US4287175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact lens wetting agents
Assignee: Merck and Co Inc
•
Filing: 1979-06-01
•
Granted: 1981-09-01
•
Expires: 1999-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A method of wetting a contact lens present in the human eye which comprises inserting a water soluble solid polymer into the cul-de-sac of the eye.
Inventors
- 👤 Irving M. Katz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:50
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L12/00; A61L12/08; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/0012; A61K9/0048; A61K9/0051
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for improving the comfort and wearing time of contact lenses comprising inserting into the eye of a contact lens wearer an insert consisting essentially of a solid polymer which is soluble in lacrimal fluids having a surface area of from about 5 to about 800 sq. mm., a length of from about 1-30 mm. and a width of height of from about 0.25 mm. to about 30 mm., said polymer being selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives, natural gums, starch derivatives, dextrose, polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylmethyl ethers, polyethylene oxide, acrylates, xanthan gums and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for improving the comfort and wearing time of contact lenses comprising inserting into the eye of a contact lens wearer an insert consisting essentially of a solid polymer which is soluble in lacrimal fluids having a surface area of from about 5 to about 800 sq. mm., a length of from about 1-30 mm. and a width of height of from about 0.25 mm. to about 30 mm., said polymer being selected from the group consisting of cellulose derivatives, natural gums, starch derivatives, dextrose, polyalkylene glycols, polyvinylmethyl ethers, polyethylene oxide, acrylates, xanthan gums and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer is hydroxypropyl cellulose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 having between 1-40% by weight of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the water content is between 5-20%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 where the hydroxypropyl cellulose has a molecular weight of from 10,000 to 1,000,000.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2703777A
Cited
US3947573A
Cited
US3767788A
Cited
US3856919A
Cited
US3863633A
Cited
US3845201A
Cited
US3978201A
Cited
US3935303A
Cited
US3868445A
Cited
US3875300A
Cited
US3987163A
Cited
US3911098A
Cited
US3920810A
Cited
US4003991A
Cited
US3991759A
Cited
US4039662A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-31 | 1985-03-02 | 1985-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-31 | 1989-03-02 | 1989-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-31 | 1993-03-02 | 1993-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |