Abstract: There is disclosed a contact lens disinfector unit for disinfecting contact lenses contained within a lens case. The disinfector unit includes a housing having a forward end wall and a rear end wall and a heating block within the housing. A resistive type heater is engaged with the block and is coupled to an electronic circuit and connector to adapt the unit for connection to a voltage source for causing the heating of a contact lens case in engagement with said block, and the contact lenses contained therein to a sterilizing temperature. The housing forward wall includes an aperture which slidingly receives a drawer having a pair of upstanding spaced apart panels and a contact lens case receiving aperture therebetween.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfector unit (10) includes a housing, heating means (20) within the housing and arranged to heat the contact lens case (21) and the contact lenses therein to a disinfecting temperature and for terminating the application of heat thereafter to allow the contact lenses to cool, and temperature indicating means (30) that includes a partially opaque viewing window (17) formed in the housing, a movable member (36) having a substantially planar surface (37) which includes temperature indicia corresponding to a "HOT" condition of the lens case, and a bi-metallic member (32) responsive to the temperature of the heating means (20) for moving the movable member planar surface toward and away from window (17) to indicate the "HOT" condition or a condition where the lens case is cool enough for handling.

Abstract: A unit (10) for disinfecting contact lenses includes a housing, heating means (20) arranged to heat a contact lens case (21) and the contact lenses therein and means (30) for indicating the temperature condition (HOT or COLD) of the lens case. The temperature indicating means includes a viewing window (17) formed in the housing, a prismatic lens (38) within the housing and behind the viewing window, and pivotally mounted indicia (39) behind the prismatic lens that indicates if the lens case is cool enough to handle following the disinfecting heating cycle.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfector unit (10) includes a housing, heating means arranged to heat the contact lenses and the associated lens case (21) to a disinfecting temperature and for thereafter terminating the application of heat to allow the contact lenses to cool, and temperature indicating means (30) for indicating if the lens case is cool enough for safe handling. The temperature indicating means includes a viewing window (17) having opaque portions (38) and transparent portions (37). The transparent portions are arranged to define a temperature indicia. The temperature indicator also includes a plate (35) which has indicia thereon corresponding to the temperature indicia and a surrounding opaque background. The plate is slidable with respect to the viewing window between two positions, one of which indicates that the lens case is too hot to handle, and the other of which indicates that the lens case is cool enough to handle.

Abstract: A contact lens disinfector unit (10) includes a housing having a top wall (15), a heating block (27) within the housing for heating the contact lens case (25) and the lenses therein, and a lens case receiving compartment (26) between the heating block and the top wall (15) having an opening in a side wall (18) of the housing for slidingly receiving the contact lens case. A lens case ejector (28) is slidingly mounted on the housing top wall (15) and includes an elongate member (57) extending into the lens case receiving compartment to provide a key for positioning the lens case base against the heating block. The ejector also forms a pusher (56) to engage the lens case. A barrier wall (27a) isolates the lens case compartment from a cavity (48a) in the housing that contains electrical circuitry. Springs (50) press the lens case against the heating block.

Abstract: Contact lens disinfector unit for sterilizing contact lenses contained within a lens case, wherein the contact lenses are of the type which preferably should be sterilized or disinfected once each day and periodically cleaned after a predetermined number of sterilizing or disinfecting cycles. The heating unit includes a housing in which is disposed a heating block arranged to contact the lens case, and circuit means operatively associated with the heating block and adapted to be coupled to a source of electric potential for utilizing electric current to apply heat to the heating block. The circuit applies the electric current for a sufficient period of time to attain a desired sterilizing temperature within the case, and then terminates the heating cycle allowing the lens case and the contact lenses to cool, thereby completing the overall sterilizing cycle.

Abstract: A hinge structure is disclosed for hingedly joining a cover or lid member with a base or housing member of an overall unit, such as a control lens disinfector, or the like. The base or container member carries, in opposing side wall portions, a pair of coaxial, axially spaced cylindrical bores or apertures, while the cover member carries, in opposing side wall portions, a pair of coaxial, axially spaced and oppositely outwardly extending rod-like pins or pintle members. The axial spacing of these pins or pintles is similar to that of the bores or apertures of the base member. A pair of slots or openings are provided in an end wall of the cover member, being generally adjacent the confluences of the respective side walls with the end wall, one such slot being disposed immediately axially inwardly of each of the pin or pintle members. Advantageously, the slots provide for resilient movement of the side wall portions of the cover member adjacent the pin or pintle members.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for performing medical procedures such as curettage, or the like, employing the use of an evacuated vessel, a cannula or similar form of medical implement and a valve arrangement for selectively applying the vacuum to the cannula. An improved vacuum indicator is included within the vessel for providing a positive visual indication as to the presence or absence of an acceptable vacuum level therein. In addition the disclosed embodiment includes a vial or the like for the collection of tissue samples within the vessel, a cover structure for the vessel including a shoulder for engaging the inner periphery of the vial and one or more resilient fingers in concentric arrangement with the shoulder for positively engaging a complementary flange or shoulder formed about the outer periphery of the vial.

Abstract: A sterilizer or aseptor for contact lenses and the like is disclosed, which provides a capsule adapted to both carry and sterilize a single set of contact lenses. The sterilizer includes a well adapted to receive the capsule, and when the well is heated, sterilizing action occurs within the capsule. A cover is locked into a closed position to prohibit access to the capsule and well when the well is heated to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a valve comprised of a valve body defining a cavity with inlet and outlet port means opening to and leading from said valve cavity. A plug member is rotatably disposed in said valve cavity and spaced from the bottom wall thereof to define a valve chamber, with the outlet port means leading from said chamber. The plug member includes an end segment disposed in said valve cavity and provided with a pair of concave, axial elongate surface portions opening to the end face of said segment, with said concave portions being separated by convexed surface portions. The concaved surface portion cooperates with the inner wall surface of the cavity to define a pair of relatively movable channels which can be placed in communication with the inlet port means to interconnect said inlet ports with the valve chamber. The segment of the plug disposed in said valve cavity is constructed from a resilient material, and of a slightly larger diameter than the valve cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum device for performing medical procedures such as a curettage, or the like. The device includes basically an evacuated vessel, a cannula or some other form of medical implement, and a valve arrangement for selectively applying the vacuum to the cannula. The present disclosure deals specifically with a novel valve arrangement for the device and various vacuum indicators that can be employed to provide a visual indication as to the presence of a vacuum within the vessel.