JP2020081307A - Sterilizer and storage case of contact lenses - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sterilizer of contact lenses having simple handling which can sterilize contact lenses more effectively while holding the state where contact lenses are housed in a storage case of contact lens in the state where the lenses are immersed in solution such as multipurpose solvent.SOLUTION: A contact lens sterilizer 100 comprises: support parts (111,112) which detachably support the storage case 3 including a deep ultraviolet ray reflection element 20 which reflects deep ultraviolet ray onto a surface of the housing part side of lid bodies (4A, 4B) which consist of deep ultraviolet ray permeable materials (3a, 3b) at least a part of a bottom of which allows deep ultraviolet ray to permeate and seal housing parts (3A, 3B) of contact lenses; deep ultraviolet ray LEDs 10 which are disposed below the storage case 3 supported by the support parts and emit deep ultraviolet ray toward the housing parts of contact lenses in the storage case; and a controller 30 which controls electrification to the deep ultraviolet ray LEDs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a sterilizer for contact lenses and a storage case.

Generally, when using a soft contact lens (hereinafter also simply referred to as a contact lens), to prevent eye infections and eye disorders caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and mold attached to the contact lens after use (wear) In addition, it is necessary to sterilize contact lenses.

As described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, as an example of a sterilization method, for example, in consideration of the convenience of the user, cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing which are the care of soft contact lenses. There is known a method using a multipurpose solvent capable of consistently performing one solution (multipurpose solvent).

A multipurpose solvent (MPS: Multi Purpose Solution) is a solvent whose purpose is to perform necessary care (4 steps of cleaning, rinsing, disinfection, and preservation) with one agent, and the main component is a cationic disinfectant. Therefore, it has the effect of suppressing the growth by changing the cell membrane of the microorganism. The antiseptic effect is exhibited while the soft contact lens is stored in the storage case filled with the multipurpose solvent.

For users who desire a more reliable sterilization effect, a sterilization method of immersing a contact lens in hydrogen peroxide solution is also used.

JP, 2011-028302, A Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-111038

Here, the sterilization method using the above-mentioned one-pack type cleaning/preserving solution (multipurpose solvent) is a method of sterilizing a contact lens using a one-pack type cleaning/preserving solution to which a surfactant or a germicide/preservative is added. Although sterilization is also performed, since the sterilizing preservative contained in the one-pack type cleaning/preserving liquid may adversely affect the human body, the sterilizing preservative is contained within the range where the human body is minimally affected. That is, there is a fact that the bactericidal effect is weak because a bactericidal preservative or the like in a sufficient concentration cannot be contained.

In addition, the method using hydrogen peroxide water, which is expected to have a more reliable sterilization effect, is mainly a hydrogen peroxide disinfection system that uses only one liquid without using multiple liquid agents, especially considering user convenience. Yes, this utilizes the sterilizing power of hydrogen peroxide solution.Specifically, the user himself sterilizes the contact lens by immersing the contact lens in an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide for several hours or more. Processing is performed.

The hydrogen peroxide solution is harmless after being decomposed into water and oxygen, but if it remains undecomposed, it becomes a stimulant to the eyes and poses a problem. Therefore, conventionally, a catalyst such as platinum is used to accelerate and control the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide so that the hydrogen peroxide is completely decomposed and neutralized before the sterilization treatment of the contact lens is completed. Is proposed.

However, there is the fact that contact lenses are immersed in water that has been neutralized with hydrogen peroxide, which may cause bacterial contamination after neutralization. Therefore, there is a fact that it is troublesome to handle, such as requiring replacement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and is a liquid agent such as a multipurpose solvent (a storage solution that also serves as sterilization) for a contact lens storage case, which has a relatively simple and low-cost configuration and is easy to handle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a contact lens sterilizer that can more effectively sterilize a contact lens in a state where the contact lens is dipped and stored in the state. Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact lens storage case suitable for the contact lens sterilizer.

Therefore, the sterilizer for contact lenses according to the present invention,
A storage case in which a contact lens is dipped in a liquid agent and accommodated therein, at least a part of the bottom of which is made of a deep-ultraviolet light transmitting material that transmits deep ultraviolet rays, and at the side of the accommodating portion of a lid that seals the accommodating portion of the contact lens A support portion that detachably supports a storage case that has a deep ultraviolet reflection element that reflects deep ultraviolet rays on its surface,
A deep ultraviolet LED which is disposed below the storage case supported by the support portion and emits deep ultraviolet rays toward the contact lens housing portion of the storage case;
A control device for controlling energization to the deep ultraviolet LED;
It is characterized in that it is configured to include.

In the present invention, a cover is provided to cover the storage case supported by the support section and prevent deep ultraviolet rays from leaking to the outside.
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the cover is in a normal state is provided,
The control device, based on the detection result of the detection means,
Allow electricity to the deep UV LED when the cover is in a normal state,
When the cover is not normally operated, the energization to the deep ultraviolet LED is not permitted or stopped.

Further, the storage case of the contact lens according to the present invention,
A storage case for a contact lens used in a sterilizer for contact lenses according to the present invention, wherein at least a part of the bottom is made of a deep ultraviolet ray transmissive material that transmits deep ultraviolet rays and seals a housing portion of the contact lens. A deep-ultraviolet reflecting element that reflects deep-ultraviolet rays is provided on the surface of the lid body on the side of the accommodation portion.

According to the present invention, the contact lens is housed in the storage case of the contact lens while being immersed in the multipurpose solvent (preservation solution that also serves as sterilization) in the storage case of the contact lens, although it has a relatively simple and low-cost configuration. It is possible to provide a contact lens sterilizer that can more effectively sterilize a contact lens in the same state, and a contact lens storage case suitable for the contact lens sterilizer.

(A) is a front view of the sterilizer for contact lenses according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, (B) is a right side view of (A), ) Is a plan view. It is a perspective view which decomposed|disassembled and showed the sterilizer of a contact lens same as the above. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a detection switch portion provided in the contact lens sterilizing device for detecting the open/closed state of the cover, as viewed from the back side of the housing. It is the perspective view which looked at the sterilizer of a contact lens same as the above from the side with a sterilization start switch.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

Here, as described above, when cleaning, rinsing, sterilizing/disinfecting, and preserving contact lenses using a multipurpose solvent, the germicidal preservatives and the like contained in this multipurpose solvent adversely affect the human body such as the eyeball. There is a possibility that the bactericidal effect is weak because the bactericidal preservative or the like is contained within a range where the adverse effect is small, that is, the bactericidal preservative or the like is not contained in a sufficient concentration.

In addition, in a sterilization method using hydrogen peroxide solution, which is said to have a high sterilization effect, contact lenses are immersed in water after the hydrogen peroxide solution is neutralized, which causes bacterial contamination after neutralization. In addition to the fact that the storage solution and the disinfecting solution are separate for the user, the handling is troublesome, such as the need to replace them.

Therefore, the present inventor envisions a case where a multipurpose solvent that can perform the four steps of cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and storing with one agent and is easy to care for and handle soft contact lenses, and weaknesses in that case The present invention was conceived by conducting various studies with the aim of increasing the sterilizing effect.

That is, in the present invention,
(1) The aim is to find a structure in which the bactericidal power (bactericidal effect) lacking in a multipurpose solvent can be efficiently supplemented by the bactericidal action of a deep ultraviolet light source (LED).
(2) Further, by realizing the above (1), the bactericidal activity (bactericidal effect) can be improved even when a multipurpose solvent is used. Therefore, the content of the disinfecting component (bactericidal preservative etc.) contained in the multipurpose solvent can be improved. By making it possible to lower it further, we aim to further reduce the effect of the disinfecting component on the human body.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the contact lens is sterilized by using the contact lens sterilizing apparatus 100 as shown in FIGS.

1 and 2, each of the soft contact lenses 1 (a pair of left and right soft contact lenses 1A, 1B) is individually housed together with the multipurpose solvent 2 on the upper surface of the sterilizer main body 110 side of the contact lens sterilizer 100. The storage case 3 of the soft contact lens is detachably accommodated (supported at a predetermined position).
In the following, the soft contact lens may be simply referred to as a contact lens.

The main body of the storage case 3 is configured to have storage recesses (storage portions) 3A and 3B that store a pair of left and right soft contact lenses 1A and 1B, respectively.

In addition, in FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, one of the pair of left and right contact lenses 1A and 1B (1B) is omitted, and one of the left and right caps (lids) 4A and 4B ( Illustration of 4B) is omitted.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the sterilizer 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a cover 120 that covers the storage case 3 placed on the sterilizer main body 110 to shield the storage case 3 from the outside. ing. The cover 120 may be a lid that is attachable to and detachable from the sterilizer body 110, but may be a slide type or a configuration in which the cover 120 is openably and closably attached to the sterilizer body 110 via a pivot or the like. You can also

An opening 111 having an opening shape smaller than the outer peripheral shape of the outer edge portion 31 of the main body of the storage case 3 is opened on the upper surface of the sterilizer main body 110, and the storage case is formed by the flat portion 112 around the opening 111. 3 is configured to support the outer edge portion 31 of the storage case 3 and to store the portion of the main body portion of the storage case 3 where the storage recess 3A and the storage recess 3B are provided inside the opening 111.
Here, the opening portion 111 and the flat portion 112 correspond to an example of the support portion according to the present invention.

Here, in the following, the term "storage case 3" refers to the case side of the storage case 3 main body (the side on which the storage recess 3A and the storage recess 3B are provided) and the left and right caps (lids) 4A, 4B. It can mean the whole thing.

It should be noted that the storage case 3 according to the present embodiment can be taken out from the sterilization apparatus 100 as it is after the user has set the sterilization apparatus 100 and finished the sterilization process. After that, the user can handle the storage case as it is, and can also carry it.

By the way, in the present embodiment, when sterilizing the soft contact lens 1, the user stores the soft contact lens 1 together with the multipurpose solvent 2 in the storage case 3 and uses the caps (lids) 4A and 4B. The lidded one is set in the opening 111 of the sterilizer main body 110, and then the lid 120 is covered with the sterilization treatment described later.

The multipurpose solvent 2 according to the present embodiment is a solvent intended to perform the necessary care (4 steps of cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting, and preserving) for soft contact lenses with one agent, and its main component is cationic disinfection. It is an agent that has the effect of suppressing the growth by changing the cell membrane of microorganisms. Commercially available multi-purpose solvents such as "moist" can be used.

Here, in the contact lens sterilization apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, below the storage case 3 is set, a deep ultraviolet light source (LED) 10 (10A, 10A, 10B) are provided corresponding to the left housing recess 3A and the right housing recess 3B of the storage case 3.

More specifically, the deep ultraviolet ray generating light source (LED) 10 (10A, 10B) is provided in the sterilizer main body 110, and the disposition position thereof is housed (supported) in the opening 111 of the sterilizer main body 110. The storage case 3 is disposed at a position where it faces the storage recess 3A on the left side and the storage recess 3B on the right side from below.

Therefore, when deep ultraviolet rays are emitted upward from the deep ultraviolet ray generating light source (LED) 10 (10A, 10B) in FIG. 1(A), the deep ultraviolet rays cause the deep UV rays to have a lower surface (bottom surface) of the left accommodation recess 3A and the right accommodation recess 3B. ), and by extension, the lower surfaces of the soft contact lenses 1A and 1B housed therein can be irradiated.

The deep ultraviolet ray generating light source (deep ultraviolet ray LED) is a light emitting diode that emits an invisible light ray (deep ultraviolet ray) having a bactericidal action, and a device that emits a light ray having a bactericidal action. Deep ultraviolet light refers to ultraviolet light having a relatively short wavelength.

The deep ultraviolet LED 10 used in the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and, for example, "BRT-B35CD7E1CSC", "BRT-B35CD7G1CSC", etc., which are available from BIRORAYTRON Co., can be adopted, and others. It is also possible to adopt the deep ultraviolet LED of.

Here, the deep ultraviolet rays emitted from the deep ultraviolet rays LED 10 reach the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) accommodated inside the storage case 3 (accommodation concave portion 3A, accommodation concave portion 3B) and perform sterilization treatment. As can be seen, the bottoms (lower side portions) of the storage recesses 3A and the storage recesses 3B of the storage case 3 according to the present embodiment are made of materials (deep ultraviolet light transmissive materials) 3a, 3b that can transmit deep ultraviolet light. Has been done.

The deep ultraviolet light transmitting material used in the storage case 3 is not particularly limited, but for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE: “Teflon” (registered trademark)), deep ultraviolet light transmitting glass (manufactured by Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd.), etc. Can be used.

In this way, by making at least a part of the bottoms (the portions facing the deep-UV LED 10) of the storage recess 3A on the left side and the storage recess 3B on the right side of the storage case 3 the deep-UV transparent material 3a, 3b, the storage case 3 The lower surface side (lower surface in FIG. 1A) of the soft contact lens 1 housed together with the multipurpose solvent 2 can be sterilized and disinfected.
It is also possible to form (form) the entire storage case 3 main body (where the accommodating recess 3A and the accommodating recess 3B are provided) on the deep ultraviolet ray transmitting material.

Here, since the soft contact lens 1 is generally a material that does not transmit deep ultraviolet rays, even if the deep ultraviolet LEDs 10 (10A, 10B) are arranged on the lower surface side of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B). , The upper surface side of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) cannot be sterilized and disinfected.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1(A), the caps 4A and 4B on the left and right sides (on the side facing the accommodation recess 3A and the accommodation recess 3B of the storage case 3 when the lid is covered) are disposed. , The deep ultraviolet rays transmitted through the deep ultraviolet ray transmitting materials 3a and 3b provided on the bottom surface of the storage case 3 are directed to the upper surface of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) housed in the storage case 3 together with the multipurpose solvent 2. A reflective deep UV reflective element 20 is provided. In FIG. 1(A), the deep ultraviolet ray reflecting element 20 provided on the cap 4B and on the back surface of the cap 4B is omitted, but the cap 4B has the same structure as the cap 4A. It is also configured with a reflective element 20.

The deep-ultraviolet reflecting element 20 can be, for example, a deep-ultraviolet reflecting foil (for example, LUXAL “made by Toyo Aluminum”) or a deep-ultraviolet reflecting film. The deep ultraviolet reflection element 20 may be applied by being attached to the back side of the left and right caps 4A and 4B, or the deep ultraviolet reflection film may be formed by a method such as plating, physical vapor deposition or chemical vapor deposition. It is possible.

The shape of the deep ultraviolet reflection element 20 (the shape of the surface facing the housing recess 3A, the housing recess 3B) is not particularly limited, but may be formed on the bottom (lower surface) of the housing recess 3A and the housing recess 3B of the storage case 3. A shape like a concave mirror (concave mirror shape, so that the deep ultraviolet rays transmitted through the provided deep ultraviolet ray transmitting materials 3a and 3b can be efficiently reflected toward the upper surface of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B). Concave spherical shape) or the like.

By the way, although it has been described above that the deep ultraviolet light transmitting materials 3a and 3b form at least a part of the bottoms (the portions facing the deep ultraviolet LED 10) of the storage recess 3A on the left side and the storage recess 3B on the right side of the storage case 3. More specifically, the deep ultraviolet ray transmitting materials 3a and 3b are arranged such that the deep ultraviolet rays emitted from the deep ultraviolet ray LEDs 10 (10A, 10B) provided below the lower surface (to the eyeball) of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B). The surface of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) that can irradiate the surface of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) ) Is sterilized/disinfected at least in the range that can irradiate the upper surface (the back side when worn on the eyeball) (that is, the range in which both surfaces of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) can be sterilized/disinfected). It is preferable for enhancing the ability.

Note that the cover 120 described above is molded from a conventionally used material, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), so that the deep ultraviolet rays emitted from the deep ultraviolet rays LED 10 are exposed to the outside. It helps prevent leakage (shields deep UV rays).

Further, when the deep ultraviolet rays are being emitted from the deep ultraviolet rays LED 10 (while the deep ultraviolet rays LED 10 is energized), the cover 120 is locked so as not to be opened carelessly in order to prevent the deep ultraviolet rays from directly hitting the human body. It is possible to prevent erroneous irradiation by adopting a structure in which the electric power is applied to the deep ultraviolet LED 10 or a structure in which the power supply to the deep ultraviolet LED 10 is stopped when the cover 120 is opened.
A control device (control board) 30 controls the energization of the deep ultraviolet LED 10 as described above.

Here, an example of a method of using the contact lens sterilization apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.
(Step 1) The user scrubs the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) with the multipurpose solvent 2 and then stores the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) together with the fresh multipurpose solvent 2 in the storage case 3. It is housed in the housing recesses 3A, 3B, and is covered with the caps 4A, 4B.

(Step 2) The user opens the cover 120 of the sterilizer 100 and puts the storage case 3 containing the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) in a predetermined position (opening 111) of the sterilizer main body 110. Then, the cover 120 of the sterilizer 100 is closed.

(Step 3) Subsequently, the user presses the sterilization start switch (or button) 40 to start the sterilization/disinfection process.
The ON signal of the sterilization start switch 40 is input to the control device (control board) 30, and the control device 30 receiving the signal energizes the deep ultraviolet LED 10 until a predetermined sterilization time elapses. To do. Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the energization time (sterilization time) can be switched to several kinds by a changeover switch or the like.

By performing the step 3 to irradiate the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) with the deep ultraviolet rays emitted from the deep ultraviolet ray LED 10 in the state of being housed in the storage case 3, it is possible to perform without complicated work. The soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) can be easily sterilized and disinfected.

(Step 4) When the deep ultraviolet LED 10 is powered on (energized) for a predetermined time (a predetermined sterilization/disinfection time), the control device 30 turns off the power and ends the sterilization/disinfection process. Further, when the cover 120 is opened before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control device 30 detects this with the detection switch 50 and forcibly stops the energization of the deep ultraviolet LED 10, thereby the human body. The structure can be prevented from erroneously irradiating deep ultraviolet rays to the like.

It should be noted that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the detection switch 50 is provided with the detection switch 50 by inserting the projection 121 into a notch (slit) 113 that accommodates the projection 121 provided in the cover 120. When the cover 120 is engaged, the detection switch 50 detects that the cover 120 is in a normal state, and when the cover 120 is opened, the engagement is released and the detection switch 50 is removed from the cover 120. Can be detected.
Here, the detection switch 50 corresponds to an example of the detection means according to the present invention.

However, the detection switch 50 can also be a simple mechanism that disconnects a part of the power supply circuit to the deep ultraviolet LED 10.

In addition, when the detection switch 50 detects a normal state, the control device 30 permits energization to the deep ultraviolet LED 10 and does not detect the normal state of the cover 120 (the cover 120 is removed. In such a case, the deep UV LED 10 may not be allowed to be energized or may be stopped.

(Step 5) When the sterilization/disinfection of the soft contact lens 1 is completed, the user opens the cover 120 and takes out the storage case 3.
With the above, the sterilization/disinfection process of the contact lens using the sterilization apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is completed.

As described above, according to the sterilization apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, by irradiating the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) with deep ultraviolet rays while being housed in the storage case 3, complicated work etc. The soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) can be easily sterilized and disinfected without performing the above.

In particular, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the lower surface of the storage case 3 is made of the deep ultraviolet light transmissive material 3a, 3b, and the deep ultraviolet light transmissive material 3a on the lower surface of the storage case 3 is provided on the back side of the caps 4A, 4B. Since the deep ultraviolet ray transmitting element 3b is provided to reflect the deep ultraviolet ray that has passed through 3b toward the upper surface (upper surface) of the soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) housed in the storage case 3, The soft contact lens 1 (1A, 1B) can be efficiently sterilized and disinfected without performing a troublesome operation such as inverting the storage case 3.

In addition, the sterilization apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment adopts a deep ultraviolet LED as a deep ultraviolet ray generation light source, and thus the apparatus can be miniaturized and lightweight, power saving can be performed, and the portability is excellent, and the light source can be used. Since the life of the device can be extended, it can contribute to the extension of the device life.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the deep ultraviolet ray reflecting element 20 is provided, the comparatively expensive deep ultraviolet ray LED is used for sterilizing/disinfecting the upper surface of the soft contact lens 1, the deep ultraviolet ray LED 10 (10A, 10B). ), it is possible to contribute to cost reduction, weight reduction, size reduction, etc. of the sterilization apparatus 100.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the deep ultraviolet ray reflecting element 20 is provided, the number of the deep ultraviolet ray LEDs 10 mounted on the sterilization device 100 can be reduced, which can also contribute to reduction in power consumption.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the source of electricity of the sterilizer 100 is not particularly limited, depending on the usage mode of the user, a storage battery such as a disposable dry battery or a rechargeable rechargeable battery, It can be an AC power supply, a USB power supply, or the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even though the structure is relatively simple and low cost, it is easy to handle and can be used as a liquid agent such as a multipurpose solvent (preservative solution that also serves as sterilization) in a storage case of a contact lens. It is possible to provide a contact lens sterilizer that can more effectively sterilize a contact lens while the contact lens is stored in a dipped state, and a contact lens suitable for the contact lens sterilizer is provided. A storage case can be provided.

Further, according to the sterilizer for contact lenses according to the present embodiment,
(1) The bactericidal power (bactericidal effect), which is lacking in the multipurpose solvent, can be efficiently supplemented by the bactericidal action of the deep ultraviolet light source (LED).
For this reason,
(2) Since the bactericidal power (bactericidal effect) can be improved even when a multipurpose solvent is used, it can contribute to further reduction of the content of the disinfecting component (bactericidal preservative etc.) contained in the multipurpose solvent. It can also contribute to further reducing the adverse effects of the disinfecting components on the human body and the like.

The main body side of the storage case 3 according to the present embodiment can be entirely molded with a deep ultraviolet ray transmissive material, but a part of the bottom of the storage case 3 is formed with the deep ultraviolet ray transmissive material 3a, 3b. In the case (embedding, fitting, etc.), the portions other than the deep ultraviolet ray transmitting materials 3a and 3b are molded with a conventionally used material, for example, a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). be able to.

Further, the lids 4A and 4B for sealing (sealing) the housing recesses 3A and 3B of the storage case 3 are made of the same material as the conventional one, for example, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate. Known synthetic resin materials such as (PET) and acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymer resin (ABS) can be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, the sterilization apparatus 100 applied when the outer edge portion 31 is provided in the main body portion of the storage case 3 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Irrespective of the shape of the storage case, the shape of the sterilizer main body 110, etc., the deep UV LED 10 (10A, 10B) irradiates the accommodating recesses 3A and 3B in which the soft contact lenses 1A, 1B are accommodated, from the lower surface side. The present invention is applicable as long as it has a configuration capable of achieving the above.

In addition, although the present embodiment has been described as a sterilizer for soft contact lenses, the present invention is not limited to this, and is also applicable to hard contact lenses.
However, the sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for a soft contact lens for regular replacement and a soft contact lens for long-term replacement that require care using a multipurpose solvent.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where a multipurpose solvent is used has been described, but the contact lens is housed in the storage case in a state of being immersed in a storage solution other than the multipurpose solvent and other liquid agents, and the inside of the storage case in that state is stored as it is. It is also applicable when sterilizing the contact lens housed therein.

In addition, although the opening 111 and the flat portion 112 are described as an example of the support portion in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and other examples of the support portion include, for example, a deep ultraviolet ray transmissive material. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the storage case 3 is placed and supported on the formed plate-like element.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the pair of left and right contact lenses 1A, 1B are simultaneously sterilized and disinfected by the deep ultraviolet LEDs 10A, 10B, but the present invention is not limited to this and, for example, It is also possible to provide one ultraviolet LED and sterilize and disinfect the pair of left and right contact lenses 1A and 1B sequentially one by one.

Further, in the present embodiment, the pair of left and right deep ultraviolet LEDs 10A and 10B are provided so as to correspond to the pair of left and right contact lenses 1A and 1B, but in some cases, one of the pair of left and right deep ultraviolet LEDs 10A and 10B is provided. By omitting it, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which when the sterilization/disinfection of one of the left and right is completed, the other sterilization/disinfection is performed next

Further, in the present embodiment, the storage case 3 is configured to be sealed (sealed) by the caps 4A and 4B, but the configuration is not particularly limited. For example, the caps 4A and 4B are stored by screwing. In addition to the configuration of sealing (sealing) by fastening to the case 3, a configuration of sealing (sealing) by fitting or the like can be adopted.

Further, in the present embodiment, the deep UV reflecting element 20 is provided on the back surface of the caps 4A and 4B, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the caps 4A and 4B are made of a deep UV transparent material, After sterilization and poisoning of the surface side of the contact lens (the surface opposite to the eyeball mounting surface) (the lower surface side in FIG. 1A) is turned upside down and the contact lens eyeball mounting surface side (FIG. 1). It is also possible to perform sterilization and poisoning on the upper side in (A).

In addition, although the case where the user operates the sterilization start switch 40 has been described as an example in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the deep ultraviolet LED 10 is energized when the cover 120 is closed. Is started, and the deep UV LED 10 is de-energized after a predetermined time (the time required for sterilization/disinfection) has elapsed, and even during that time, the energization to the deep UV LED 10 is stopped when the cover 120 is removed. , And the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments of the invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 Soft contact lens (contact lens)
1A, 1B A pair of left and right soft contact lenses 2 Multipurpose solvent (or preservative or other liquid agent)
3 Storage case 3A, 3B Storage recess (storage section)
3a, 3b Deep UV transparent material 4A, 4B Cap (lid)
10 Deep UV light source (Deep UV LED)
10A, 10B A pair of left and right deep ultraviolet light source (deep ultraviolet LED)
20 Deep UV Reflective Element 30 Control Device (Control Board)
40 Sterilization start switch (or button)
50 detection switch (corresponding to an example of detection means according to the present invention)
100 Sterilizer for contact lenses 110 Sterilizer main body 120 Cover

Claims (3)

A storage case in which a contact lens is dipped in a liquid agent and accommodated therein, at least a part of the bottom of which is made of a deep-ultraviolet light transmitting material that transmits deep ultraviolet rays, and at the side of the accommodating portion of a lid that seals the accommodating portion of the contact lens A support portion that detachably supports a storage case that has a deep ultraviolet reflection element that reflects deep ultraviolet rays on its surface,
A deep ultraviolet LED which is disposed below the storage case supported by the support portion and emits deep ultraviolet rays toward the contact lens housing portion of the storage case;
A control device for controlling energization to the deep ultraviolet LED;
A sterilizer for contact lenses, comprising: A cover is provided to cover the storage case supported by the support section and prevent deep ultraviolet rays from leaking to the outside.
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the cover is in a normal state is provided,
The control device, based on the detection result of the detection means,
Allow electricity to the deep UV LED when the cover is in a normal state,
The contact lens sterilizing device according to claim 1, wherein when the cover is not normally operated, the energization to the deep ultraviolet LED is not permitted or stopped. A contact lens storage case used in the contact lens sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2,
At least a part of the bottom is made of a deep ultraviolet ray transmitting material that transmits deep ultraviolet rays, and a deep ultraviolet ray reflecting element that reflects deep ultraviolet rays is provided on the surface of the lid that seals the accommodating portion of the contact lens on the side of the accommodating portion. A storage case for contact lenses that is characterized by being

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