US4312833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizing hydrophilic contact lenses
Assignee: Chauvin Pharmaceuticals Ltd
•
Filing: 1977-09-16
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Granted: 1982-01-26
•
Expires: 1997-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A sterilizing solution for contact lenses particularly those formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprises (a) an alkali metal salt of formic acid, and (b) an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymer and non-ionic surface active agent. The alkali metal salt and the iodophor are present in predetermined quantities such that the sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C. The iodophor and the alkali metal salt of formic acid may be packaged in solid or powdered form, particularly in unit doses, and made into solution at the point of use.
Inventors
- 👤 David Clough
- 👤 David J. Drain
- 👤 Gary C. F. Ruder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L12/00; A61L12/08; A61L12/10; A61L12/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of sterilizing a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer which comprises contacting the lens with an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents, said solution containing a sufficient quantity of an alkali metal salt of formic acid to reduce the available iodine level of the solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of sterilizing a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer which comprises contacting the lens with an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents, said solution containing a sufficient quantity of an alkali metal salt of formic acid to reduce the available iodine level of the solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the iodophor is a polyvinylpyrrolidone/iodine complex.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt of formic acid to reduce the available iodine level of the solution to substantially zero within a period of from 1 to 4 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the sterilizing solution contains sufficient iodophor to give an initial available iodine concentration of at least 20 ppm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 in which the sterilizing solution contains sufficient iodophor to give an initial available iodine concentration of from 20 to 300 ppm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 in which the sterilizing solution contains sufficient iodophor to give an initial available iodine level of from 25 to 100 ppm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the alkali metal salt is sodium formate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the alkali metal salt of formic acid is present in an amount of from 10 to 800 moles per mole of iodine in the iodophor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the alkali metal salt is present in an amount of from 100 to 400 moles per mole of iodine in the iodophor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the solution also contains a buffering agent to give the solution a final pH of from 5 to 8.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the solution contains a buffering agent in an amount sufficient to give the solution a final pH of from 7 to 7.5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the solution also contains a tonicity adjusting agent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
132 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of formic acid, and (b) a solid iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents; the aqueous solution being such that when the solid iodophor is added to a predetermined quantity of the aqueous solution, the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of formic acid, and (b) a solid iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents; the aqueous solution being such that when the solid iodophor is added to a predetermined quantity of the aqueous solution, the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 13 in which the aqueous solution of alkali metal salt is contained in a sterilized package containing said predetermined quantity of reducing agent solution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 13 in which the quantity of aqueous solution of alkali metal salt contained in said container is more than said predetermined quantity of aqueous solution and the aqueous solution also contains an antibacterial preservative agent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 13 in which the solid iodophor also contains sodium chloride to render the final sterilizing solution isotonic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 13 in which the solid iodophor comprises from 2 to 30 mg of the iodophor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 17 in which the solid iodophor also contains sodium chloride.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents and (b) a solid alkali metal salt of formic acid; the solid alkali metal salt and iodophor solution being such that when the solid alkali metal salt is added to a predetermined quantity of the iodophor solution, the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents and (b) a solid alkali metal salt of formic acid; the solid alkali metal salt and iodophor solution being such that when the solid alkali metal salt is added to a predetermined quantity of the iodophor solution, the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 19 in which the solid alkali metal salt also contains a buffering agent in an amount sufficient to give the final sterilizing solution a pH of from 5 to 8.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 19 in which the solid alkali metal salt also contains sodium chloride to render the final sterilizing solution isotonic.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 19 in which the solid alkali metal salt is present in a quantity of from 20 to 300 mg.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 22 in which the solid alkali metal salt also contains a buffering agent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 22 in which the solid alkali metal salt also contains sodium chloride.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
145 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of formic acid, and (b) an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents; the iodophor and alkali metal salt solutions being such that when a predetermined quantity of the iodophor solution is added to a predetermined quantity of the alkali metal salt solution, the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
145 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt of formic acid, and (b) an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents; the iodophor and alkali metal salt solutions being such that when a predetermined quantity of the iodophor solution is added to a predetermined quantity of the alkali metal salt solution, the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.; the reaction products of the iodophor and the alkali metal salt being non-toxic and a non-irritant.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 25, in which the alkali metal salt solution is contained in a sterilized package containing said predetermined quantity of alkali metal salt solution.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 25 in which the quantity of alkali metal salt solution contained in said container is more than said predetermined quantity of alkali metal salt solution and the alkali metal salt solution also contains an antibacterial preservative agent.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 25, in which one or both of the alkali metal salt and iodophor solutions contain sodium chloride to render the final sterilizing solution isotonic.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 25 in which one or both of the alkali metal salt and iodophor solutions contains a buffering agent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
118 words
A solid dosage unit form for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) a solid iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents and (b) a solid alkali metal salt of formic acid, the iodophor and alkali metal salt being such that on dissolution in a predetermined quantity of water to form a sterilizing solution the resulting sterilizing solution contains a sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
118 words
A solid dosage unit form for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (a) a solid iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents and (b) a solid alkali metal salt of formic acid, the iodophor and alkali metal salt being such that on dissolution in a predetermined quantity of water to form a sterilizing solution the resulting sterilizing solution contains a sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
A solid dosage unit form as claimed in claim 30 containing from 2 to 30 mg of iodophor and from 20 to 300 mg of alkali metal salt.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
A solid dosage unit form as claimed in claim 30 also containing sufficient sodium chloride to render the sterilizing solution isotonic.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
A solid dosage unit form as claimed in claim 30 also containing sufficient of a buffer to give the sterilizing solution a pH of from 5.0 to 8.0.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
125 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (i) a solid dosage unit form comprising (a) a solid iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents and (b) a solid alkali metal salt of formic acid and (ii) water; the iodophor and alkali metal salt being such that on dissolution in a predetermined quantity of water to form a sterilizing solution the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
125 words
A two-part pack for the production of a sterilizing solution for treating a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising (i) a solid dosage unit form comprising (a) a solid iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents and (b) a solid alkali metal salt of formic acid and (ii) water; the iodophor and alkali metal salt being such that on dissolution in a predetermined quantity of water to form a sterilizing solution the resulting sterilizing solution contains sufficient alkali metal salt to reduce the available iodine level of the sterilizing solution to substantially zero within a period of from 30 minutes to 8 hours at a temperature of from 20° to 25° C.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 34 in which the water is contained in a sterilized package containing said predetermined quantity of water.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
A two-part pack as claimed in claim 34 in which the quantity of water contained in said container is greater than the said predetermined quantity and the water also contains an antibacterial preservative agent.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of sterilizing a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer which comprises contacting the lens with an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents containing sufficient iodophor to give an initial available iodine concentration of at least 20 ppm, said solution containing an alkali metal salt of formic acid in an amount of from 10 to 800 moles per mole of available iodine in the iodophor.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of sterilizing a contact lens formed of a hydrophilic polymer which comprises contacting the lens with an aqueous solution of an iodophor selected from the group consisting of complexes of iodine with hydrophilic polymers and nonionic surface active agents containing sufficient iodophor to give an initial available iodine concentration of at least 20 ppm, said solution containing an alkali metal salt of formic acid in an amount of from 10 to 800 moles per mole of available iodine in the iodophor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 in which the iodophor is a polyvinylpyrrolidone/iodine complex.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 in which the sterilizing solution contains sufficient iodophor to give an initial available iodine concentration of from 20 to 300 ppm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 39 in which the sterilizing solution contains sufficient iodophor to give an initial available iodine level of from 25 to 100 ppm.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 in which the alkali metal salt is sodium formate.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 in which the alkali metal salt is present in an amount of from 100 to 400 moles per mole of iodine in the iodophor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 in which the solution also contains a buffering agent to give the solution a final pH of from 5 to 8.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 in which the solution contains a buffering agent in an amount sufficient to give the solution a final pH of from 7 to 7.5.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 in which the solution also contains a tonicity adjusting agent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-25 | 1985-07-27 | 1986-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-25 | 1989-07-27 | 1990-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-25 | 1993-07-27 | 1994-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |