Contact Lens Tool Kit with Intermediary Capture Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Inserting contact lenses is challenging due to eye sensitivity and the risk of introducing foreign matter or residue, leading to discomfort or infection, and existing methods fail to ensure proper placement and sanitary conditions.

Innovation Solution

A contact lens tool kit with a capture portion and stack portion that form a fluid-tight seal, allowing for easy insertion and minimizing contact with the lens and solution, featuring deformable and rigid materials, annular grooves, and clefts for fluid flow, to facilitate optimal lens placement and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fingers are used to handle the contact lens during removal from storage and placement on the eye, then the lens can be manipulated and positioned, but foreign objects and residue may be introduced onto the lens and into the solution, resulting in discomfort or possible infection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLens manipulation and positioningVSAvoidForeign objects and residue introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tool as an intermediary device between the user's fingers and the contact lens. This tool includes a capture portion with an outer edge and annular groove for receiving the lens, and a stack portion that engages with the capture portion. The tool allows users to manipulate and position the lens without direct finger contact, thereby preventing foreign objects and residue from being introduced onto the lens or into the solution while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If direct skin-to-lens contact is made during lens placement, then the lens can be positioned on the eye, but there is a risk of introducing foreign matter onto the eye and forming air pockets between the lens and eye

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveLens placement on eyeVSAvoidForeign matter and air pockets on eye

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tool serves as a mediator during lens placement by holding the lens in its capture portion and allowing the user to transfer the lens to the eye without direct hand-to-eye contact. The tool's design enables controlled placement that minimizes the risk of introducing foreign matter onto the eye and reduces the formation of air pockets between the lens and eye surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple attempts are made to insert the contact lens, then the lens can eventually be placed on the eye, but a significant amount of time is required and the process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSuccessful lens insertionVSAvoidTime required for multiple insertion attempts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tool enables preliminary preparation of the lens by allowing users to remove the lens from storage, transfer it to the tool's capture portion, and position it correctly before approaching the eye. This preliminary action reduces the need for multiple insertion attempts by ensuring the lens is properly oriented and ready for placement, thereby saving time and improving successful insertion rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the contact lens tool uses only deformable material, then it can conform to the lens shape, but it lacks structural stability for precise engagement and sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveConformation to lens shapeVSAvoidStructural stability for engagement and sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is constructed using composite materials, combining a deformable capture portion that can conform to the contact lens shape with a more rigid stack portion that provides structural stability. The capture portion, made of deformable material, flexes to accommodate the lens and creates a secure fit, while the stack portion, made of rigid material, maintains the tool's overall structure and enables precise engagement and fluid-tight sealing between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS11534337B2Contact lens tool kit and method of using

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 INVENT HORIZON

AI summary

A contact lens tool kit for placement of a contact lens on an eye is provided. The tool kit may include a contact lens tool. The contact lens tool may include an outer edge for selectively engaging a contact lens. The tool kit may also include a lens housing for containing a contact lens, the lens housing selectively engageable with the tool. Engagement of the tool and the lens housing permits reception of the contact lens by the contact lens tool and disengagement of the two permits removal of the contact lens by the tool. The lens housing may include a removable seal for draining solution through an aperture of the contact lens tool or lens housing.