Ultrasonic Cleaning of Contact Lenses via Cavitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current contact lens cleaning methods are often cumbersome, costly, and can lead to allergic reactions and eye infections due to the use of harsh chemicals, while existing ultrasonic cleaning methods are ineffective for soft materials like contact lenses and require complex setups or heating cycles.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic cleaning method using a standard two-chambered liquid impermeable contact lens case submerged in an aqueous medium, such as sterile saline or contact lens solution, within an ultrasonic device operating at 50-60 Hz and 20-117 watts, allowing for efficient cleaning in a few minutes without the need for heating or chemical disinfectants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cleaning methods using chemical cleaners are used, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but harmful effects occur including allergic reactions and eye infections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidallergic reactions and eye infections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical cleaning mechanisms with ultrasonic vibration mechanisms. The ultrasonic cleaner uses mechanical vibrations at high frequency to generate cavitation bubbles in the cleaning fluid, which physically remove contaminants from the contact lens surface without requiring harsh chemicals, thus eliminating allergic reactions and eye infections while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the cleaning parameter from chemical composition to physical vibration frequency and intensity. By adjusting ultrasonic frequency (typically 20-100 kHz) and power levels, the system achieves effective cleaning through physical means rather than chemical means, thereby removing harmful effects associated with chemical cleaners

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If ultrasonic cleaning is used for contact lenses, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and setup requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsetup requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the ultrasonic cleaner universal by allowing it to clean various types of contact lens containers and lens types (soft and rigid) using the same basic mechanism. The standardized ultrasonic cleaning process can be applied to different container designs and lens materials without requiring specialized equipment for each type, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If heating cycles are added to ultrasonic cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but time consumption and energy usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuous ultrasonic vibration throughout the cleaning process without interrupting for heating cycles. The ultrasonic waves continuously generate cavitation bubbles that physically remove contaminants, eliminating the need for separate heating phases. This continuous action reduces total cleaning time and energy consumption while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness through sustained mechanical agitation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method effectively removes surface contaminants, prolongs contact lens clarity and life, is hypoallergenic, and suitable for all contact lens types, including soft lenses, while being economical and simple to use, thus enhancing user comfort and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic device operating at 50-60 Hz and 20-117 watts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The contact lens case is suspended in a free-floating manner in the aqueous housing of the ultrasonic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS7494548B2Method of cleaning contact lenses via sonication

Publication Date: 2009.02.24 SIMONETTE REBECCA ANN

AI summary

A process for cleaning all types of contact lenses by placing each contact lens in individual compartments of a liquid impermeable lens storage container filled with an aqueous medium such as sterile saline or sterile lens cleaning solution, floating the liquid impermeable storage container in an ultrasonic device operating at a frequency of 50-60 Hz and a wattage of 20-117 watts.