Abstract: An apparatus (100) for cleaning contact lenses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing (110) having first (112) and second (114) housing sections which are joinable to form a chamber for receiving the lens. Each of the housing sections has an operative face (118, 120, 124, 126) facing the chamber formed for receiving the lens. A reactive layer (122) is provided on a portion of each operative face and the operative faces and the reactive layers are dimensioned and arranged whereby the reactive layers come into engagement with respective surfaces of a lens (155) positioned therebetween when the first and second housing sections are joined together. A portion of at least one of the operative faces is recessed relative to the other operative face to define an open volume within the chamber when the first and second housing sections are joined together. The first and second housing sections can be constructed to be in fluid communication when the apparatus is in an opened position.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for cleaning contact lenses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing (110) having first (112) and second (114) housing sections which are joinable to form a chamber for receiving the lens. Each of the housing sections has an operative face (118, 120, 124, 126) facing the chamber formed for receiving the lens. A reactive layer (122) is provided on a portion of each operative face and the operative faces and the reactive layers are dimensioned and arranged whereby the reactive layers come into engagement with respective surfaces of a lens (155) positioned therebetween when the first and second housing sections are joined together. A portion of at least one of the operative faces is recessed relative to the other operative face to define an open volume within the chamber when the first and second housing sections are joined together. The first and second housing sections can be constructed to be in fluid communication when the apparatus is in an opened position.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for cleaning contact lenses comprising a deformable, non-abrasive material having an enzyme enriched layer for contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses. While in contact with the optical surfaces, the contaminants on the lens surfaces are enzymatically removed. Upon separation of the lenses and the deformable material, substantially all of the enzymes are retained on the deformable material, largely eliminating the need to perform additional operations to inactivate the enzymes or otherwise rid the lenses of residual enzymatic matter.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for cleaning contact lenses comprising a deformable, non-abrasive material having an enzyme enriched layer for contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses. While in contact with the optical surfaces, the contaminants on the lens surfaces are enzymatically removed. Upon separation of the lenses and the deformable material, substantially all of the enzymes are retained on the deformable material, largely eliminating the need to perform additional operations to inactivate the enzymes or otherwise rid the lenses of residual enzymatic matter.

Abstract: A self-contained single-use apparatus for cleaning and hydrating a pair of contact lenses comprises a housing including a pair of hollow snap-lock lens containers in which opposed layers of a deformable relatively hydrophobic reactive material having surfaces arranged for non-abrasive contiguous wetted contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses when the lenses are enclosed in the housings. While in contact with the optical surfaces contaminants in the lenses are attracted to the contacting surfaces of the reactive layers. Upon removal of the lenses the attracted contaminants remain on the contacting surfaces and are disposed of with the housing. The container contains sufficient absorbed liquid for maintaining the lens in a hydrated condition while being treated in the container during the treatment process.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for cleaning contact lenses comprising a deformable, non-abrasive material having an enzyme enriched layer for contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses. While in contact with the optical surfaces, the contaminants on the lens surfaces are enzymatically removed. Upon separation of the lenses and the deformable material, substantially all of the enzymes are retained on the deformable material, largely eliminating the need to perform additional operations to inactivate the enzymes or otherwise rid the lenses of residual enzymatic matter.

Abstract: A self-contained single-use apparatus for cleaning and hydrating a pair of contact lenses comprises a housing including a pair of hollow snap-lock lens containers in which opposed layers of a deformable relatively hydrophobic reactive material having surfaces arranged for non-abrasive contiguous wetted contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses when the lenses are enclosed in the housings. While in contact with the optical surfaces contaminants in the lenses are attracted to the contacting surfaces of the reactive layers. Upon removal of the lenses the attracted contaminants remain on the contacting surfaces and are disposed of with the housing. The container contains sufficient absorbed liquid for maintaining the lens in a hydrated condition while being treated in the container during the treatment process.

Abstract: A self-contained single-use apparatus for cleaning and hydrating a pair of contact lenses comprises a housing including a pair of hollow snap-lock lens containers in which opposed layers of a deformable relatively hydrophobic reactive material having surfaces arranged for non-abrasive contiguous wetted contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses when the lenses are enclosed in the housings. While in contact with the optical surfaces contaminants in the lenses are attracted to the contacting surfaces of the reactive layers. Upon removal of the lenses the attracted contaminants remain on the contacting surfaces and are disposed of with the housing. The container contains sufficient absorbed liquid for maintaining the lens in a hydrated condition while being treated in the container during the treatment process.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibody which reacts selectively with a transferrin homolog found in alcoholics but not in non-alcoholics. The invention also provides methods of making the antibody and hybridomas producing the antibody. Finally, the invention provides an immunoassay which utilizes the antibody to detect or quantitate the alcoholic transferrin homolog and a kit for an immunoassay which comprises a container of the antibody.

Abstract: A self-contained single-use apparatus for cleaning and hydrating a pair of contact lenses comprises a housing including a pair of hollow snap-lock lens containers in which opposed layers of a deformable relatively hydrophobic reactive material having surfaces arranged for non-abrasive contiguous wetted contact with the optical surfaces of the lenses when the lenses are enclosed in the housings. While in contact with the optical surfaces contaminants in the lenses are attracted to the contacting surfaces of the reactive layers. Upon removal of the lenses the attracted contaminants remain on the contacting surfaces and are disposed of with the housing. The container contains sufficient absorbed liquid for maintaining the lens in a hydrated condition while being treated in the container during the treatment process.

Abstract: A system by which contaminants from and below the surface of contact lenses may be electrokinetically removed. The system includes a protective encasement packet in which a lens is safely protected upon its removal from the eye, through the cleaning procedure, and until the lens is returned to the eye. The system includes also a cleaning assembly in which the lens as encased within the packet is decontaminated. The cleaning assembly includes surfaces positionable to contact the packet and from which electrical charges are transmitted to the lens. Under the influence of the electrical charges, contaminants are drawn off of and from below the surface of the lens.

Abstract: A packet including substance and of a construction by which a lens may be encased and by which the application of treatment procedures to the lens is facilitated. The packet is useful in protecting the lens from possible damage during the period when the lens is separated from the cornea and is being treated. The packet is useful in a lens decontamination system that includes also a cleaning assembly in which the lens as encased within the packet is decontaminated. The packet includes surfaces positionable to contact the packet and through which electrical charges are transmitted to the lens. Under the influence of the electrical charges, contaminants are drawn off of and from below the surface of the lens.

Abstract: A system by which contaminants from and below the surface of contact lenses may be electrokinetically removed. The system includes a protective encasement packet in which a lens is safely protected upon its removal from the eye, through the cleaning procedure, and until the lens is returned to the eye. The system includes also a cleaning assembly in which the lens as encased within the packet is decontaminated. The cleaning assembly includes surfaces positionable to contact the packet and from which electrical charges are transmitted to the lens. Under the influence of the electrical charges, contaminants are drawn off of and from below the surface of the lens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which permeable contact lenses may be cleaned through electrokinetic phenomenon is disclosed. The apparatus includes an receptacle in which a lens is supportively aligned between terminals by a member or members made from a pliant transmission media. As aligned, an electric current will be focused to flow only through the lens in order to efficiently and quickly decontaminate the lens.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning soft contact lenses by the application of an electrical field and comprising a base which is made of non-conducting material for holding a lens, a fluid capable of transmitting the electrical charge, means for containing the electrical charge transmitting fluid, means for providing a DC charge, means for creating separate electrical poles, and means composed of a substance which when immersed with the electrical charge transmitting fluid is capable of transmitting the electrical charge to at least one lens for the purpose of cleaning the lens.