EP0384666B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and composition for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses
Assignee: Bausch and Lomb Inc
•
Filing: 1990-02-16
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Granted: 1994-11-09
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Expires: 2010-02-16
Abstract
Abstract Contact lenses are simultaneously cleaned and disinfected by contacting the lenses with an aqueous system containing an antimicrobial agent and a proteolytic enzyme for a period sufficient to clean and disinfect the lenses. The aqueous solutions have suitable osmotic values which do not substantially inhibit the activity of the antimicrobial agent.
Inventors
- 👤 Mary F. Mowrey-Mckee
- 👤 David W. Proud
- 👤 George E. Minno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/18; C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/48; A61L12/00; A61L12/08; A61L12/14; A61L12/141; A61L12/142; A61L12/143; A61L12/145; A61P; A61P27/00; A61P27/02; C11D3/0005; C11D3/0078; C11D3/16; C11D3/38; C11D3/386; C11D3/38618
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for simultaneously cleaning and disinfecting a contact lens, wherein the lens is contacted with an aqueous system containing a proteolytic enzyme and a disinfecting amount of an antimicrobial agent selected from ophthalmically-suitable polymeric quaternary ammonium salts and polymeric biguanides, said aqueous system having an osmotic value which is adjusted such that the system is capable of reducing the microbial burden by at least two log orders in four hours when tested against Serratia marcescens .
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to Claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial agent and the proteolytic enzyme are in an aqueous solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the antimicrobial agent and the proteolytic enzyme are contacted with the lenses at ambient temperatures.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
16 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the aqueous solution contains a tonicity adjusting agent.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
15 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the antimicrobial agent is a polymeric biguanide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to Claim 5, wherein said polymeric biguanide is a hexamethylene biguanide polymer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
15 words
A method according to any one of Claims 1-4, wherein the antimicrobial agent is α[4-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonio-2-butenyl-ω-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonio]dichloride.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
17 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the osmotic value is less than 800 m0sm./kg. water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to Claim 8, wherein the osmotic value is from 200 to 600 m0sm./kg. water.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
36 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the proteolytic enzyme is in a powder or tablet form and is dissolved in a disinfecting solution containing water and the antimicrobial agent to prepare said aqueous system.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
16 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the aqueous system additionally contains a buffering agent.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
15 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the aqueous system additionally contains a surfactant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
An aqueous composition for cleaning and disinfecting a contact lens, comprising a proteolytic enzyme and a disinfecting amount of an antimicrobial agent selected from ophthalmically-suitable polymeric quaternary ammonium salts and polymeric biguanides, said aqueous composition having a pH of 6.5-8.5 and an osmotic value which is adjusted so that the composition is capable of reducing the microbial burden by at least two log orders in four hours when tested against Serratia marcescens .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composition according to Claim 13, wherein the composition is prepared by mixing said proteolytic enzyme in a disinfecting solution containing said antimicrobial agent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein the antimicrobial agent is a polymeric biguanide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composition according to Claim 15, wherein said polymeric biguanide is a hexamethylene biguanide polymer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composition according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein the antimicrobial agent is α[4-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonio-2-butenyl-ω-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonio]dichloride.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A composition according to any one of Claims 13-17, wherein the osmotic value of the composition is less than 800 m0sm./kg. water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A composition according to any one of Claims 13-18, wherein a tonicity adjusting agent or a buffering agent, or both, are also present.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A composition according to any one of Claims 13-19, wherein a surfactant is also present.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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