Patent US5328846A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5328846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for removing exogenous deposits from hydrophilic contact lenses
Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
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Filing: 1993-10-18
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Granted: 1994-07-12
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Expires: 2013-10-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention describes a method and composition for removing exogenous mucin and protein-mucin deposits from hydrophilic contact lenses.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick C. Wedler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:20
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/16; C11D3/38; C11D3/386; C11D3/0005; C11D3/0078; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S134/00; Y10S134/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for removing mucin and mucin-containing deposits from a contact lens, which method comprises: providing a contact lens cleaning solution comprising a buffering agent, a mucin degrading enzyme and calcium ions in an amount sufficient to maintain said enzyme's stability, said mucin-degrading enzyme consisting of alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis, in an effective amount sufficient to remove a mucin or mucin-containing deposit from a contact lens; placing a contact lens having a mucin or mucin-containing deposit in contact with said cleaning solution at or near room temperature; and allowing a sufficient period of time to elapse to allow for said removal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for removing mucin and mucin-containing deposits from a contact lens, which method comprises: providing a contact lens cleaning solution comprising a buffering agent, a mucin degrading enzyme and calcium ions in an amount sufficient to maintain said enzyme's stability, said mucin-degrading enzyme consisting of alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis, in an effective amount sufficient to remove a mucin or mucin-containing deposit from a contact lens; placing a contact lens having a mucin or mucin-containing deposit in contact with said cleaning solution at or near room temperature; and allowing a sufficient period of time to elapse to allow for said removal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solution contains a protease suitable for removing a proteinaceous deposit from a contact lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 with the added step of: finger rubbing said contact lens to remove mucin and mucin containing deposits, said finger rubbing occurring when said contact lens is in contact with said cleaning solution.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for removing mucin and mucin-containing deposits from a contact lens, which method comprises: providing a contact lens cleaning solution comprising a mucin-degrading enzyme composition consisting essentially of alpha-amylase from, Bacillus licheniformis, said alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis present in an effective amount sufficient to remove a mucin or mucin-containing deposit from a contact lens, said contact lens cleaning solution further including a buffering agent and calcium ions in an amount sufficient to maintain enzyme stability; placing a contact lens having a mucin or mucin-containing deposit in contact with said cleaning solution at or near room temperature; and allowing a sufficient period of time to elapse to allow for said removal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for removing mucin and mucin-containing deposits from a contact lens, which method comprises: providing a contact lens cleaning solution comprising a mucin-degrading enzyme composition consisting essentially of alpha-amylase from, Bacillus licheniformis, said alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis present in an effective amount sufficient to remove a mucin or mucin-containing deposit from a contact lens, said contact lens cleaning solution further including a buffering agent and calcium ions in an amount sufficient to maintain enzyme stability; placing a contact lens having a mucin or mucin-containing deposit in contact with said cleaning solution at or near room temperature; and allowing a sufficient period of time to elapse to allow for said removal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the solution contains a protease suitable for removing a proteinaceous deposit from a contact lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 4 with the added step of: finger rubbing said contact lens to remove mucin and mucin containing deposits, said finger rubbing occurring when said contact lens is in contact with said cleaning solution.
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) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |