JP2009069787A - Tongue type soft contact lens remover - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that in a method for removing a general soft contact lens by being sandwiched between two fingers, the removal may be difficult due to the thickness of fingers or the shapes of nails and eyes may be injured sometimes. <P>SOLUTION: A tongue type instrument of which the lens adhesion portion is thinner than a finger and which is formed from a material having frictional force against a lens material and having flexibility, can be used from both sides, and has a stopper for preventing the breakage of lenses on the inside of grip portions so as to perform removal operation of the soft contact lens simply, safely and sanitarily. In the case of forming a design capable of using it only from one side, a flexible band is stretched between the grip portions to prevent misuse and secure safety. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a device for removing a soft contact lens attached to an eye.

  Conventionally, when removing a soft contact lens, the thumb and index finger are mainly used, and the lower part of the lens attached to the eyes is directly pinched and picked up.

  In addition, there is an instrument that can be removed without touching it directly with a finger by sandwiching the lens from above and below with the upper and lower eyelids. In addition, a patent application for a method of removing a lens by adhering eyes to a dedicated liquid in a cup and a liquid has been made (for example, JP-A-16-269508, application number: 2003-428903).

  The method of pinching the lens directly with your finger is difficult to remove depending on the size of the individual's eyes, the shape of the curve and eyelids, the thickness of the finger and the size and shape of the fingernail, and the finger or nail protrudes from the lens and touches the eye directly. There is also a risk of damaging the eyeball. In addition, when the nails are stretched or the finger is injured and a bandage is applied, it is not only more difficult to remove, but also hand washing is not sufficient and it is unsanitary.

  Another commercially available soft lens removal tool, a tool that lifts the center of the lens by pressing it from the edge of the lens while holding the lens up and down from the top of the eyelid, does not touch the lens directly, It can be used even if it extends, and it is excellent in hygiene. However, an ultra-thin lens like a disposable lens requires a stronger pinching force and may cause pressure on the eyes.

  In the method of attaching the eyes to the liquid in the cup and removing the lens, the woman who is making up cannot use it after washing her face and it is inconvenient.

  Remove the soft contact lens from your eyes easily and hygienically without using your finger to touch the lens directly.

  This device uses a three-dimensional part made of a material that has both frictional force and flexibility against silicone hydrogel, which is a soft contact lens material, attached to the tip of two V-shaped or U-shaped limbs as a soft lens. The soft lens can be removed by adhering and sliding the soft lens from the left and right by gripping the main body and pinching the soft lens. In addition, this device is characterized in that the adhesion portion with the lens is thinner than the finger, the lens adhesion portions are vertically symmetrical, and the protrusion is provided inside the grip. Further, in addition to the above, the lens bonding portion that is asymmetrical in the vertical direction has a feature that a flexible band is passed to the grip portion.

  The device of the present invention solves the shortcomings of the method while maintaining the advantages of the method of pinching the lens directly with a finger, and adds simplicity, safety and hygiene.

  The advantage of the method of picking up with a finger is that the fingertip is elastic and the lens is not easily scratched by scratches due to the frictional force caused by the irregularities called fingerprints. The device of the present invention uses a material (for example, a synthetic resin such as natural rubber, silicone rubber or epoxy resin) that has flexibility and frictional force against a soft contact lens material such as silicone hydrogel on the lens bonding surface, and has an uneven surface. Has the same effect as a finger.

  The disadvantages of the method of pinching the lens with the finger are that, as mentioned above, the finger may protrude from the lens due to the thickness of the finger, the size and shape of the nail, and the lens will not be gripped well, or the eye may be scratched by the nail, It is also a hygiene problem due to insufficient hand washing. The device of the present invention is narrower than the fingers, so the device adhesive surface can be easily placed in the lens, and the fingers do not touch the lens or eyes directly. There is no problem with.

  Furthermore, the device of the present invention has two lens bonding parts that are symmetrical in the vertical direction (up and down when the device is placed on a flat surface and viewed horizontally from the bonding part side). It is usable and there is no worry of misuse up and down. If the shape of the lens bonding part is asymmetrical in the vertical direction due to priority on design, etc., it is possible to prevent errors in use by passing a flexible band to the grip part. In addition, the lens is prevented from being damaged by the excessive pinching force of the protrusion inside the grip.

  As described above, when it has been difficult to remove the soft contact lens or when there is some inconvenience, there is an effect that it can be easily removed by this instrument. In particular, it is more effective when it is a disposable soft lens that is very thin and has a high degree of close contact with eyes, or when it is dry eyed when working on a personal computer. In addition, it is almost the same as the removal method that most ophthalmologists and lens manufacturers teach, so it can be used without learning any technique.

Embodiment of the device of this invention is described using figures.

  The device of this invention is a soft lens remover whose lens adhesion part is made of a material that is flexible and frictional with the soft contact lens material, touching the lens directly with your finger by pinching the lens in the way of tongs and tweezers It is an instrument that can be removed from the eyes. FIGS. 1 and 8 are views of the device placed on a plane as seen from above, and FIGS. 2, 3 and 9 are views as seen horizontally from the direction A shown in FIG. The material, shape, and role of each part will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Reference numeral 3 in FIG. 1 denotes a portion to be grasped by a hand, and has elasticity like tongs and tweezers. In the embodiment, steel is used, but other materials such as plastic may be hard to some extent. It extends to the core part of 1 and 2 so that the gripping force is easily transmitted to the lens bonding surface. Give the width and thickness so that 1 and 2 do not shift when grasping.

  1 and 2 in FIG. 1 use a material having flexibility and a frictional force against a soft contact lens material such as silicone hydrogel, such as natural rubber or silicon rubber. It is a rounded three-dimensional shape that is symmetrical, and the contact surface with the lens moves as the lens is touched and then moved away from the eyes (the steps 1a and 2a in FIG. 2b and 2b in FIG. 2 are adhered to the lens when sandwiched between them.) The lens and the adhesive surface are not rubbed and the lens is not easily damaged (the same effect as a finger). The trapezoid with a slight rounded slope is shown in the embodiment drawing, but it may be an ellipse, other rounded shape, or a back. Both 1 and 2 are vertically symmetrical and can be used from either the top or bottom of the instrument.

  Reference numerals 4 and 5 in FIG. 1 are portions that serve as stoppers that prevent the lens from being folded and broken by colliding when the grip 3 is gripped (see FIG. 3). Although the embodiment is a pair, one protrusion having a double width may be attached to only one of the grip portions. This part is not necessarily flexible. In addition, the same part does not need to be attached to the instrument for disposable lenses for one day.

  8 in FIG. 8 is passed to the grip when 1 and 2 are asymmetrical when viewed from the direction A in FIG. 1 (for example, when the overall design of the device is to be emphasized). It has a certain band shape. This not only makes it easier to distinguish between the top and bottom, but if you try to put 1 and 2 on the lens upside down, 6 will rise up and get in the way of the face as 1 and 2 approach each other. Misuse can also be prevented. Therefore, if 1 and 2 are symmetrical and can be used from either side, 6 should not be added.

Examples (usage) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  4 to 6 are sectional views as seen from above during use. For convenience, 4 and 5 are omitted.

  Slightly adjust the upper eye (this step is the same as with a conventional finger), and lower the lower eyelid with the finger of the hand that is not grasping the device. Often taught to lower the lower arm with the middle finger of the hand). 3. Grasp 3 and place your thumb and forefinger at the base of 1 and 2 to narrow between 1 and 2 so that 1a and 2a do not protrude from the lens SL as shown in FIG. In addition, when a hand is fixed by putting the back of the little finger against the mouth during a series of operations, it becomes stable. Next, 3 is further gripped so that 1 and 2 are slid sideways toward the center without applying pressure to the eyes. Then, the central part of the lens rises as shown in FIG. 5, the adhesive part between the instrument and the lens moves to 1a and 2b as shown in FIG. 6, and the lens leaves the eye. At this time, if the gripping force is too strong, 4 and 5 collide to prevent damage to the lens (see FIG. 7).

  Overall view of the device according to the present invention as seen from above   The figure which looked at this instrument from A direction of FIG. For convenience, the bottom part of 3 is omitted and 4 and 5 are shown larger.   FIG. 3 is the same as FIG. 2 and shows a state where force is applied by sandwiching three portions with fingers. The bottom part of 3 is omitted.   Sectional drawing which looked at the condition which adhered this instrument to the lens with which the eye was mounted | worn from the top. The bottom part of 3 and 4 and 5 are omitted.   FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the three portions of FIGS. 4 to 1 are further gripped and the center of the lens is raised and begins to move away from the eyes. The bottom part of 3 and 4 and 5 are omitted.   Sectional drawing of a state in which the lens is completely away from the eyes. The bottom part of 3 and 4 and 5 are omitted.   Illustration of lens and fixtures removed   When the shape of 1 and 2 is a vertically asymmetrical device when viewed from the direction A in FIG. Since 4 and 5 are under 6, they are not visible in this figure.   The figure which looked at the instrument of FIG. 8 from the A direction of FIG. 3, 4 and 5 are omitted.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b, 2a, 2b Part that adheres to the lens 3 Grip part that is gripped by hand 4 and 5 Part that collides when gripping 3 and prevents over-grip 6 Bands passed to grip (1 and 2 cross sections are vertically asymmetric (Only in the case of)
SL Soft contact lens SLa, SLb, SLc, SLd Lens location in contact with the device of the present invention E Eye

Claims (5)

  A device that attaches to a soft contact lens attached to the eye and sandwiches and removes the lens, and has a V-shape or U-shape, and both limbs have elasticity in the lateral direction, and sandwich the lens at the tip of both limbs An instrument that uses a material with a pair of left and right flexibility and frictional force and can be removed without touching the lens.   The soft contact lens removal tool according to claim 1, wherein the pair of left and right parts to be bonded to the lens is a round solid body, and the bonding surface has irregularities in the form of lines, dots or other shapes.   The soft contact lens removal tool according to claim 2, wherein when the device is placed on a flat surface and viewed horizontally from the lens bonding portion side, both have a left and right symmetrical lens bonding surface and each has a vertically symmetrical lens bonding surface.   When this instrument is placed on a flat surface and viewed horizontally from the lens adhesion part side, both sides are symmetrical to each other, each has an asymmetrical shape, and a flexible belt is passed to the hand-held part. Item 3. The soft contact lens remover according to Item 2.   The soft contact lens removal tool according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided on an inner side of a hand-held portion.

Images