WO2012060443A1

WO2012060443A1 - Contact lens sterilizing device

Info

Publication number: WO2012060443A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/075438
Authority: WO
Inventors: 治三宅; 篁三宅
Original assignee: Miyake Haru; Miyake Takamura
Priority date: 2010-11-04
Filing date: 2011-11-04
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Also published as: JP5101681B2; JP2012095921A

Abstract

The present invention provides a contact lens sterilizing device which can sufficiently sterilize contact lenses (13). The contact lens sterilizing device comprises: a treatment tank (35) which accommodates a first medium and is provided with a vibration transmission part in the lower section thereof; a lens case (11) which is detachably disposed in the treatment tank (35) and mountably disposed on the vibration transmission part, and which accommodates the contact lenses (13) and a second medium; an ultrasonic vibrator (22) for generating ultrasonic vibrations and transmitting the ultrasonic vibrations to the vibration transmission part; and an ultrasonic vibrator driving means (22) for driving the ultrasonic vibrator (22) to thereby produce hydroxyl radicals in the second medium. The contact lenses (13) can be sufficiently sterilized as a result of the ultrasonic vibrator (22) being driven to thereby produce hydroxyl radicals in the second medium. In addition, it is possible to simplify the sterilizing process since the contact lenses (13) can be sterilized in an extremely short amount of time without having to neutralize a processing liquid after sterilizing has finished.

Description

Contact lens disinfection device

The present invention relates to a contact lens disinfection device.

Conventionally, contact lens disinfection devices have been provided in which contact lenses such as hard contact lenses and soft contact lenses can be repeatedly used with a treatment liquid.

This type of contact lens disinfection device includes a lens case. A treatment liquid having a predetermined disinfection (sterilization) effect is accommodated in the lens case, and the contact lens is disinfected by being immersed in the treatment liquid for a predetermined time. be able to.

There is also provided a contact lens disinfection device that disinfects contact lenses by boiling. This type of contact lens disinfection device includes a storage chamber that stores a lens case, a heater that heats the walls of the storage chamber, and the like, and the contact lens is a boiling solution such as water or physiological saline stored in the lens case. When the lens case is set in the storage chamber and the heater is energized, the lens case is heated, and the boiling solution in the lens case is heated and boiled. In this way, the contact lens can be sterilized (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-20869 A

However, the conventional contact lens disinfecting device cannot sufficiently kill the Acanthamoeba, which is the cause of damage to the cornea of the eye. This is because the Acanthamoeba becomes a cyst having a double wall in the processing solution or boiling solution, and becomes extremely strong against the processing solution or heat.

In addition, when disinfecting a contact lens with a treatment liquid, it is necessary not only to immerse the contact lens in the treatment liquid for a long time, but also to neutralize the treatment liquid after the disinfection is completed. Work is troublesome.

When the contact lens is disinfected by boiling, the contact lens is deteriorated by heat, and the durability of the contact lens is lowered.

The present invention solves the problems of the conventional contact lens disinfection device, can sufficiently disinfect the contact lens, simplifies the work for disinfection, and improves the durability of the contact lens. It is an object of the present invention to provide a contact lens disinfecting apparatus that can prevent the deterioration.

For this purpose, in the contact lens disinfection device of the present invention, the first medium is accommodated, a treatment tank having a vibration transmitting portion disposed at the bottom, and the treatment tank is detachably attached to the treatment tank. A lens case that is placed on the transmission unit and that accommodates the contact lens and the second medium; an ultrasonic transducer that generates ultrasonic vibrations and transmits the ultrasonic vibrations to the vibration transmission unit; Ultrasonic transducer drive processing means for driving the ultrasonic transducer to generate hydroxyl radicals in the second medium.

According to the present invention, in the contact lens disinfecting apparatus, the first medium is accommodated, a treatment tank in which a vibration transmission unit is disposed at the bottom, and the vibration can be attached to and detached from the treatment tank. A lens case that is placed on the transmission unit and that accommodates the contact lens and the second medium; an ultrasonic transducer that generates ultrasonic vibrations and transmits the ultrasonic vibrations to the vibration transmission unit; Ultrasonic transducer drive processing means for driving the ultrasonic transducer to generate hydroxyl radicals in the second medium.

In this case, since the hydroxyl radical is generated in the second medium by driving the ultrasonic vibrator, the contact lens can be sufficiently disinfected.

Further, since it is not necessary to immerse the contact lens in the treatment solution for a long time, the contact lens can be disinfected in a very short time. And since it is not necessary to neutralize a processing liquid after completion | finish of disinfection, the operation | work for disinfection can be simplified.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary to disinfect the contact lens by boiling, the contact lens is not deteriorated by heat. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the durability of the contact lens from being lowered.

It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state which set the lens case in the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which set the lens case in the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the lens case in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the lens case in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the contact lens disinfection device in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the operation / display panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart showing operation | movement of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator drive processing means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which set the lens case in the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the lens case in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the lens case in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the lens case in the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Contact

lens disinfection apparatus

11, 81 Lens case 13 Contact lens 21 Diaphragm 22 Ultrasonic vibrator 35 Treatment tank 67 Control part 76 Top wall

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a principal part showing a state in which a lens case is set in a contact lens disinfection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a contact lens disinfection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a contact lens disinfection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lens case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main part of the lens case according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 10 is a contact lens disinfection device, 11 is a lens case set in the contact

lens disinfection device

10, 13 is a pair of contact lenses accommodated in the

lens case

11, and 14 is outside the contact lens disinfection device 10. A case 15 is a main body of the contact lens disinfection device 10, that is, a disinfection device main body, 20 is a bottom as a bottom wall surrounding the lower end of the

case

14, 43 is a control board, and 44 is a semiconductor. It is a transistor as a switching element.

The disinfecting device main body 15 includes a cylindrical body 16 as a first housing integrally formed with the case 14, a cover Cv as an opening / closing member disposed at an upper end of the cylindrical body 16, and the cylindrical shape A diaphragm 21 as a first closing member that closes a predetermined portion below the body 16 and as a first vibration transmitting portion, and is attached to the lower surface of the diaphragm 21 with an adhesive. Attached), an ultrasonic transducer 22 for generating ultrasonic vibrations, a presser 23 as a second housing for attaching the diaphragm 21 to the cylindrical body 16, and a second end for closing the lower end of the presser 23 A lid (lid) body 24 or the like as a closing member is provided, and a treatment tank 35 for containing water as a first medium is formed by the cylindrical body 16 and the diaphragm 21.

The cover Cv is swingably attached to the cylindrical body 16 via a hinge hg, and an annular protrusion 49 as a movement blocking member is formed on the lower surface so as to protrude downward. When the cover Cv is closed, the protrusion 49 surrounds the lens case 11 and prevents the lens case 11 from moving in the processing tank 35. Note that the shape of the protrusion can be set so that the lens case 11 can be pushed when the cover Cv is closed.

Further, an operation / display panel 97 is disposed on the front surface of the case 14, and a heat sink 98 is disposed on the rear surface as a heat radiation portion for cooling the transistor 44.

The lens case 11 is disposed so as to be detachable from the processing tank 35 and can be placed on the vibration plate 21. In FIG. 1, La represents the level of water. The ultrasonic transducer 22 is connected to a drive circuit, which will be described later, by a conducting wire 30 to generate ultrasonic vibration at a predetermined frequency, which is 1.6 [MHz] in the present embodiment. Transmit to the plate 21.

The case 14, the cover Cv, and the presser 23 are formed by injection molding using a resin such as an acrylic resin. Further, the diaphragm 21 is made of a plate-like metal, in the present embodiment, stainless steel, and is formed into a disk shape by performing press working (punching) on the plate material. When the sound velocity of the material forming the diaphragm 21 is C and the frequency (resonance frequency) of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is f, the thickness T of the diaphragm 21 is
T = C / 2f
To be.

In the present embodiment, stainless steel is used as the vibration plate 21 and the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is adhered to the vibration plate 21 with an adhesive. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 itself and the ultrasonic wave The resonance frequency of the vibration part composed of the vibrator 22 and the diaphragm 21 is different. Therefore, when ultrasonic vibration is generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 22 at a frequency f of 1.6 [MHz], the frequency generated by the vibration part (actually, the vibration plate 21 faces the treatment tank 35). Therefore, the frequency (f) generated by the diaphragm 21 changes in the range of 1.6 [MHz] or more and 1.8 [MHz] or less. Since the sound velocity C of stainless steel is 5800 [m / s], the thickness T is set to 1.5 [mm] or more and 1.7 [mm] or less.

In addition, the cylindrical body 16 is a cylindrical side wall 26 as a first wall portion formed so as to protrude upward and downward from the case 14. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical side wall 26, An annular bottom wall 27 as a second wall portion formed radially inward from the lower end, and a predetermined portion of the bottom wall 27, in the present embodiment, the center of the bottom wall 27 in the radial direction In the present embodiment, which is a cylindrical wall as a third wall portion extending downward from the portion, a cylindrical protruding wall 28 is provided, and a circular opening Ot is provided at the upper end of the side wall 26, and the bottom wall 27. A circular opening Om is formed at the inner periphery of the projection wall 28, and a circular opening Ob is formed at the lower end of the protruding wall 28.

The presser 23 has a cylindrical side wall 31 formed adjacent to the projecting wall 28 radially inward from the projecting wall 28, and an annular shape formed radially inward from the lower end of the side wall 31. By fixing the presser 23 to the cylindrical body 16, the diaphragm 21 is pressed against the bottom wall 27, and the opening Om is closed to form the bottom of the treatment tank 35. The

For this purpose, the bottom wall 27 forms a sealed portion by a portion protruding radially inward from the upper end of the protruding wall 28, and an annular O-ring 34 as a seal member is disposed in the sealed portion. . Further, a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the protruding wall 28 and a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 31, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm 21 is hermetically sealed by screwing the female screw and the male screw together. Pressed against the part.

In the treatment tank 35, a nozzle 36 as a bubble adhesion preventing member is disposed toward the vibration plate 21, and the nozzle 36 prevents bubbles from adhering to the vibration plate 21. For this purpose, the nozzle 36 is connected to a pump (not shown), and jets a flow of the medium generated by driving the pump, in the present embodiment, toward the diaphragm 21. That is, when the pump is driven, the water in the treatment tank 35 is sucked by the pump and sprayed by the nozzle 36.

An opening Oe is formed in the bottom wall 32, and the opening Oe is closed by attaching the lid body 24 to the bottom wall 32, thereby forming a hollow portion 37 surrounded by the diaphragm 21, the presser 23 and the lid body 24. Is done.

The lens case 11 has a cylindrical side wall 51, a mesh-shaped partition 52 disposed in the center in the height direction in the side wall 51, and forming first and second chambers r1 and r2. 51, an annular flange 53 formed at the same height as the partition 52 and caps 54 and 55 as first and second lid members for closing both ends of the side wall 51 are provided. The side wall 51, the partition 52, and the flange 53 constitute the main body of the lens case 11, that is, the case main body 150.

The side wall 51, the partition 52, and the flange 53 are integrally formed by injection molding with a resin such as acrylic resin, and male screws are formed at both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 51. Further, the partition 52 is formed with a number of holes 57 for communicating the first and second chambers r1 and r2.

The

caps

54 and 55 are respectively the main bodies of the

caps

54 and 55 having an “L” cross section, that is, an annular body 56 as a cap body, an annular O-ring 58 as a seal member, and the annular body. A diaphragm 59 is provided as a third closing member for closing 56 radially inward portions and as a second vibration transmitting portion. The annular body 56 includes an end wall 61 formed to extend in parallel to the partition 52, a side wall 62 formed by rising from an outer peripheral edge of the end wall 61, and having an internal thread formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and A protrusion 63 is formed by rising from the inner peripheral edge of the end wall 61, and the O-ring 58 is held by the side wall 62 and the protrusion 63.

Caps

54 and 55 are attached to both ends of the side wall 51 by screwing a male screw formed on the side wall 51 and a female screw formed on the side wall 62, and the first and second chambers r 1 and r 2 are attached by O-rings 58. Can be sealed.

The diaphragm 59 is made of a plate-like metal, in this embodiment, stainless steel so that the ultrasonic vibration from the diaphragm 21 is sufficiently transmitted, and has a thickness similar to that of the diaphragm 21. It is made 1.5 [mm] or more and 1.7 [mm] or less. The diaphragm 59 is formed in a dish shape by press working (drawing), and has a main body portion 64, a cylindrical portion 65 extending in a direction perpendicular to the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 64, and an upper end of the cylindrical portion 65. A flange portion 66 extending radially outward from the (tip) is provided.

In order to bring the diaphragm 59 and the diaphragm 21 into close contact with each other, the diaphragm 59 is used as an insert (core), and the outer surface S1 of the main body 64 and the outer surface S2 of the end wall 61 are flush with each other. In addition, the annular body 56 is formed by injection molding (insert molding) so that the flange portion 66 is embedded in the resin forming the annular body 56.

If the annular body 56 is formed by projecting the outer surface S1 of the main body 64 from the outer surface S2 of the end wall 61 by a predetermined amount, the adhesion between the diaphragm 59 and the diaphragm 21 can be enhanced.

In the lens case 11, as a second medium in such an amount that the contact lens 13 can be sufficiently immersed in order to generate hydroxyl radicals when ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through the vibration plate 59. Saline is contained. Note that Lb represents the level of physiological saline, and a predetermined air layer 60 is formed at the upper end in the lens case 11.

Accordingly, one of the

caps

54, 55, for example, the cap 54 is removed, physiological saline is added, the contact lens 13 is inserted into the first chamber r1, the cap 54 is attached, and then the cap 55 is removed, By putting the contact lens 13 in the second chamber r2 and attaching the cap 55, the contact lens 13 can be accommodated in the lens case 11 while being floated horizontally.

The side wall 51 and the

caps

54 and 55 of the sterilizer main body 15 are provided with a right-eye contact lens 13 in one of the first and second chambers r1 and r2, and a left-eye contact lens 13 in the other. Marks are added so that they can be distinguished.

In order to increase the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated, a predetermined amount of hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) can be added to physiological saline, water or the like. In the present embodiment, physiological saline is used as the second medium, but water can be used as the second medium instead of physiological saline.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the lens case 11 is almost completely or completely immersed in the water in the treatment tank 35, and is placed on the diaphragm 21 so that one diaphragm 59 is in close contact therewith. Placed.

In addition, the bottom wall 27 can be integrally formed of resin without disposing the diaphragm 21, or the end wall 61 can be integrally formed of resin without disposing the diaphragm 59. In this case, when the lens case 11 is placed on the bottom wall 27, the output of the ultrasonic vibration is reduced or the frequency f is shifted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration generated by driving the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the

diaphragms

21 and 59, and the

diaphragms

21 and 59 are vibrated to thereby generate ultrasonic waves. The vibration is transmitted to the physiological saline.

Next, the control device of the contact lens disinfection device 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.

FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the contact lens disinfection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of the operation / display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a time chart showing operation | movement of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator drive processing means in 1 embodiment.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 45 denotes a control device. The control device 45 includes a control unit 67 that performs overall control of the contact lens disinfection device 10, and drives the ultrasonic transducer 22 to the control unit 67. A drive circuit 68, an operation unit 69, a display unit 70, a pump Pm, and the like are connected. Further, a basic oscillation circuit 46 as an oscillation circuit is connected to the drive circuit 68, and a modulation circuit 47 is connected to the basic oscillation circuit 46. Note that the display unit 70 can function as an operation unit.

The control unit 67 includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic unit, a RAM (not shown) used as a working memory when the CPU performs various arithmetic processes, a control program, a ROM (not shown) in which various data are recorded, etc. Is provided. The CPU functions as a computer based on various programs, data, and the like. The RAM, ROM, etc. constitute a recording device. Note that an MPU or the like can be used as the arithmetic device instead of the CPU.

The drive circuit 68 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 22 via a transformer (not shown), is actuated by receiving a drive signal Sg from the controller 67, and drives the ultrasonic transducer 22 to 1.6 [ [MHz] is generated. Therefore, the basic oscillation circuit 46 performs basic oscillation based on a signal having a predetermined frequency generated by the modulation circuit 47.

The transformer is disposed to adjust the impedance and to insulate the ultrasonic transducer 22 from the control unit 67 and the like. In the present embodiment, the drive circuit 68 and the ultrasonic transducer 22 are connected via a transformer. However, when a Colpitts oscillation circuit is used as the oscillation circuit, the drive circuit 68 and the ultrasonic transducer 22 are connected to each other. The ultrasonic transducer 22 can be directly connected.

The operation / display panel 97 including the operation unit 69 and the display unit 70 as shown in FIG. 8 is disposed at a predetermined position of the case 14 (FIG. 1).

In FIG. 8, bt1 is a power on / off button for turning on / off the power of the contact lens disinfection device 10, bt2 is a start button for starting disinfection of the contact lens 13, and bt3 is a contact lens 13. A stop button for stopping the disinfection in the middle, bt4 is a time for disinfecting the contact lens 13, that is, a time setting button for setting the disinfection time, and bt5 is for setting an output of ultrasonic vibration Ds1 is a display lamp that is turned on when the power is turned on, ds2 is a display lamp that is blinked when disinfection of the contact lens 13 is started, and ds3 is disinfection of the contact lens 13 Is a display lamp that flashes when it is stopped halfway, ds4 is the set disinfection time The liquid crystal panel for displaying, ds5 liquid crystal panel for displaying the output of the ultrasonic vibration is set, ds6 is a liquid crystal panel for output confirmation for displaying that the output ultrasonic vibrations. The operation unit 69 is configured by the buttons bt1 to bt5, and the display unit 70 is configured by the display lamps ds1 to ds3 and the liquid crystal panels ds4 to ds6.

Therefore, when the operator presses the button bt1 to turn on the power of the contact lens disinfection device 10, operates the button bt4 to set the disinfection time, and operates the button bt5 to set the output of the ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic transducer drive processing means of the CPU performs ultrasonic transducer drive processing, sends a drive signal Sg to the drive circuit 68, and operates the drive circuit 68 as shown in FIG. The child 22 is driven.

As a result, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the physiological saline in the lens case 11 via the

vibration plates

21 and 59, and in the treatment tank 35 via the vibration plate 21. It is transmitted to water, further transmitted to the lens case 11, and transmitted to the physiological saline in the lens case 11. At this time, the water in the physiological saline is decomposed by ultrasonic vibration to generate hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the contact lens 13 can be sufficiently disinfected by the bactericidal / antibacterial effect of the hydroxyl radical.

By the way, in the soft contact lens, in order to allow oxygen to permeate, the moisture content in the contact lens 13, that is, the moisture content is considerably high, and even if the moisture content is low, it is set to 30 to 40%. A high thing is made 50 [%] or more.

Therefore, when disinfecting a soft contact lens, when ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the contact lens 13 via physiological saline, the water in the contact lens 13 is decomposed by the ultrasonic vibration, and hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen atoms are generated. Is done. As a result, the contact lens 13 can be sterilized by the hydroxyl radical generated in the physiological saline and the hydroxyl radical generated in the contact lens 13.

In addition, even if the Acanthamoeba, which is the cause of causing damage to the cornea of the eye in the contact lens 13, is propagated in the contact lens 13, the Acanthamoeba can be sufficiently killed.

In addition, since the soft contact lens has a small lens thickness (0.1 [mm] or less) and a diameter of about 14 [mm], when it is accommodated in the first and second chambers r1 and r2, Placed in a floating state. Accordingly, since the ultrasonic vibration transmitted through the diaphragm 59 is transmitted at a substantially right angle with respect to the surface of the contact lens 13, the contact lens 13 can be easily moved in the first and second chambers r1 and r2. To penetrate. As a result, hydroxyl radicals can be sufficiently generated in the contact lens 13.

When the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted, the contact lens 13 is moved vertically and horizontally in the physiological saline. Therefore, the contact lens 13 can be disinfected throughout.

In the present embodiment, the output of the ultrasonic vibration is set so that the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated is not less than 0.1 [μM] and not more than 60 [μM] so that the contact lens 13 is not denatured. Is done.

In addition, when the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the

diaphragms

21 and 59, bubbles are generated by water existing between the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59. For example, the end wall 61 of the lens case 11 rides on the bottom wall 27, and the lens case 11 cannot be properly placed on the diaphragm 21, and a large gap (clearance) is formed between the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59. ) Is formed, a large amount of water enters between the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59, and a large amount of bubbles are generated by the entered water. When the bubbles adhere to the surfaces of the vibration plate 21 and the vibration plate 59, the ultrasonic vibrations are prevented from being transmitted to the lens case 11.

Therefore, the nozzle 36 directs the water flow generated by driving the pump Pm toward the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 21 (toward the lower end portion of the lens case 11 placed on the diaphragm 21). Injecting the bubbles prevents the bubbles from adhering to the surfaces of the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59. Therefore, the ultrasonic vibration can be reliably transmitted to the lens case 11.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the air layer 60 is formed in the upper portion of the lens case 11, the physiological saline is aired as the physiological saline is vibrated ultrasonically. Oxygen in the air of the layer 60 can be taken up. Therefore, the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated can be increased.

Furthermore, when hydrogen peroxide is added to physiological saline, hydrogen peroxide is decomposed in the physiological saline and hydroxyl radicals are generated, so that the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated can be increased. For example, when a commercially available oxidol containing hydrogen peroxide (concentration 3 [%]) was diluted about 10 times and added to physiological saline, the amount of hydroxyl radicals produced could be increased. In this case, since hydrogen peroxide generates hydroxyl radicals as it decomposes, it is not necessary to neutralize hydrogen peroxide with other agents after disinfection.

Thus, in this embodiment, since the hydroxyl radical is generated in the physiological saline and in the contact lens 13 by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer 22, the contact lens 13 is sufficiently disinfected. be able to.

Further, since it is not necessary to immerse the contact lens 13 in the treatment liquid for a long time, the contact lens 13 can be disinfected in a very short time. And since it is not necessary to neutralize a processing liquid after completion | finish of disinfection, the operation | work for disinfection can be simplified. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to disinfect the contact lens 13 by boiling, the contact lens 13 is not deteriorated by heat. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the durability of the contact lens 13 from being lowered.

When the ultrasonic transducer 22 is driven, the ultrasonic vibration generated on the front surface (surface on the vibration plate 21 side) of the ultrasonic transducer 22 is transmitted to the physiological saline via the vibration plate 21. . On the other hand, a hollow portion 37 is formed on the back surface of the ultrasonic transducer 22, and the air in the hollow portion 37 prevents the transmission of the ultrasonic vibration, so that the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted only forward. Is done. Therefore, ultrasonic vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the physiological saline. In the present embodiment, air is present in the hollow portion 37, but transmission of ultrasonic vibration can also be prevented by evacuating the hollow portion 37.

By the way, when the ultrasonic vibration generated by driving the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the physiological saline, not only the temperature of the physiological saline increases due to the vibration energy of the ultrasonic vibration but also the ultrasonic wave. The temperature of the vibrator 22 itself also increases. Furthermore, the temperature of the contact lens 13 increases with the generation of hydroxyl radicals.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the water in the treatment tank 35 transmits ultrasonic vibrations, cools the physiological saline and the contact lens 13 through the lens case 11, and cools the ultrasonic vibrator 22. It is like that. That is, water in the processing tank 35 is sucked by the pump Pm, sprayed by the nozzle 36, and circulated in the processing tank 35, thereby sufficiently cooling the physiological saline and the contact lens 13 through the lens case 11. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer 22 can be sufficiently cooled.

Further, when the drive circuit 68 is operated to drive the ultrasonic transducer 22, the transistor 44 (FIG. 2) constituting the drive circuit 68 generates heat, and the temperature of the drive circuit 68 increases. Heat is dissipated by attaching a heat sink.

Further, in order to suppress the increase in the temperature of the physiological saline, the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 itself, the temperature of the contact lens 13, or the temperature of the drive circuit 68, the ultrasonic vibrator 22. Can be driven intermittently.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic transducer drive processing means causes the ultrasonic transducer 22 to have a predetermined period τ.
6 [min] ≦ τ ≦ 20 [min]
Drive intermittently. In this case, if the time for which the ultrasonic transducer 22 is driven is τd and the time for which the ultrasonic transducer 22 is stopped is τs, the period τ is
τ = τd + τs
It is. If the time τd is long, the temperature rise of the drive circuit 68 cannot be suppressed.
τd ≦ τs
Furthermore, in this embodiment,
3 [minutes] ≦ τd = τs ≦ 10 [minutes]
To be. For example, when the ultrasonic transducer 22 is intermittently driven for 1 [hour] by setting the time τd and τs to 5 [minutes], the temperature of the drive circuit 68 increases by 15.7 [° C.]. This rise in temperature is almost the same as when the ultrasonic transducer 22 is continuously driven for 10 minutes.

As a result of experiments using the contact lens disinfection device 10 to sterilize bacteria such as Escherichia coli or inactivate viruses such as herpes virus, the ultrasonic transducer 22 has started to be driven. It was found that after 3 minutes, bacteria were sterilized and viruses were inactivated. Therefore, it is preferable to set the time τd and τs to 3 [min] or more.

As described above, since the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is intermittently driven, the temperature of the physiological saline, the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 itself, the temperature of the contact lens 13, and the like, or the temperature of the drive circuit 68 is increased. It can suppress rising. And since it can control that the temperature of physiological saline rises, it can control that the temperature of contact lens 13 rises, and it can prevent that contact lens 13 denatures. Furthermore, since the temperature of the drive circuit 68 can be suppressed from increasing, the heat sink attached to the drive circuit 68 can be reduced in size.

By the way, in this Embodiment, although the diaphragm 21 is used as a vibration transmission part, a box-shaped vibration body can be used as a vibration transmission part.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention that uses a box-like vibrating body as the vibration transmitting portion will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lens case is set in the contact lens disinfection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a disinfecting device main body, and the disinfecting device main body 71 includes a cylindrical body 72 as a casing, and a circuit unit as a closing member for closing a lower portion of the cylindrical body 72 and as a base. 73, a box-like vibrating body 75 as a support member disposed on the circuit unit 73, an ultrasonic transducer 22 that generates ultrasonic vibrations, and the like. The circuit unit 73 accommodates a control unit 67 (FIG. 7), a drive circuit 68, a basic oscillation circuit 46, a modulation circuit 47, and the like.

The cylindrical body 72 is formed by injection molding with a resin such as acrylic resin. The vibrating body 75 is made of metal, in the present embodiment, stainless steel, and is formed in a box shape by cutting the block material. The vibrating body 75 has a circular top wall (vibrating plate) 76 as a first wall portion and a vibration transmitting portion, and a second extending downward from the top wall 76. In the present embodiment, which is a cylindrical wall, a cylindrical side wall 77 is provided, and a locking portion 78 that is locked to the circuit portion 73 is provided at the center of the side wall 77. A circular opening Oj is formed at the lower end. The ultrasonic transducer 22 is attached (attached) to the lower surface of the top wall 76 with an adhesive. The thickness T of the top wall 76 is set to 1.5 [mm] or more and 1.7 [mm] or less.

The cylindrical body 72 and the circuit unit 73 are fixed, and the cylindrical tank 72 and the circuit unit 73 form a treatment tank 35 that stores water as a first medium. The top wall 76 constitutes the bottom of the processing tank 35.

Further, by attaching the vibrating body 75 to the circuit portion 73, the opening Oj is closed, and the hollow portion 37 surrounded by the vibrating body 75 and the circuit portion 73 is formed. The circuit portion 73 constitutes a sealed portion by a portion projecting upward, and an annular O-ring 80 as a seal member is disposed in the sealed portion.

In the first and second embodiments, the contact lens 13 is accommodated in a state of floating horizontally in the lens case 11, but the contact lens 13 is perpendicular to the lens case 11. Can be stored in a suspended state.

Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the present invention in which the contact lens 13 is accommodated while being vertically suspended in the lens case 11.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a lens case according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes a lens case. The lens case 81 is a bottomed container 82 integrally formed of glass or a resin such as acrylic resin, and serves as a lid member for closing the upper end of the container 82. A cap 83 and a lens housing portion 84 that is suspended from the cap 83 are provided. In the container 82, physiological saline as a second medium in an amount capable of sufficiently immersing the contact lens 13 is accommodated.

The container 82 has a circular bottom wall 86 and a cylindrical shape formed by rising from the bottom wall 86.
In the present embodiment, a cylindrical side wall 87 is provided. The lens housing portion 84 is provided with a partition 91 that extends downward from the cap 83 in a vertical direction, and is swingable with respect to the partition 91 and is openable and closable. Mesh-shaped

inner caps

92 and 93 as first and second inner lid members are formed, and first and second chambers r11 and r12 are formed between the partition 91 and the

inner caps

92 and 93. The The

inner caps

92 and 93 are formed with a number of holes (not shown) for communicating the inside and outside of the lens housing portion 84. The partition 91 is formed of a metal plate so that ultrasonic vibration can be easily transmitted.

The first and second chambers r11 and r12 can be opened and closed by swinging the

inner caps

92 and 93 with the hinges hg1 and hg2 as swinging fulcrums.

In the lens case 81 configured as described above, the lens housing portion 84 is taken out by removing the cap 83, physiological saline is put into the lens case 81, the

inner caps

92 and 93 are opened, and the first and second chambers r11, r11, The contact lens 13 is put into r12, the

inner caps

92 and 93 are closed, the lens housing portion 84 is inserted into the lens case 81, and the cap 83 is attached, so that the contact lens 13 is vertically suspended in the lens case 81. Can be accommodated in a state.

In the

inner caps

92 and 93 of the lens housing portion 84, the right-eye contact lens 13 and the left-eye contact lens 13 are separately placed in one of the first and second chambers r 11 and r 12, respectively. A mark is given so that

The lens case 81 is almost completely or completely immersed in water as the first medium in the treatment tank 35, and is on the diaphragm 21 in the first embodiment or in the second embodiment. It is placed on the top wall 76.

By the way, since the ultrasonic vibration has a high frequency, it has a straight traveling property. In this embodiment, when the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is driven, it may not pass through the contact lens 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a convex diffusion plate 95 as a diffusion member is attached to the bottom wall 86, and the ultrasonic vibration transmitted through the vibration plate 21 or the top wall 76 is transmitted to the diffusion plate 95. When transmitted, it is deflected in each direction to cause the physiological saline to vibrate ultrasonically. Therefore, the ultrasonic vibration can be reliably passed through the contact lens 13.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are given to those having the same structure as the first to third embodiments, and the effects of the same embodiment are used for the effects of the invention by having the same structure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a lens case according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, a diffusion plate 96 as a diffusion member having a quadrangular pyramid shape is attached to the lowermost part of the partition 91.

In each of the embodiments described above, the ultrasonic transducer 22 is disposed to disinfect the contact lens 13 and generates ultrasonic vibration having a frequency of 1.6 [MHz]. In addition to the vibrator 22, a cleaning ultrasonic vibrator is provided, and the ultrasonic vibrator for cleaning generates ultrasonic vibration having a frequency of 150 to 500 [kHz], which is lower than that of the ultrasonic vibrator 22. Can be generated. In that case, the control unit 67 first drives an ultrasonic transducer for cleaning to generate ultrasonic vibration with a frequency of 150 to 500 [kHz], cleans the contact lens 13, and subsequently ultrasonic vibration. The child 22 can be driven to disinfect the contact lens 13.

By the way, in the first embodiment, when the ultrasonic transducer 22 is driven, ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the lens case 11 and the physiological saline in the lens case 11, and water molecules and the lens case 11 are transmitted. The resin molecules constituting the side wall 51 (FIG. 5), the partition 52, the flange 53, the annular body 56, and the like are microvibrated to generate heat, and the temperature of the lens case 11 and the physiological saline increases.

In this case, the amount of heat generated, that is, the amount of heat generated is proportional to the output of the ultrasonic vibration. Therefore, when the output of the ultrasonic vibration is large, the side wall 51, the partition 52, the flange 53, the annular body 56, etc. are distorted. And the

caps

54 and 55 may be deformed.

In that case, when water enters between the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59 and bubbles are generated by the water that has entered, the bubbles are prevented from transmitting ultrasonic vibration to the lens case 11.

Therefore, a fifth embodiment of the present invention capable of suppressing deformation of the cap will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a lens case according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 11 is a lens case, 51 is a side wall, 52 is a partition, 53 is an annular flange, and the side wall 51, the partition 52 and the flange 53 constitute a case body 100.

Reference numerals

154 and 155 denote caps as first and second lid members. The

caps

154 and 155 include main bodies of the

caps

154 and 155, that is, the cap main body 161 and an O-ring 58 as a seal member. The cap main body 161 functions as a diaphragm as a second vibration transmission unit, and a plate-like metal, this embodiment, so that ultrasonic vibration from the diaphragm 21 (FIG. 1) is sufficiently transmitted. Is made of stainless steel and has a thickness of 1.5 [mm] or more and 1.7 [mm] or less in the same manner as the diaphragm 21.

The cap body 161 is formed into a dish shape by pressing (drawing), and has a body portion 164, a tubular portion 165 extending in a direction perpendicular to the outer peripheral edge of the body portion 164, and an upper end of the tubular portion 165. A flange portion 166 that extends radially outward from the (tip) is provided.

Caps

154 and 155 are attached to both ends of the side wall 51 by screwing a male screw formed on the side wall 51 and a female screw formed on the cylindrical portion 165, and the first and second chambers r <b> 1 are attached by O-rings 58. , R2 can be sealed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the

caps

154 and 155 are made of stainless steel, no heat is generated even if the stainless steel molecules are microvibrated. Therefore, the

caps

154 and 155 are not deformed.

As a result, water can be prevented from entering between the diaphragm 21 and the cap body 161, and bubbles can be prevented from being generated by the entered water. Can be transmitted reliably.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

(A) a processing tank containing the first medium and having a vibration transmission unit disposed at the bottom;
(B) a lens case that is detachably mounted on the processing tank and is slidably mounted on the vibration transmission unit, and that accommodates a contact lens and a second medium;
(C) an ultrasonic transducer that generates ultrasonic vibrations and transmits the ultrasonic vibrations to the vibration transmission unit;
(D) A contact lens disinfecting apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic vibrator driving processing unit that drives the ultrasonic vibrator to generate hydroxyl radicals in the second medium.
The contact lens disinfection device according to claim 1, wherein the vibration transmission unit is made of a metal diaphragm and transmits ultrasonic vibration to the lens case.
The contact lens disinfection device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a bubble adhesion preventing member that is disposed toward the vibration transmission unit and prevents bubbles from adhering to the vibration transmission unit.
The contact lens disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator drive processing means generates hydroxyl radicals in water in the contact lens.
The lens case according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a diaphragm that is vibrated by receiving ultrasonic vibrations transmitted from a vibration transmitting unit and transmits the ultrasonic vibrations to the second medium. Contact lens disinfection device.
The contact lens disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator drive processing means drives the ultrasonic vibrator intermittently.