EP0141607A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improved method for enxymatic cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses
Assignee: Bausch and Lomb Inc
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Filing: 1984-10-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Contact lenses are both cleaned and disinfected in aqueous solutions of proteolytic enzyme in a single-step by heating to a temperature of between 60 and 100°C. The cleaning and disinfecting process which may be conducted in one hour or less performs favorably against conventional methods wherein cleaning and disinfecting are conducted separately over a time period of up to twelve hours.
Inventors
- 👤 Lai Ogunbiyi
- 👤 Thomas Martin Riedhammer
- 👤 Francis Xavier Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:04
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/0005; C11D3/0078; A; A61; A61L; A61L12/00; A61L12/02; A61L12/04; C11D3/16; C11D3/38; C11D3/386; C11D3/38609
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
In a method of cleaning contact lenses by sequential soaking in an aqueous solution comprising a proteolytic enzyme followed by disinfecting the lenses, the improvement comprising heating the lenses in the aqueous enzyme solution to a temperature sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses in a single step in the same solution.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a method of cleaning contact lenses by sequential soaking in an aqueous solution comprising a proteolytic enzyme followed by disinfecting the lenses, the improvement comprising heating the lenses in the aqueous enzyme solution to a temperature sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses in a single step in the same solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the heating step is a cycle consisting of a heating phase followed by a cooling phase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cleaning and disinfection of the lenses is completed in 60 minutes or less.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the maximum temperature of,the enzyme solution during the heating phase is less than 100°C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the enzyme solution is heated to a maximum temperature of between about 60° and about 100°C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the enzyme solution contains papain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the enzyme solution contains pancreatin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a method of cleaning soft contact lenses by sequential soaking in an aqueous solution comprising a protease followed by disinfecting the lenses, the improvement comprising heating the lenses in the aqueous protease-containing solution to a temperature below 85°C to clean and disinfect the lenses in a single step, said cleaning and disinfecting being conducted in the same solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a method of cleaning soft contact lenses by sequential soaking in an aqueous solution comprising a protease followed by disinfecting the lenses, the improvement comprising heating the lenses in the aqueous protease-containing solution to a temperature below 85°C to clean and disinfect the lenses in a single step, said cleaning and disinfecting being conducted in the same solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the protease-containing solution includes amylase and the solution is substantially isotonic with lacrimal fluids.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the contact lenses are extended-wear type having a water content of at least 55% by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the solution is heated to a temperature of about 65 to about 75°C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a method of cleaning contact lenses by sequential soaking in an aqueous protease-containing solution followed by disinfecting the lenses, the improvement comprising heating the lenses in an aqueous solution of a microbial protease to a temperature sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses in a single step in the same solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a method of cleaning contact lenses by sequential soaking in an aqueous protease-containing solution followed by disinfecting the lenses, the improvement comprising heating the lenses in an aqueous solution of a microbial protease to a temperature sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses in a single step in the same solution.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the aqueous solution includes a microbial amylase.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution is raised to a maximum of between 60 and 100°C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the protease is derived from a Bacillus or Streptomyces bacteria or a Aspergillus mold.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the protease is derived from B. subtilis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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