JP2006275811A - Inspection system for hydrous ocular lens - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection system for a hydrous ocular lens which can conduct appearance inspection for a hydrous ocular lens in an immersed state efficiently with keeping an aseptic condition and with favorable precision and workability. <P>SOLUTION: Inspection fluid 64 is supplied to an inspection container 58 successively by nearly a constant amount through an inspection-fluid supply pipe conduit 68 of which the discharge port provided at its tip is open toward the bottom of the inspection container 58, while the inspection fluid 64 is allowed to get over a surrounding wall 62 of the inspection container 58, to be overflown, and discharged. In the inspection container 58, a hydrous ocular lens to be inspected 20 is allowed to be immersed and is subjected to appearance inspection in a swollen state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water-containing ophthalmic lens, for example, a soft contact lens, which can easily and accurately inspect the appearance and the like in a situation where adhesion of foreign matter and microorganisms can be prevented. The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method.

  Conventionally, in an ophthalmic lens such as a contact lens or an intraocular lens, an appearance inspection is performed in a process after being manufactured and before being sealed in a case. This visual inspection is generally performed by checking whether the eye lens is scratched or missing, or whether a mark for identifying the lens type is correctly attached. Or by electrical signal processing.

  By the way, since such an appearance inspection is performed in the final step of manufacturing an ophthalmic lens and immediately before the ophthalmic lens is sealed in a product case together with a storage solution, adhesion of foreign matters and bacteria is suppressed to the utmost limit. Therefore, it is required to prevent foreign matters and germs from entering the product case.

  On the other hand, an ophthalmic lens made of a water-containing material, such as a water-containing soft contact lens, has conventionally been provided with a suitable container (cell) in order to stabilize the shape and facilitate the inspection and to prevent the lens itself from drying. ) Is filled with a processing solution such as a preservative solution, and a contact lens to be inspected is immersed therein and inspected sequentially.

  However, such a conventional inspection method cannot completely prevent invading bacteria even if it is performed in a clean room. In addition, when the contact lens to which the various bacteria are attached is inspected, the attached bacteria remain in the treatment liquid in the cell, so that the contact lens to be subsequently inspected may be contaminated. In particular, in the case of a lens made of a water-containing material, bacterial contamination tends to be a serious problem.

  Such a problem can be solved by exchanging the treatment liquid in the cell every time a single contact lens is inspected, but such a complicated operation is never practical. In addition, if the liquid level of the treatment liquid in the cell is not in a calm state, it becomes difficult to observe the external appearance of the immersed lens from the outside. Therefore, it is necessary to wait until it calms down, and it is necessary to carry out the inspection. Not only is it time-consuming, but it takes a lot of time, and it cannot be adopted at the industrial site.

  In addition, it may be possible to replace the treatment liquid in the cell every time several tens of contact lenses are inspected, but this makes the work very troublesome and the inspection efficiency is poor, and the handling of various germs is complete. It is difficult to say.

  Therefore, conventionally, bactericides and disinfectants such as those described in JP-A-9-010288 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-5-317388 (Patent Document 2) are used or boiled. Therefore, it was necessary to sterilize the lens after the inspection.

  However, when a disinfectant or the like is used, a step for removing the disinfectant is required after that, and there is a problem that the operation becomes more complicated. Even when boiling is performed, special equipment and processing time are required, and a significant increase in the number of steps and complication of work are inevitable. In addition, depending on the lens material and the like, the disinfectant and boiling may adversely affect the material, so that the use of the disinfectant and boiling conditions are limited, and effective disinfection treatment may be difficult.

JP-A-9-010288 JP-A-5-317388

  Here, the present invention has been made in the background of the circumstances as described above, and the problem to be solved is to perform an appearance inspection in the immersion state of the water-containing ophthalmic lens material. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel inspection apparatus and inspection method for a hydrous ophthalmic lens that can be efficiently performed with good accuracy.

  Hereinafter, the aspect of this invention made | formed in order to solve such a subject is described. In addition, the component employ | adopted in each aspect as described below is employable by arbitrary combinations as much as possible. Further, aspects or technical features of the present invention are not limited to those described below, but are described in the entire specification and drawings, or an invention that can be understood by those skilled in the art from those descriptions. It should be understood that it is recognized based on thought.

(Aspect 1 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus)
The aspect of the first aspect of the present invention relating to the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device is characterized by (a) having a cup shape and containing the water-containing eye lens to be immersed in a test solution. (B) container support means for supporting the test container and positioning the bottom surface in the test container substantially horizontally, and (c) the test container supported by the container support means from above the test container. An optical imaging means capable of observing the eye lens accommodated in the examination container; and (d) a pipe that is inserted into the examination container from the outside, and the discharge port at the tip is directed to the bottom surface in the examination container. And (e) a liquid supply means for continuously supplying the test liquid into the test container through the test liquid supply pipe, and (f) the test. The outer wall of the test container is provided outside the container. And drainage means for discharging collect the test fluid spill out flowing, comprise in the inspection apparatus of the water-absorptive ocular lens configured.

  In the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus having the structure according to this aspect, the test liquid is discharged toward the bottom surface of the test container through the test liquid supply pipe and flows over the peripheral wall of the test container. As a result, the flow of the test liquid in the test container is efficiently spread substantially uniformly throughout.

  As a result, substantially the entire test liquid in the test container is efficiently replaced, and the test liquid replacement efficiency is improved particularly at the bottom of the container where the liquid tends to stay. Therefore, the bacteria and the test solution used in the test container are prevented from staying, the growth of the bacteria is suppressed, and the cleanliness of the test lens and the ophthalmic lens accommodated therein is advantageously maintained.

  In addition, since the inspection liquid supplied to the inspection container is efficiently spread over the entire bottom surface of the inspection container, the flow rate of the inspection liquid in the inspection container is prevented from locally increasing. Thereby, the ophthalmic lens can be stably positioned in the inspection container in a state where the ophthalmic lens is immersed in the inspection liquid. Therefore, the appearance inspection of the lens can be performed accurately and easily.

  In this aspect, the optical imaging means may be any means as long as it can confirm the shape of the lens for the eye to be examined with the accuracy required for the appearance inspection of the lens for the eye to be examined. It may be an optical magnifying glass, an electronic imaging device using a CCD, an image display monitor, or the like. In addition, an automatic imaging device including an imaging device and an arithmetic processing device that inspects without requiring visual confirmation may be used. The liquid supply means includes, for example, a storage tank that stores a predetermined amount of test liquid, and a flow rate adjusting means such as a flow rate control valve that adjusts the flow rate of liquid supplied from the storage tank to the test container. It is desirable. Further, if necessary, an opening / closing valve is also provided on the supply path of the test liquid to the test container including the test liquid supply pipe, thereby facilitating maintenance of the apparatus.

(Aspect 2 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus)
A feature of aspect 2 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device is that, in the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device according to aspect 1, the translucent bottom wall is used as the inspection container. A light source for inspection is disposed below the inspection container, and the inspection light emitted from the inspection light source passes through the bottom wall and is received in the inspection container. This is because it can be projected onto an optometry lens.

  In this aspect, it is possible to visually recognize the appearance of the ophthalmic lens more clearly by using the inspection light emitted from the inspection light source. In addition, it is desirable that a filter, a slit, or the like can be provided between the inspection light source and the inspection container as necessary.

(Aspect 3 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus)
A feature of aspect 3 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus is that, in the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus according to aspect 1 or 2 of the present invention, the peripheral wall of the inspection container is arranged around the entire circumference. The test solution is formed at a substantially constant height so that the test solution is allowed to flow over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall of the test container.

  In this embodiment, since the test liquid is allowed to overflow substantially uniformly over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall of the test container, the uniformity of the flow of the test liquid is further advantageously ensured. Thereby, the calm state of the surface (liquid level) of the inspection liquid in the inspection container is maintained well, and the appearance inspection of the lens through the inspection liquid is performed with higher accuracy.

(Aspect 4 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus)
A feature of aspect 4 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus is that, in the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, the liquid supply means includes: The flow rate can be adjusted so that the test liquid is supplied to the test container at a flow rate that replaces substantially the entire amount of the test liquid stored in the test container over 15 to 30 minutes.

  In this embodiment, the lens inspection accuracy can be further improved, and the hygiene management against germs can be further improved. If the replacement of the substantial amount of the test liquid in the test container is less than 15 minutes, the flow of the test liquid becomes too large considering the capacity for immersion of the ophthalmic lens, and the liquid in the test container or the liquid It may be difficult to maintain a stable state of the surface stably, which may adversely affect inspection accuracy. In addition, if the supply time of the test liquid to the test container is longer than 30 minutes, the bacteria attached to the lens and the container may grow and adhere to the ophthalmic lens after the test.

(Aspect 5 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus)
A feature of the fifth aspect of the present invention relating to the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device is that, in the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the liquid volume of the test container 10 to 30 cc.

  In this embodiment, the lens inspection can be performed more easily, and the cost associated with the inspection is reduced. If the liquid capacity of the cuvette is smaller than 10 cc, it is difficult to stably realize the immersion state of the ophthalmic lens. On the other hand, if the liquid volume of the cuvette is larger than 30 cc, the flow rate of the liquid to be replaced increases, and the observation tends to be adversely affected by the flow of the liquid, and the liquid tends to be wasted.

(Aspect 6 of the present invention relating to a water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus)
A feature of the aspect 6 of the present invention relating to the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus is that the cleaning liquid continuously flows down in the water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection apparatus according to any one of the aspects 1 to 5 of the present invention. Thus, a cleaning device for cleaning the eye lens taken out from the inspection container with the cleaning liquid is provided.

  In this embodiment, the reliability of avoiding adhesion of germs and fine particles can be further improved by washing with running water after the inspection. In the unlikely event that a contaminated eye lens is mistakenly mixed into the inspection line, and this test lens is immersed in the inspection container, the inspection liquid in the inspection container is temporarily contaminated. However, the effect of suppressing the occurrence of defects can be expected by washing the lens for the eye to be examined with running water after the examination.

(Aspect 1 of the present invention relating to a method for inspecting a hydrous ophthalmic lens)
A feature of aspect 1 of the present invention relating to a method for inspecting a water-containing ophthalmic lens is a method for inspecting a water-containing ophthalmic lens in which a number of water-containing eye lenses to be examined are visually inspected in a continuously swollen state. A test container having a cup shape is used, and a predetermined test liquid is supplied to the bottom surface of the test container through the test liquid supply pipe that is piped into the test container. The multiple ophthalmic lenses are sequentially immersed in the inspection container one by one while allowing the outer periphery of the inspection container to flow over and discharged from the outside. There is an inspection method for a hydrous ophthalmic lens to be inspected.

  According to such a method of the present invention, the test liquid is supplied toward the bottom surface of the test container through the test liquid supply pipe, and is discharged from the bottom of the test container by allowing the peripheral wall of the test container to flow and be discharged. It is possible to perform flow replacement of the test solution efficiently and stably throughout. As a result, various germs and foreign particles can be made difficult to stay in the container, the proliferation of germs in the test container is suppressed, and the cleanliness of the ophthalmic lens is suitably maintained.

  In addition, since the flow of the liquid in the container is efficiently spread over the entire area, the portion of the inspection container where the flow rate of the inspection liquid is locally large is eliminated, and the lens immersed in the inspection liquid is inspected. It can be positioned stably in the container. Further, the liquid level of the test liquid stored in the test container is also prevented. As a result, the appearance of the lens can be inspected and determined stably with high accuracy.

(Aspect 2 of the present invention relating to a method for inspecting a hydrous ophthalmic lens)
A feature of the aspect 2 of the present invention relating to the method for inspecting a hydrous ophthalmic lens is that, in the method for inspecting a hydrous ophthalmic lens according to the aspect 1 of the present invention, the inspection liquid in the inspection container is 15 The purpose is to adjust the flow rate of the test solution supplied into the test container so that substantially all of it is replaced over 30 minutes.

  In this aspect, the surface of the test solution is preferably kept calm, and the inspection accuracy of the lens is further improved. In addition, the test solution is sufficiently effectively replaced, so that Bactericidal action is more advantageously exhibited. Further, the amount of the test solution used for the test can be suppressed, and the cost can be reduced.

(The present invention relating to a method for producing a hydrous ophthalmic lens product)
The feature of the present invention relating to a method for producing a hydrous ophthalmic lens product is that the hydrous ophthalmic lens is continuously formed while the appearance of the hydrous ophthalmic lens is inspected in a swollen state before the product case. When the hydrous ophthalmic lens product in which the hydrous ophthalmic lens is encapsulated in a substantially aseptic state by being housed and sealed is continuously produced, the appearance inspection in the swollen state is performed as described above. After carrying out according to the aspect 1 or 2 of the present invention relating to the method for inspecting an ophthalmic lens, a storage solution is injected into the separately prepared accommodation recess of the product case, and the accommodation recess of the product case is A hydrous ophthalmic lens is accommodated, and then a lid is fixed to the product case to seal the accommodating recess.

  According to such a method of the present invention, a plurality of hydrous ophthalmic lenses that are continuously formed can be continuously inspected and sealed in a housing case while advantageously maintaining sterility. It is possible to advantageously manufacture a hydrous ophthalmic lens product sealed in a sterile and foreign substance-free state with high reliability.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the inspection apparatus and inspection method of the present invention, the appearance inspection of the swollen ophthalmic lens can be accurately and easily performed. In addition, according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, a large number of ophthalmic lenses can be continuously and efficiently inspected and sealed in a product case in a sterile state. It is possible to manufacture industrially advantageous and highly reliable up to a state where the product can be shipped in a case (water-containing ophthalmic lens product).

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, embodiments of the present invention will be described. First, FIG. 1 shows a soft contact lens inspection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a model diagram showing the inspection apparatus 10 in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition to the inspection area 12, the inspection apparatus 10 includes a carry-in area 14 for carrying a soft contact lens to be inspected into the inspection area 12, and a carry-out area for carrying out the soft contact lens after the inspection from the inspection area 12. Region 16 is provided. In addition, at least the installation location of the inspection area 12 can maintain a particularly high cleanliness even in the clean room 18 managed at a predetermined cleanliness level.

  Then, in a series of lens manufacturing processes that are sealed and accommodated in a lens case 22 as a product case through the inspection process from the formation of the soft contact lens 20 and made into an ophthalmic lens product, a separate lens is formed by polymerization or cutting of the lens material. The soft contact lens 20 formed in the forming process is conveyed in a state accommodated in the pallet 24 and stocked in the carry-in area 14 of the inspection apparatus 10, so that the soft contact lens 20 is carried into the inspection area 12. . In the inspection area 12, the appearance of the soft contact lens 20 carried in is inspected, and then in the carry-out area 16, the soft contact lens 20 is accommodated in the lens case 22 and is transferred into the clean room 18 by the transfer device 26 including a conveyor or the like. The soft contact lens 20 is transported to a sealing region for sealing and sealing the lens case 22 in the lens case 22. In addition, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, the members and parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 are sometimes drawn with exaggerated sizes and shapes as necessary. The invention is not limited. In the following description, the up and down direction and the left and right direction refer to the up and down direction (vertical direction) and the left and right direction (horizontal direction) in FIG. 1 in principle.

  More specifically, the inspection apparatus 10 includes a large table-like base 28 installed in the inspection region 12. A carry-in area 14 is provided on the left side of the base 28, and a small table-like pallet place 30 is provided in the carry-in area 14, and a plurality of pallets 24 are placed on the pallet place 30 to prepare for inspection. It is like that. As shown in FIG. 3 in an enlarged manner, the pallet 24 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape and accommodates a hydrous soft contact lens 20 to be inspected as a lens for an eye to be examined. ing. The soft contact lens 20 is processed to the final shape in the previous process according to a known method such as a spin casting method, a molding method, or a cutting method, and the pallet 24 accommodates the soft contact lens 20 to be a lens. It is transported from the formation process execution area to the inspection process execution area shown in FIG. It is desirable that the pallet 24 is transported in a sealed state in a bat that accommodates several or more pieces as needed.

  Note that the pallet 24 is advantageously formed using a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene, polyacetal, polyamide, or the like in consideration of heat resistance, environmental characteristics, ease of manufacture, and the like. The soft contact lens 20 is applicable to various known materials including those made of, for example, HEMA (hydroxyethyl methacrylate), and is generally referred to as a hydrous contact lens and has a water content of 10% by weight or more. It is not necessarily limited to.

  Further, the pallet 24 stores a storage solution 32, and the soft contact lens 20 is stored in the storage solution 32 in an immersed state. The soft contact lens 20 is preferably immersed in purified water after production in a dry state before being accommodated in the pallet 24, and is heated and gradually cooled to around 100 ° C. as necessary for rapid swelling. Thereafter, the impregnating liquid into the soft contact lens 20 is replaced with the preserving liquid 32 from the purified water by being immersed in the preserving liquid 32. Further, as the preservation solution 32, the osmotic pressure is adjusted to the level of tears together with the later-described test solution, the washing solution, and the preservation solution enclosed in the final product. The liquid is appropriately used and is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, for example, Menisoke (trademark) manufactured by Menicon Co., Ltd. is suitably used for any of the preservation solution 32, the inspection solution, the washing solution, and the preservation solution enclosed in the final product. Different liquids may be employed as the storage liquid 32, the inspection liquid, the cleaning liquid, and the storage liquid sealed in the final product.

  Further, identification information display means 34 is attached to the bottom of the pallet 24. As this identification information display means 34, for example, an identification code such as a barcode or a storage means using a semiconductor is adopted. For example, identification information of the soft contact lens 20 is written and the information is appropriately displayed. It can be used.

  In this way, the soft contact lens 20 accommodated in the pallet 24 placed on the pallet storage place 30 in the carry-in area 14 and immersed in the preservation solution 32 to be in a swollen state stands in a space on the near side of the base 28. The operator picks it with tweezers, for example, and removes it from the pallet 24. Then, the soft contact lens 20 is subjected to an inspection process on the base 28 of the inspection apparatus 10.

  In the inspection apparatus 10, an optical microscope 36 is installed at a position slightly closer to the center on the base 28. The optical microscope 36 as the optical image detecting means includes a pair of left and right eyepieces protruding upward and an objective lens directed downward. By operating the operation handle 38, the optical microscope 36 on the pedestal 40 is inspected. The object can be enlarged and visually observed.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the pedestal 40 has a hollow rectangular box shape, and a through hole 42 is formed in the center of the upper wall. It is fixed in the mounted state. An inspection stand 44 as a container support means is placed on the center of the upper surface of the pedestal 40. The inspection platform 44 has an annular shape at the portion placed on the pedestal 40, and is formed with a circumferential groove 46 that opens to the upper surface and extends continuously over the entire circumference. Further, a step-like annular support surface 48 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inspection gantry 44 so as to expand radially inward. Further, a cylindrical positioning tube portion 50 extending downward is integrally formed at the inner peripheral edge portion of the inspection mount 44.

  The inspection gantry 44 is placed substantially at the center of the upper surface of the pedestal 40 in a state in which the positioning cylinder portion 50 is inserted into the through hole 42 of the pedestal 40 and fitted therein. That is, the inspection gantry 44 is positioned on a horizontal plane by fitting the positioning cylinder portion 50 into the through hole 42, and is assembled to the pedestal 40 with the annular support surface 48 extending substantially horizontally.

  In addition, an appropriate light source 52 such as a light bulb, an LED, or a lamp is provided in the hollow interior of the base 40. The light emitted from the light source 52 enters the hollow hole 54 of the positioning cylinder portion 50 of the inspection mount 44 from the lower opening. In the positioning cylinder portion 50 of the inspection gantry 44, a light projection adjusting means 56 such as a filter, a slit, or a mask can be mounted as necessary. That is, by mounting the light projection adjusting means 56, the light from the light source 52 is irradiated upward in the hollow hole 54 of the positioning cylinder portion 50 through a filter or the like.

  An optical cell 58 as an inspection container is supported by the inspection platform 44 having such a structure. The optical cell 58 is a container having a shallow bottomed cylindrical shape. The bottom surface of the optical cell 58 is a flat surface with high accuracy, and the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall is also a cylindrical surface with high accuracy. Further, the bottom wall 60 of the optical cell 58 has sufficient light transmittance for performing the inspection. Preferably, as the optical cell 58, an optical petri dish formed of quartz glass or the like is employed.

  The optical cell 58 is assembled by being fitted from above into the inspection platform 44 assembled to the pedestal 40. That is, the bottom wall 60 of the optical cell 58 is superposed on the annular support surface 48 of the inspection platform 44 and held in a horizontal state. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 62 of the optical cell 58 is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the inspection mount 44 and is supported in a positioning state in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

  Then, as described above, the soft contact lens 20 that has been picked up by tweezers or the like by the inspector who is the operator and taken out of the pallet 24 and moved from the carry-in area 14 to the inspection area 12 is placed in the optical cell 58. When turned on, the light from the light source 52 passes through the bottom wall 60 of the optical cell 58 and is applied to the soft contact lens 20. Under this condition, the examiner can visually inspect the appearance of the soft contact lens 20 using the optical microscope 36.

  Here, the test liquid 64 is accommodated in the optical cell 58, and the soft contact lens 20 is immersed and held in a swollen state. Moreover, the inspection liquid 64 is continuously supplied into the optical cell 58, and is continuously replaced at all times.

  That is, a storage tank 66 is placed on the left side of the base 28, and a predetermined amount of the test solution 64 is stored in a sterile state in the storage tank 66. The nozzle portion 70 at the tip of the liquid supply pipe 68 extending from the storage tank 66 is inserted into the optical cell 58 and is opened toward the bottom wall 60 near the outer periphery of the optical cell 58. Yes. That is, the discharge port of the tip nozzle unit 70 is positioned at least on the bottom side from the center in the depth direction of the optical cell 58. Further, the tip nozzle portion 70 linearly extends vertically downward at a predetermined length, and the opening at the tip thereof is sufficiently close to the flat upper surface of the bottom wall 60 of the optical cell 58, Opposite positions are slightly spaced apart in the vertical direction.

  In addition, an electric pump or the like is attached to the nozzle portion 70 at the tip of the liquid supply pipe 68 in the storage tank 66 as necessary, and the liquid tank 68 is supplied from the storage tank 66 to the liquid supply pipe 68 with an appropriate hydraulic pressure. Then, the inspection liquid 64 is supplied. Further, a flow rate adjusting device 72 is provided in the middle of the liquid supply pipeline 68 from the storage tank 66 to the nozzle unit 70. The flow rate adjusting device 72 is advantageously realized by using a known tube pump described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-49657. Specifically, for example, a fixed liquid feed pump (Microtube Pump (trademark)) manufactured by Tokyo Rika Kikai Co., Ltd. is employed. And the flow rate of the test liquid 64 discharged from the nozzle part 70 through the liquid supply pipe 68 can be adjusted by adjusting the deformation cycle, the diameter, etc. of the elastic tube in the tube pump by the operation of the operation part. .

  In particular, by adopting such a tube pump, it is possible to adjust different flow rates by providing a constriction on the flow path like a needle valve, and problems such as contamination of fine particles due to wear of the constriction and adhesion of bacteria to the constriction Can be advantageously avoided. However, the flow rate adjustment device 72 is not limited to this, and includes, for example, a needle valve as a flow rate adjustment valve and an operation unit for operating the needle valve. The flow rate of the test solution 64 may be adjusted by adjusting the opening degree. As is clear from this, the liquid supply means according to the present embodiment includes the storage tank 66, the flow rate adjusting device 72, and other electric pumps.

  Further, the peripheral wall 62 of the optical cell 58 has a substantially constant height over the entire circumference. As a result, the upper end surface of the peripheral wall 62 is held substantially horizontally over the entire circumference in a state where it is assembled to the inspection platform 44 as described above. Further, a seal ring 74 is incorporated and sealed between the outer peripheral surface of the optical cell 58 and the inner peripheral surface of the inspection mount 44.

  As a result, when the inspection liquid 64 is continuously supplied to the optical cell 58 through the above-described liquid supply pipe 68 and flows over the peripheral wall 62 of the optical cell 58, the inspection liquid 64 overflows outside the optical cell 58. It flows into the circumferential groove 46 of the gantry 44. The peripheral groove 46 is formed with a drain hole 76 extending through the bottom wall portion at an appropriate portion on the periphery, and the liquid flowing into the peripheral groove 46 passes through the drain hole 76 to the outside. It is discharged quickly through the exhaust pipe 78 connected to the. The front end opening of the drain pipe 78 is inserted into the drain tank 80, and the liquid discharged through the drain pipe 78 is collected in the drain tank 80. As is clear from this, the drainage means according to the present embodiment includes the peripheral groove 46, the drainage hole 76, the drainage pipe 78, and the drainage tank 80 of the inspection gantry 44.

  A large cup-shaped cleaning container 82 that opens upward is placed on the right side of the base 28. A cleaning nozzle 84 is opened at the opening of the cleaning container 82, and the cleaning liquid 64 guided from the storage tank 66 through the cleaning liquid conduit 86 is continuously supplied from the cleaning nozzle 84 into the cleaning container 82. It is discharged and free flowing down. As a result, the soft contact lens 20 can be cleaned in the shower state by the cleaning liquid 64 discharged from the cleaning nozzle 84 in the cleaning container 82.

  A flow rate adjusting device 72 is also installed on the cleaning liquid conduit 86. By operating the flow rate adjusting device 72, the cleaning liquid 64 discharged from the cleaning nozzle 84 is stopped or the discharge amount is adjusted. It can be done. The cleaning liquid 64 discharged into the cleaning container 82 is discharged appropriately or continuously and discarded.

  That is, in the inspection region 12 as described above, the soft contact lens 20 is introduced into the optical cell 58 by the examiner and immersed in the inspection solution 64, so that the appearance of the soft contact lens 20 is swollen. The optical microscope 36 can be inspected. In this case, the optical cell 58 is continuously supplied with the test liquid 64 at a substantially constant flow rate, so that a continuous liquid replacement state is established. In particular, in the manufacturing process of the soft contact lens 20, such an appearance inspection is continuously performed for a large number of soft contact lenses 20. The soft contact lens 20 is immersed in the optical cell 58. The inspection liquid 64 is continuously supplied not only in the inspected state but also in the empty optical cell 58 from when the soft contact lens 20 is taken out from the optical cell 58 until the next soft contact lens 20 is put into the optical cell 58. Has been replaced.

  Here, the nozzle portion 70 of the liquid supply pipe 68 for supplying the inspection liquid 64 to the optical cell 58 is opened toward the bottom wall 60 of the optical cell 58, and the inspection liquid 64 is discharged toward the bottom surface. Thus, the discharged inspection liquid 64 is not directly applied to the soft contact lens 20 immersed in the approximate center of the optical cell 58. The inspection liquid 64 once strikes the bottom surface of the optical cell 58 and spreads along the bottom surface. Therefore, the inspection liquid 64 supplied into the optical cell 58 spreads over a wide range in the optical cell 58, and the flow velocity is totally suppressed, and a new inspection liquid is added throughout the optical cell 58. Is effectively replaced with 64. In particular, since the inspection liquid 64 overflowing from the optical cell 58 flows over the entire circumference of the peripheral wall 62 of the optical cell 58, the flow of the inspection liquid in the optical cell 58 is made uniform and the stay is prevented. It can be advantageously realized.

  Therefore, the soft contact lens 20 is placed in a stable flow in the optical cell 58, and the software using the optical microscope 36 is used in a situation where the liquid surface of the test liquid 64 is suppressed. The appearance inspection of the contact lens 20 can be performed stably.

  In addition, since the flow of the inspection liquid 64 in the optical cell 58 is continuously performed until the soft contact lens 20 is replaced, the inspection liquid 64 in the optical cell 58 can be efficiently replaced with a small flow rate. It becomes. Therefore, it is possible to prevent bacteria and fine particles from staying in the optical cell 58 and effectively avoid contamination due to bacterial growth while maintaining a quiet liquid surface and the stationary state of the soft contact lens 20. It becomes.

  In order to suppress the growth of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus in the optical cell 58, the entire amount of the test solution 64 in the optical cell 58 is replaced within the average generation time of these bacteria. As described above, it is desirable to adjust the discharge position, the discharge flow rate, and the like of the test liquid 64 discharged from the nozzle portion 70 of the liquid supply pipe 68 in consideration of the capacity and shape of the optical cell 58. The generation time is the time from when an individual such as a microorganism starts its generation until the next generation is generated, and depends on environmental conditions such as temperature. It is desirable to adjust so that the entire amount of the test solution 64 in the optical cell 58 is substantially replaced within 30 minutes in consideration of environmental conditions. On the other hand, in order to allow the soft contact lens 20 to stand still in the optical cell 58 and to suppress the undulation of the liquid surface and to obtain an inspection environment advantageously, the inspection liquid 64 in the optical cell 58 is taken over 15 minutes. It is desirable to adjust so that the entire amount is replaced.

  Specifically, in order to prevent the staying of the inspection liquid 64, the optical cell 58 is preferably a bottomed cylindrical shape as illustrated, and its capacity is preferably 10 to 30 cc. By using the optical cell 58 having such a size and shape, if the nozzle portion 70 of the liquid supply pipe 68 is set at an appropriate position, the flow rate is 0.02 to 1.0 cc / second within 30 minutes. It was confirmed that the total amount in the cell could be substantially replaced.

  Then, after the appearance inspection is performed in the optical cell 58 in this way, the soft contact lens 20 is picked by the examiner with tweezers or the like and taken out from the optical cell 58. Subsequently, while being picked with tweezers or the like, it is transported to the cleaning container 82 and rinsed with the cleaning liquid 64 flowing out from the cleaning nozzle 84 in the cleaning container 82, thereby performing a cleaning process. By this washing, even if bacteria remain in the optical cell 58, bacterial contamination can be completely avoided by washing away the test solution 64 adhering to the soft contact lens 20.

  In the cleaning container 82, the cleaning liquid 64 may always flow out from the cleaning nozzle 84, or may flow out only during cleaning. However, such a rinsing step is not necessarily required in the present invention. Further, as is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the cleaning device is configured to include the cleaning container 82, the cleaning nozzle 84, and the cleaning liquid conduit 86.

  The soft contact lens 20 inspected in this way is carried to the carry-out area 16 provided on the right side of the base 28 and is accommodated in the lens case 22 in the carry-out area 16.

  That is, the carry-out area 16 is provided with a middle table-like case storage 88 connected to the right back of the base 28, and a case insertion part 90 is provided in the back of the case storage 88. Many of the manufactured lens cases 22 are placed on the case insertion portion 90, and some of the lens cases 22 are guided and placed on the case storage 88.

  The lens case 22 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material in which the accommodating portion 92 and the lid portion 94 are integrally connected by a foldable hinge portion 96 as shown in enlarged views in FIGS. It has a structure. In particular, in the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 92 and the lid portion 94 have a corresponding substantially rectangular cup shape, and the accommodating portion 92 is separated from the inside of the outer peripheral wall of the rectangular frame shape and has a circular frame shape. The inner peripheral wall is integrally formed with a double peripheral wall structure. And in the accommodating part 92, the preservation | save liquid 98 can be inject | poured into the inner area | region enclosed by the inner peripheral wall of the circular frame body shape, and the soft contact lens 20 can be accommodated in an immersion state.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case cleaning unit 100 and the storage liquid injection unit 102 are provided at the right end portion of the base 28, and the lens case 22 prepared in the case storage 88 is sequentially connected to the case cleaning unit 100. It is guided to the front through the storage liquid injection part 102.

  In the case cleaning unit 100, a lens case 22 that has been cleaned with purified water in advance is arranged, and an air discharge line 103 that discharges clean air and fine particles such as germs, dead sterilization, and foreign matters are negatively pressured. A recovery conduit 104 for sucking air is piped and opened. Fine air adhering to the lens case 22 is removed by blowing clean air from the air discharge pipe 103 onto the lens case 22. Further, the fine particles scattered by the discharge of the clean air are sucked and collected by the collection pipe 104, thereby preventing the fine particles from reattaching to the lens case 22 and scattering over a wide range.

  On the other hand, a storage liquid pipe 106 for discharging the storage liquid is piped and opened in the storage liquid injection section 102. Then, the storage liquid 98 is supplied from the storage liquid conduit 106 to the lens case 22 cleaned by the case cleaning section 100 and injected into the storage section 92.

  Then, after the storage solution 98 is injected into the lens case 22 and the soft contact lens 20 is immersed, the lens case 22 is sent to the sealing region by the transport device 26. In this sealing region, for example, using a well-known heat seal device, a separately prepared aluminum sheet is superposed on the housing portion 92 of the lens case 22 and heated to place the aluminum sheet on the upper end surface of the opening portion of the housing portion 92. On the other hand, heat welding is performed over the entire circumference.

  Thereby, the accommodating part 92 which accommodated the soft contact lens 20 in the immersion state is sealed with respect to external space. Thereby, the target lens product in which the soft contact lens 20 is housed in the lens case 22 in a swollen state can be obtained.

  In the inspection apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the carry-out area 16 is provided in the same clean room 18 as the inspection area 12, and the soft contact lens 20 that has been inspected while maintaining sterility is washed immediately before. It can be accommodated in the lens case 22 filled with a preservative solution. Therefore, the soft contact lens 20 that has undergone the inspection process can be sealed in the lens case 22 in a sterilized state or a state close thereto and quickly sealed.

  When the soft contact lens 20 placed in the lens case 22 is unloaded from the unloading area 16, the soft contact lens 20 housed in the lens case 22 is housed as shown in FIG. It is desirable to handle the pallet 24 as a set using the transport tray 108 or the like. Thereby, the identification information regarding the soft contact lens 20 accommodated in the lens case 22 can be obtained using the identification information display means 34 in the pallet 24 even after that.

  Further, in the inspection apparatus 10 as described above, at the initial stage when the inspection is started, the switch 110 provided for stopping or starting the continuous inspection is operated to be in the operating state. That is, by operating the switch 110 to bring the inspection device 10 into an activated state, the electric pump for feeding the inspection liquid 64, the flow rate adjusting device 72, and the like are activated. By this operation, the inspection liquid 64 in the storage tank 66 is continuously supplied to the optical cell 58 through the liquid supply line 68 by a substantially constant amount, and continuous inspection of the plurality of soft contact lenses 20 is started. Will be.

  The clean room 18 in which the inspection apparatus 10 is installed is provided with a clean booth 112 that is isolated from the external space and is managed at a higher level of cleanliness. In the clean room 18, airborne microparticles and airborne microorganisms are managed below a limited cleanliness level, and environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and pressure are also managed as necessary. Further, in the inspection apparatus 10, the entire region of the processing path of the soft contact lens 20 from the carry-in region 14 through the inspection region 12 to the sealing region is in the clean booth 112 having a higher cleanliness even in the clean room 18. . As a result, the cleanliness of the inspection device 10 and the cleanness of the soft contact lens 20 to be inspected are suitably maintained.

  Moreover, the inspection apparatus 10 includes a controller 114 configured using a general computer system. Then, based on the sequence control of the controller 114 based on the detection signals of various sensors provided in the inspection area 12, the carry-in area 14, the carry-out area 16, etc., the electric pump, the flow rate adjusting device 72, etc. are driven and controlled, Operation is advantageously realized.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to a specific description in the embodiment, and is based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The present invention can be implemented with various changes, modifications, improvements, and the like, and any such embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in the optical cell 58 of the above-described embodiment, the peripheral wall 62 is formed at a substantially constant height over the entire circumference. For example, a low overflow portion is formed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction at the upper end portion of the peripheral wall 62. And you may make it the test | inspection liquid 64 overflow and be discharged | emitted from those overflow parts.

  Furthermore, although the optical cell 58 of the above embodiment has been provided with a light-transmitting bottom wall, it is not limited to this, and an optical test that can observe the appearance of the soft contact lens 20 is not necessary. Depending on the form of the image means or the like, a device having a non-translucent bottom wall may be employed. Further, the shape of the optical cell 58 is not particularly limited.

  Using the soft contact lens inspection apparatus 10 shown in the embodiment, (1) the effect of maintaining the cleanliness of the inspection liquid 64 in the optical cell 58, and (2) the soft contact lens immersed in the inspection liquid 64 In addition to confirming the antibacterial effect of 20 and (3) the effect of removing fine particles adhering to the lens 20, (4) the following tests were conducted to examine the visual inspection of the soft contact lens 20. It is described as an example.

(About the effect of maintaining the cleanliness of the test liquid in the optical cell)
An optical cell 58 having a liquid volume of 25 cc is prepared. The inspection liquid 64 (menisoke) is supplied to the optical cell 58 through the liquid supply pipe 68, and the inspection liquid 64 is discharged from the circumferential groove 46 by flowing over the peripheral wall 62 of the optical cell 58 over the entire circumference. The liquid is discharged into the drainage tank 80 through the hole 76 and the drain pipe 78. Further, the flow rate (supply amount) of the inspection liquid 64 supplied to the optical cell 58 through the liquid supply pipe 68 is set to 0.03 ml / sec. In this embodiment, the reason why the optical cell 58 having a liquid volume of 25 cc is used is that the lens 20 is sufficiently stably immersed in the inspection liquid 64 in consideration of the size of a general soft contact lens 20. This is because one mode of the liquid capacity of the optical cell 58 to be made is 25 cc.

  Also prepared is a bacterial solution in which the concentration of Gram-positive cocci (Micrococcus) as bioburdens separated by the soft line is adjusted to 1000 cfu / ml. Then, 0.45 ml of the bacterial solution is placed in the aforementioned test solution 64 at intervals of 30 minutes, and after the continuous supply of the test solution 64 to the optical cell 58 and the replacement by the overflow of the peripheral wall 62, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 When the time and 12 hours passed, the test solution 64 was collected, and the bacteria that survived in the test solution 64 were measured. For this measurement, a so-called two-plate method was employed in which 500 μl of the test solution 64 collected every time was collected in a cell and mixed with 15 to 20 ml of R2A agar medium to form a plate. The culture was carried out at 25 ° C. for 7 days or longer, and the viable cell count was expressed as an average value of two flat plates.

  As a result, it was confirmed that in any of the test solutions 64 that passed 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, and 12 hours, the number of viable bacteria was not recognized at all in this example. Also from such a result, in the inspection apparatus 10 configured according to the present embodiment, the inspection liquid 64 is supplied from the bottom wall 60 of the optical cell 58 and discharged over the entire circumference of the optical cell 58. Thus, it is clear that the sterilization effect of the test liquid 64 in the optical cell 58 is maintained at a high level.

(About disinfection effect of soft contact lens)
The soft contact lens 20 that has been sterilized in advance is immersed in a bacterial solution in which the concentration of gram positive cocci is adjusted to 10 ⁵ cfu / ml for 5 minutes, and 1000 cfu of bacteria adhere to each soft contact lens 20. . In this way, 20 soft contact lenses 20 to which bacteria are attached are prepared.

  The prepared 20 soft contact lenses 20 are divided into 4 groups each including 5 sheets, and the test liquid 64 having different flow rates of 2 ml, 4 ml, 8 ml, and 10 ml for each group through the cleaning liquid pipe 86 of the inspection apparatus 10. A washing treatment was applied. Then, the soft contact lens 20 for each group was housed in a sterilized vial, and the survival rate of the bacteria attached to each soft contact lens 20 was measured. The results are shown in Table 1. The culture conditions and the like for the measurement are the same as in the case of measuring the test solution 64 described above. The number of viable bacteria was expressed as an average value per soft contact lens 20 for each cleaning condition.

  From Table 1, it is confirmed that the survival rate of the viable count is greatly reduced in any soft contact lens 20 that has been washed under different flow rate conditions, particularly in the washing treatment with a flow rate of 4 ml or more. It was confirmed that the survival rate of viable cell count was 10% or less.

  Therefore, in the inspection apparatus 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment, even if bacteria are attached to the soft contact lens 20 at the stage where the soft contact lens 20 is immersed in the inspection liquid 64 of the optical cell 58, the lens It can be seen that the bacteria attached to the soft contact lens 20 can be effectively removed by subjecting 20 to the cleaning treatment with the test solution 64.

(Removal effect of fine particles adhering to soft contact lens)
The soft contact lens 20 that has been thoroughly drained is added to 20 μl of the PSL standard fine particle solution, and 1000 fine particles adhere to each soft contact lens 20. The PSL standard fine particle liquid contains PSL standard fine particles (trademark: Polystyrene latex manufactured by JSR Corporation) having a particle diameter φ = 66.4 μm, and the concentration of the fine particles is adjusted to 6.2 × 10 ⁴ particles / ml. is there. Twenty soft contact lenses 20 having fine particles attached thereto are prepared and stored in a wet state.

  The prepared 20 soft contact lenses 20 are divided into 4 groups each including 5 sheets, and the test liquid 64 having different flow rates of 2 ml, 4 ml, 8 ml, and 10 ml for each group through the cleaning liquid pipe 86 of the inspection apparatus 10. A washing treatment was applied. And the soft contact lens 20 for every group was accommodated in the vial bottle which performed the washing process 5 times with the filtered purified water, and the microparticles | fine-particles adhering to each soft contact lens 20 were measured. In this measurement, the soft contact lens 20 for each group is immersed in 150 ml of filtered and purified water to make a sample solution. The sample solution is subjected to ultrasonic treatment for 5 minutes. The number of fine particles was measured, and the fine particles per sheet in the soft contact lens 20 for each set were calculated.

  As a result of calculating the fine particles described above, it was confirmed that in any soft contact lens 20, the residual rate of the fine particles was 1% or less. Also from such a result, in the inspection apparatus 10 having the structure according to the present embodiment, fine particles are temporarily attached to the soft contact lens 20 at a stage where the soft contact lens 20 is immersed in the inspection liquid 64 of the optical cell 58. Even in this case, it is recognized that the fine particles adhering to the soft contact lens 20 are effectively removed by subjecting the soft contact lens 20 to the cleaning treatment with the test liquid 64.

  Therefore, in the inspection apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, in combination with the above-described sterilization effect based on the cleaning process of the soft contact lens 20, high safety is ensured in the shipment state of the lens product. .

(Visibility in visual inspection of soft contact lenses)
The inspection apparatus 10 having the optical cell 58 having a liquid capacity of 25 cc as described above is prepared, and the inspection liquid 64 is supplied to the optical cell 58 through the liquid supply pipe 68, and the peripheral wall 62 of the optical cell 58 is entirely surrounded. And then discharged from the circumferential groove 46 to the drainage tank 80 through the drainage hole 76 and the drainage pipe 78. The soft contact lens 20 is immersed in the test solution 64 in such a state and placed on the center of the bottom wall 60 of the optical cell 58. Then, the flow rate of the inspection liquid 64 supplied to the optical cell 58 through the liquid supply pipe 68 is set to 0.03 ml / sec, 0.05 ml / sec, and 0.07 ml / sec, and the optical microscope 36 is used. The soft contact lens 20 in the inspection liquid 64 was visually recognized and evaluated for each visibility.

  In the case where the flow rate of the test solution 64 is less than 0.03 ml / sec, the entire amount of the test solution 64 in the optical cell 58 becomes difficult to be exchanged within 30 minutes, which is one characteristic effect of the present invention. Since the effect of suppressing the growth of microorganisms in the soft contact lens 20 is difficult to be exhibited, the visibility has not been confirmed. In addition, when the flow rate of the test liquid 64 is larger than 0.07 ml / sec, the supply amount of the test liquid 64 becomes large and the test liquid 64 tends to be wasted, which is not preferable for industrial use. Have not confirmed.

  As a result of the above evaluation, in all the inspection apparatuses 10 in which the flow rate of the test liquid 64 is 0.03 ml / sec, 0.05 ml / sec, and 0.07 ml / sec, the liquid level of the test liquid 64 is preferable. It was determined that the visibility of the soft contact lens 20 was good. Therefore, in particular, in the inspection apparatus 10 having the structure according to this embodiment in which the flow rate of the inspection liquid 64 is set to 0.03 to 0.07 ml / sec, the remaining of microorganisms and fine particles in the soft contact lens 20 and the inspection liquid 64 is suppressed. It is recognized that the visibility is exhibited well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective explanatory view showing a soft contact lens inspection device as one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory model diagram schematically showing the soft contact lens inspection device in FIG. 1. It is longitudinal cross-sectional explanatory drawing which expands and shows the pallet which comprises a part of test | inspection apparatus of the soft contact lens in FIG. It is longitudinal cross-sectional explanatory drawing which expands and shows the principal part of the test | inspection apparatus of the soft contact lens in FIG. 1 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional explanatory view showing a state in which a lens case constituting a part of the soft contact lens inspection apparatus in FIG. 1 and a pallet in FIG. 3 are supported on a transport tray constituting another part of the inspection apparatus. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to the VV cross section of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is an explanatory plan view showing a transport tray that supports the lens case and the pallet in FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Test | inspection apparatus 12 Test | inspection area | region 14 Carry-in area | region 16 Carry-out area | region 20 Soft contact lens 22 Lens case 36 Optical microscope 44 Inspection mount 58 Optical cell 60 Bottom wall 62 Perimeter wall 64 Inspection liquid 68 Supply liquid line 70 Nozzle part 72 Flow control device 76 Drainage hole 78 Drainage line 80 Drainage tank

Claims (9)

A test container that has a cup shape and can be accommodated in a state in which a water-containing lens for an eye to be examined is immersed in a test solution;
Container support means for supporting the inspection container and positioning the bottom surface in the inspection container substantially horizontally;
Optical imaging means capable of observing the eye lens accommodated in the examination container from above the examination container supported by the container support means;
A test liquid supply pipe that is piped by entering the test container from the outside and having a discharge port at the tip opened toward the bottom surface in the test container;
A liquid supply means for continuously supplying the test liquid into the test container through the test liquid supply pipe by a substantially constant amount;
And a drainage means for collecting and discharging the test liquid which is provided outside the test container and spills over the peripheral wall of the test container. Lens inspection device.   As the inspection container, one having a translucent bottom wall is adopted, and an inspection light source is arranged below the inspection container, and the inspection light emitted from the inspection light source is transmitted through the bottom wall. The water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the device is projected onto the eye lens accommodated in the examination container.   The peripheral wall of the said test container is formed in substantially constant height over the perimeter, The said test liquid was allowed to flow over the perimeter of the peripheral wall of this test container. Inspection device for hydrous ophthalmic lenses.   The flow rate can be adjusted so that the liquid supply means supplies the test liquid to the test container at a flow rate that replaces substantially the entire amount of the test liquid stored in the test container over 15 to 30 minutes. 4. The water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device according to any one of items 1 to 3.   The water-containing ophthalmic lens inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a liquid volume of the inspection container is 10 to 30 cc.   The hydrous ophthalmic lens according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a cleaning device that continuously flows down the cleaning liquid and cleans the lens for the eye to be examined taken out from the inside of the test container with the cleaning liquid. Inspection device. A method for inspecting a water-containing ophthalmic lens for inspecting the appearance of a plurality of water-containing eye lenses to be examined in a continuously swollen state
A test container having a cup shape is used, and a predetermined test liquid is supplied to the bottom surface of the test container through the test liquid supply pipe that has entered and piped into the test container, and the test liquid is supplied to the test container. Immersing the plurality of eye lenses one by one in the inspection container one by one in order while allowing the peripheral wall of the container to flow over and discharging, and visually inspecting the immersed eye lenses from the outside. A method for inspecting a hydrous ophthalmic lens.   The water content according to claim 7, wherein the flow rate of the test liquid supplied into the test container is adjusted so that the test liquid in the test container is substantially entirely replaced over 15 to 30 minutes. Inspection method for ophthalmic lenses. While the water-containing ophthalmic lens is continuously formed, the water-containing ophthalmic lens is substantially in a sterile state by being externally inspected in a swollen state and then sealed in a product case. When continuously producing hydrous ophthalmic lens products enclosed in
After the appearance inspection in the swollen state is performed according to the method for inspecting a hydrous ophthalmic lens according to claim 7 or 8, a preservation solution is injected into a housing recess of the product case prepared separately. A hydrous ophthalmic lens product comprising: housing the hydrous ophthalmic lens in the housing recess of the product case; and then sealing the housing recess by fixing a lid to the product case. Manufacturing method.

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