Ophthalmic lens package and methods of its use
An ophthalmic lens package includes a pair of removably attached strip members and a pair of absorbent members sandwiched therebetween.
This application is a non-provisional filing of a provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/717,493, filed on Sep. 15, 2005.
1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ophthalmic lens package and, more particularly, to an ophthalmic lens package adapted for improved accessibility to the contents thereof.
1. Background of the Invention Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses, intra-ocular lenses and overlay lenses and particularly disposable contact lenses, have been conventionally packaged in “blister packs.” In general, a blister pack comprises a rigid plastic (e.g., polypropylene), concave-shaped receptacle for receiving an ophthalmic lens and a flexible cover, typically made from a laminate material (such as metal foil), which is removably attached to the receptacle for enclosing the lens therein. Within each blister pack are a single ophthalmic lens and a sufficient amount of contact lens solution to prevent drying of the ophthalmic lens and to maintain the ophthalmic lens readily available for use. While conventional blister packs provide many users with a convenient means for shipping and storing ophthalmic lenses, some users have difficulty grasping the cover portion of the blister package and are frustrated by the process. This frustration can encourage those users to use sharp instruments to open their packages which can damage both the user and the lens. Accordingly, there is a need for an ophthalmic lens package that provides easy access to its contents (i.e., contact lens and contact lens solution) on a consistent basis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFor a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The invention includes an ophthalmic lens package, comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member; a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member; said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position, said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed.
As used herein, “ophthalmic lens” refer to a device that resides on the eye, including but not limited to soft contact, lenses, hard contact lenses, intraocular lenses, overlay lenses, preferably soft contact lenses.
Referring to
Referring to
The absorbent members 16, 18 are saturated with contact lens solution (not shown in the Figures), which can be any known solution useful for storing contact lenses. Examples of contact lens solution include but are not limited to saline solution, water or buffered aqueous solutions, and the preferred solution is aqueous saline solution. The contact lens solution is present in a quantity sufficient to keep the contact lens 60 saturated to retain its intended shape (i.e. convex shape) and softness when released from package 10.
Referring now to
Referring to
The strip members 12, 14 are each, preferably, manufactured from a foil/polymer laminate or coextrusion, comprising a metal layer, such as aluminum, and a polymer layer, such as polypropylene, coating the metal layer. Alternatively, the strip members 12, 14 can be manufactured from other materials, such as a combination of polymers with various barrier and sealing characteristics formed into a laminate or coextrusion. Finger sleeve 40 and 41 (described below) may be manufactured from the same materials as strip member 12 and 14, or from other flexible materials such as polymers or foils that are not laminates or coextrusion products. Each of the absorbent members 16, 18 is preferably manufactured from an absorbent sponge material, such as MEROCEL® brand polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponge, manufactured by Medtronic Xomed, Inc. Each of the absorbent members may be manufactured from other materials. The material of the absorbent member should be should be able to absorb about 500 μL to about 1500 μL of solution, more preferably about 900 μL to about 1,000 μL.
As previously mentioned, the absorbent members 16, 18 are, preferably, separate and distinct members. Alternatively, the package 10 may include a single frangible absorbent member capable of being torn apart at a weakened section along its medial axis (not shown in the Figures) when the package 10 is opened in the manner previously described.
The invention includes a method of packaging an ophthalmic lens comprising inserting an ophthalmic lens between a first absorbent member and
-
- a second absorbent member of a package, said package comprises a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and said first absorbent member wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein a portion of said first side further comprises an annular sealing area which surrounds the perimeter of said first absorbent member;
- a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and said second absorbent member, wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein said first side further comprises an annular sealing area which surrounds the perimeter of said second absorbent member wherein said first and second absorbent members receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed; and
- sealing said annular sealing area of said first strip member to said annular sealing area of said second strip member to close said package.
Further the invention includes ophthalmic lens package, comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member;
- a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member;
- said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position, said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed,
- wherein said second side of said first strip member further comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip member to an insertion aid.
Still further the invention includes a method of inserting an ophthalmic lens into the eye of a user comprising opening a package comprising a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member;
- a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member,
- said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position, said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive .and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed,
- wherein said second side of said first strip member further comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip member to an insertion aid and said second absorbent member comprises a die cut “X”;
- inserting user's finger between said means for holding and said first strip member
- inserting the ophthalmic lens which is removably adhered to said first absorbent member into the user's eye.
It will be understood that the embodiments described herein is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Specifically, the present invention has been adapted for use in housing a single ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution. However, the present invention can be utilized to house a plurality of ophthalmic lenses and an amount of solution therefor. Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on a reading of the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is given below by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An ophthalmic lens package, comprising
- a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member;
- a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member;
- said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position,
- said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed.
2. The package of claim 1, further comprising means for separating said first and second strip members from each other.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein the means for separating said first and second strip members from each other comprises a first tab extending from said first strip member and a second tab extending from said second strip member wherein both tabs are juxtaposed when said package is in the closed position.
4. The package of claim 1 wherein said second absorbent member further comprises a die cut “X”
5. The package of claim 4 wherein said second side of said first strip member further comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip member to an insertion aid.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein said insertion aid is a user's finger.
7. The package of claim 1 wherein said means for holding said second side of said first strip member is a finger sleeve.
8. The package of claim 1 wherein said means for holding said second side of said first strip is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
9. The package of claim 5, further comprising illustrated or printed instructions that instruct the user to open said package.
10. The package of claim 1 further comprising illustrated or printed instructions that instruct the user to open said package.
11. The package of claim 5, further comprising illustrated or printed instructions that instruct the user to open the package and insert ophthalmic
12. The package of claim 1 wherein the second absorbent member is modified to enable the ophthalmic lens to adhere to the first absorbent member when the package is opened.
13. A method of inserting an ophthalmic lens into the eye of a user comprising opening a package comprising
- a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a first absorbent member, wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said first strip member;
- a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and a second absorbent member wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side of said second strip member,
- said first and second strip members being removably attached each other when said package is closed position, said first and second absorbent members being adapted to receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed,
- wherein said second side of said first strip member further comprises a means for holding said second side of said first strip member to an insertion aid and
- said second absorbent member comprises a die cut “X”;
- inserting user's finger between said means for holding and said first strip member
- inserting the ophthalmic lens which is removably adhered to said first absorbent member into the user's eye.
14. A method of packaging an ophthalmic lens comprising inserting an ophthalmic lens between a first absorbent member and a second absorbent member of a package, said package comprises
- a first strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and said first absorbent member wherein said first absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein a portion of said first side further comprises an annular sealing area which surrounds the perimeter of said first absorbent member;
- a second strip member comprising a first side, a second side, and said second absorbent member, wherein said second absorbent member is attached to a portion of said first side, wherein said first side further comprises an annular sealing area which surrounds the perimeter of said second absorbent member wherein said first and second absorbent members receive and house an ophthalmic lens and an amount of solution when said package is closed; and
- sealing said annular sealing area of said first strip member to said annular sealing area of said second strip member to close said package.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 15, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2007
Inventors: Donnie Duis (Jacksonville, FL), George Himes (Jacksonville, FL)
Application Number: 11/522,233
International Classification: A45C 11/04 (20060101);