US4609493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solution and method for removing inorganic and organic deposits from contact lenses
Assignee: Alcon Research LLC
•
Filing: 1984-12-28
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2004-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A contact lens cleaning solution containing an enzyme having proteolytic activity and a surfactant, and optionally also a chelating agent and urea, and a method of cleaning contact lenses utilizing this solution are described. The solution and method effectively remove deposits of proteinaceous material, mucins, lipids and calcium located either on or beneath the surface of the lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Rolf Schafer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:23
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/16; C11D3/38; C11D3/386; C11D3/38618; C11D3/0005; C11D3/0078; C11D1/00; C11D1/66; C11D1/722
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
An aqueous contact lens cleaning solution, comprising from about 0.01 to 5.0 weight/volume percent of an enzyme having proteolytic activity and from about 0.02 to 1.0 weight/volume percent of an anionic surfactant of formula: R--O--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.z --CH.sub.2 --COOH (II) in which z is a whole number from 1 to 25 and R is a C 8 to C 18 hydrocarbon chain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
An aqueous contact lens cleaning solution, comprising from about 0.01 to 5.0 weight/volume percent of an enzyme having proteolytic activity and from about 0.02 to 1.0 weight/volume percent of an anionic surfactant of formula: R--O--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.z --CH.sub.2 --COOH (II) in which z is a whole number from 1 to 25 and R is a C 8 to C 18 hydrocarbon chain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The contact lens cleaning solution of claim 1, wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of pancreatin and papain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The contact lens cleaning solution of claim 1, further comprising from about 0.005 to 0.5 weight/volume percent of a calcium chelating agent selected from the group consisting of citric acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and combinations thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contact lens cleaning solution of claim 1, further comprising from about 0.02 to 1.0 weight/volume percent urea.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The contact lens cleaning solution of claim 3, wherein R and z in the formula (II) are a C 12 hydrocarbon chain and 10, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of cleaning a contact lens to remove deposits of proteinaceous material, mucins, lipids or calcium present on the lens, which comprises applying the contact lens cleaning solution of claim 1 to the lens.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |