Automatic tonometer tip disinfection apparatus

Abstract

A tonometer tip disinfection apparatus for disinfecting and rinsing a tonometer tip includes a first basin configured to hold a disinfecting solution, a second basin configured to hold a rinsing solution, a holding platform configured to receive at least one tonometer tip, a tonometer tip support arm configured to support a tonometer tip having a tip end in an orientation allowing the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and second basins, and a transportation assembly configured to automatically move the tonometer tip support arm between the first and second basins and the holding platform.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 399,900 filed on Jul. 20, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 516,090 filed on Mar. 28, 2011, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to eye-testing machines and apparatus and, more specifically, to an automatic tonometer tip disinfection apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One of the most common tools used in an eye exam is the Goldman Applanation Tonometer, which measures the eye pressure when a small plastic tip is gently placed against the anesthetized cornea. This small plastic tip must be disinfected between patients. The current recommended method is to leave the tip in 3% peroxide for 5 to 10 minutes, followed by rinsing in water. If, however, the plastic tip is left too long in the peroxide, corrosion will occur to the plastic and require it to be replaced at subst...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0013]Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a mechanical rotating timer 12 preferably mounted to a supportive base 14, for example, made of a plastic or like material. The base 14 supports or is otherwise affixed to or associated with a first basin 20 having a front wall 22, a back wall 24, and a side wall 26 preferably including a fluid level mark 28, which basin holds a disinfecting solution, for example, peroxide. In one embodiment, the fluid level of the rinsing solution is set to be higher than the fluid level of the disinfecting solution in order to ensure that the disinfecting solution is completely removed from the tonometer tip. The base 14 supports or is otherwise affixed to or associated with a second basin 30 having a front wall 32 preferably adjacent to or coextensively formed with the back wall 24 of the first basin 20, a preferably raised back wall 34, and a side wall 36 preferably including a fluid level mark 38, which basin holds a rinsing solution, for exa...

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 399,900 filed on Jul. 20, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 516,090 filed on Mar. 28, 2011, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to eye-testing machines and apparatus and, more specifically, to an automatic tonometer tip disinfection apparatus.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One of the most common tools used in an eye exam is the Goldman Applanation Tonometer, which measures the eye pressure when a small plastic tip is gently placed against the anesthetized cornea. This small plastic tip must be disinfected between patients. The current recommended method is to leave the tip in 3% peroxide for 5 to 10 minutes, followed by rinsing in water. If, however, the plastic tip is left too long in the peroxide, corrosion will occur to the plastic and require it to be replaced at subst...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0013]Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a mechanical rotating timer 12 preferably mounted to a supportive base 14, for example, made of a plastic or like material. The base 14 supports or is otherwise affixed to or associated with a first basin 20 having a front wall 22, a back wall 24, and a side wall 26 preferably including a fluid level mark 28, which basin holds a disinfecting solution, for example, peroxide. In one embodiment, the fluid level of the rinsing solution is set to be higher than the fluid level of the disinfecting solution in order to ensure that the disinfecting solution is completely removed from the tonometer tip. The base 14 supports or is otherwise affixed to or associated with a second basin 30 having a front wall 32 preferably adjacent to or coextensively formed with the back wall 24 of the first basin 20, a preferably raised back wall 34, and a side wall 36 preferably including a fluid level mark 38, which basin holds a rinsing solution, for exa...

Images