US4860885A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lens storage system
Assignee: Allergan Inc
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Filing: 1988-04-29
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Granted: 1989-08-29
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Expires: 2008-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A system useful for holding a lens device is disclosed and comprises: a chamber having a hollow interior space therein; a seal element capable of being placed in association with said chamber to substantially seal said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber; a carrier assembly sized and adapted to carry a lens device and to be placed in said interior space; and an absorbent member located in said interior space and capable of carrying a material which is released into said interior space over a period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert E. Kaufman
- 👤 Patricia M. Knight
- 👤 Shelley Buchen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:59
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00009; B29D11/00038; B29D11/00067; A; A45; A45C; A45C11/00; A45C11/005; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0095; A61F2/02; A61F2/14; A61F2/16; A61F2/1691
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A system useful for holding a lens device comprising: a chamber having a hollow interior space therein; seal means capable of being placed in association with said chamber to substantially seal said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber; absorbent means located in said interior space and capable of carrying a material which is capable of being released into said interior space over a period of time and; carrier means sized and adapted to carry a lens device and to be placed in said interior space so that the lens device being carried by said carrier means is out of direct contact with said absorbent means and is exposed to the material released into said interior space.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A system useful for holding a lens device comprising: a chamber having a hollow interior space therein; seal means capable of being placed in association with said chamber to substantially seal said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber; absorbent means located in said interior space and capable of carrying a material which is capable of being released into said interior space over a period of time and; carrier means sized and adapted to carry a lens device and to be placed in said interior space so that the lens device being carried by said carrier means is out of direct contact with said absorbent means and is exposed to the material released into said interior space.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said chamber includes an opening through which said lens device is removed from said interior space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said seal means acts in association with said opening to substantially seal said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carrier means is removable from said interior space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carrier means includes a first component and a second component sized and adapted so that said lens device can be located therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said absorbent means is wet with liquid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said absorbent means is substantially saturated with liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said liquid is an antibiotic liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said liquid is an aqueous antibiotic liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said absorbent means is made from a substance selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic sponges, polymeric foams, fabrics, fibers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carrier means is configured and placed within said interior space so that said lens device is in contact with the vapor in said interior space.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
121 words
A system comprising: a lens device to be stored prior to being associated with a living eye a chamber having a hollow interior space therein and an opening through which said lens device is removed from said interior space; seal means associated with said opening to substantially seal said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber; absorbent means located in said interior space and carrying a material which is capable of being released into said interior space over a period of time and; carrier means located in said interior space, and sized and adapted to carry said lens device out of direct contact with said absorbent means and to expose said lens device to the vapor in said interior space.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
A system comprising: a lens device to be stored prior to being associated with a living eye a chamber having a hollow interior space therein and an opening through which said lens device is removed from said interior space; seal means associated with said opening to substantially seal said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber; absorbent means located in said interior space and carrying a material which is capable of being released into said interior space over a period of time and; carrier means located in said interior space, and sized and adapted to carry said lens device out of direct contact with said absorbent means and to expose said lens device to the vapor in said interior space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said lens device is a corneal tissue lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said corneal tissue lens is at least partially hydrated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said corneal tissue lens is substantially fully hydrated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said carrier means is removable from said interior space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said carrier means includes a first component and a second component sized and adapted so that said lens device can be located therebetween and exposed to the vapor in said interior space.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said absorbent means is wet with liquid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said absorbent means is substantially saturated with liquid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said liquid is an antibiotic liquid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said liquid is an aqueous antibiotic liquid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 12 wherein said absorbent means is made from a substance selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic sponges, polymeric foams, fabrics, fibers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for storing a lens device in a chamber comprising: placing an absorbent member in the interior space of said chamber, said absorbent member in said chamber being wet with a liquid; placing and maintaining said lens device in said interior space of said chamber out of direct contact with said absorbent member and exposed to the vapor in said interior space; and substantially sealing said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for storing a lens device in a chamber comprising: placing an absorbent member in the interior space of said chamber, said absorbent member in said chamber being wet with a liquid; placing and maintaining said lens device in said interior space of said chamber out of direct contact with said absorbent member and exposed to the vapor in said interior space; and substantially sealing said interior space from the environment surrounding said chamber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said liquid is vaporized in said interior space over a period of time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said lens device in said interior space is at least partially hydrated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said lens device is substantially fully hydrated.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said lens device is a corneal tissue lens.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said absorbent member in the interior space of said chamber is substantially saturated with said liquid before said internal space is substantially sealed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said liquid is an antibiotic liquid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said liquid is an aqueous antibiotic liquid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
85 words
An assembly for carrying a lens device comprising: a first component and a second component sized and adapted to be coupled together so that a lens device can be located therebetween, each of said first and second components having a centrally located through hole and being configured so that when said first and second components are coupled at least one other hole is apparent through the coupled structure in fluid communication with the location of said lens device between said coupled first and second components.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
85 words
An assembly for carrying a lens device comprising: a first component and a second component sized and adapted to be coupled together so that a lens device can be located therebetween, each of said first and second components having a centrally located through hole and being configured so that when said first and second components are coupled at least one other hole is apparent through the coupled structure in fluid communication with the location of said lens device between said coupled first and second components.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The assembly of claim 31 wherein a plurality of said other holes are apparent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 31 wherein said first and second components are structured substantially identically.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
85 words
The assembly of claim 31 wherein said first component has a first end and a projection extending outwardly a first distance from said first end, and said second component has a second end and a recess extending inwardly a second distance from said second end and including at least one laterally extending opening, said second distance being greater than said first distance, and said projection of said first component being insertable into said recess of said second component to couple said first and second components.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The assembly of claim 34 wherein said recess includes a plurality of said laterally extending openings.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 34 wherein said first and second components are structured substantially identically.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 35 wherein said first and second components are structured substantially identically.
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) | 1992-08-28 | 1993-02-27 | 1993-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-28 | 1997-02-27 | 1997-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-28 | 2001-02-27 | 2001-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |