the cover (10) in the housing and comprising a central recess and in that means for mounting the block of catalyst comprise a plate (37) provided with a central pin (51) intended to fit closely into the recess of the nipple of the cover when the lens and catalyst block support (30) is out of the container (1) .  9. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the means for protecting the catalyst block are molded in one piece with the cover.  10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a seal (20) surrounding the protective housing (14) disposed between the cover (10) and the container (1) and comprising a orifice (21) for degassing the container.  11. The assembly of claim 10 characterized in that the orifice (21) is a pre-hole.  12. The assembly of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the seal (20) is a silicone or polybutadiene seal.