JP5101681B2 - Contact lens disinfection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a contact lens disinfection device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a contact lens disinfection device has been provided that disinfects a contact lens with a treatment liquid so that a contact lens such as a hard contact lens or a soft contact lens can be used repeatedly.

  This type of contact lens disinfection device includes a lens case. A treatment liquid having a predetermined disinfection (sterilization) effect is accommodated in the lens case, and the contact lens is disinfected by being immersed in the treatment liquid for a predetermined time. be able to.

  There is also provided a contact lens disinfection device that disinfects contact lenses by boiling. This type of contact lens disinfection device includes a storage chamber for storing a lens case, a heater for heating the wall of the storage chamber, and the like, and the contact lens is used for boiling water, physiological saline, and the like stored in the lens case. When the lens case is immersed in the solution, the lens case is set in the storage chamber, and the heater is energized, the lens case is heated, and the boiling solution in the lens case is heated and boiled. In this way, the contact lens can be sterilized (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-20869 A

  However, the conventional contact lens disinfection device cannot sufficiently kill the Acanthamoeba, which is the cause of damage to the cornea of the eye. This is because the Acanthamoeba becomes a cyst having a double wall in the processing solution or boiling solution, and becomes extremely strong against the processing solution or heat.

  In addition, when disinfecting a contact lens with a treatment liquid, it is necessary not only to immerse the contact lens in the treatment liquid for a long time, but also to neutralize the treatment liquid after the disinfection is completed. Work is troublesome.

  And when disinfecting a contact lens by boiling, since a contact lens deteriorates with a heat | fever, durability of a contact lens will fall.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional contact lens disinfection device, can sufficiently disinfect the contact lens, simplifies the work for disinfection, and improves the durability of the contact lens. It is an object of the present invention to provide a contact lens disinfecting apparatus that can prevent the deterioration.

Therefore, in the contact lens disinfecting apparatus of the present invention, a treatment tank that contains the first medium and has a first vibration transmission portion made of a plate-like metal at the bottom, and the treatment tank The first vibration transmitting portion, which is detachably disposed and can be placed on the first vibration transmitting portion, is made of a plate-like metal, and is placed on the first vibration transmitting portion. A second vibration transmission section that is in close contact with the lens case, a lens case for housing the contact lens and the second medium, and an ultrasonic vibration that is generated via the first vibration transmission section. An ultrasonic transducer that transmits to the transmission unit, a nozzle that injects a first medium toward the lower end of the lens case and prevents bubbles from adhering to the first and second vibration transmission units; Drives the ultrasonic transducer to generate hydroxyl radicals in the second medium And a ultrasonic transducer driving process means that.
The lens case includes a side wall, first and second lid members that close both ends of the side wall, and first and second chambers that are disposed in the side wall to accommodate the contact lens. A partition is provided.
In addition, the second vibration transmitting portion projects the outer surface of the main body portion from the outer surface of the end walls of the first and second lid members by a predetermined amount, and makes the first and second lid members Each is formed.

According to the present invention, in the contact lens disinfecting apparatus, a treatment tank containing a first medium and having a first vibration transmission portion made of a plate-like metal at the bottom, and the treatment tank The first vibration transmitting portion, which is detachably disposed and can be placed on the first vibration transmitting portion, is made of a plate-like metal, and is placed on the first vibration transmitting portion. A second vibration transmission section that is in close contact with the lens case, a lens case for housing the contact lens and the second medium, and an ultrasonic vibration that is generated via the first vibration transmission section. An ultrasonic transducer that transmits to the transmission unit, a nozzle that injects a first medium toward the lower end of the lens case and prevents bubbles from adhering to the first and second vibration transmission units; Driving the ultrasonic transducer to generate hydroxyl radicals in the second medium And a ultrasonic transducer drive processing unit.
The lens case includes a side wall, first and second lid members that close both ends of the side wall, and first and second chambers that are disposed in the side wall to accommodate the contact lens. A partition is provided.
In addition, the second vibration transmitting portion projects the outer surface of the main body portion from the outer surface of the end walls of the first and second lid members by a predetermined amount, and makes the first and second lid members Each is formed.

In this case, since bubbles are prevented from adhering to the first and second vibration transmitting portions, the ultrasonic vibration can be reliably transmitted to the second medium.
Further, since the ultrasonic vibrator is driven to generate hydroxyl radicals in the second medium, the contact lens can be sufficiently disinfected.

  And since it is not necessary to immerse a contact lens in a process liquid for a long time, a contact lens can be disinfected in a very short time. In addition, since it is not necessary to neutralize the treatment liquid after the disinfection is completed, the work for disinfection can be simplified.

  Furthermore, since it is not necessary to disinfect the contact lens by boiling, the contact lens is not deteriorated by heat. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the durability of the contact lens from being lowered.

It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the state which set the lens case in the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which set the lens case in the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the lens case in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the lens case in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a control block diagram of the contact lens disinfection device in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the operation / display panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart showing operation | movement of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator drive processing means in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which set the lens case in the contact lens disinfection apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the lens case in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the lens case in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a state in which a lens case is set in a contact lens disinfection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an inside view of the contact lens disinfection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a contact lens disinfection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a contact lens disinfection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lens case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the main part of the lens case according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 10 is a contact lens disinfection device, 11 is a lens case set in the contact lens disinfection device 10, 13 is a pair of contact lenses accommodated in the lens case 11, and 14 is outside the contact lens disinfection device 10. A case 15 is a main body of the contact lens disinfection device 10, that is, a disinfection device main body, 20 is a bottom as a bottom wall surrounding the lower end of the case 14, 43 is a control board, and 44 is a semiconductor. It is a transistor as a switching element.

  The disinfecting device main body 15 includes a cylindrical body 16 as a first housing integrally formed with the case 14, a cover Cv as an opening / closing member disposed at an upper end of the cylindrical body 16, and the cylindrical shape A diaphragm 21 as a first closing member that closes a predetermined portion below the body 16 and as a first vibration transmitting portion, and is attached to the lower surface of the diaphragm 21 with an adhesive. Attached), an ultrasonic transducer 22 for generating ultrasonic vibrations, a presser 23 as a second housing for attaching the diaphragm 21 to the cylindrical body 16, and a second end for closing the lower end of the presser 23 A lid (lid) body 24 or the like as a closing member is provided, and a treatment tank 35 for containing water as a first medium is formed by the cylindrical body 16 and the diaphragm 21.

  The cover Cv is swingably attached to the cylindrical body 16 via a hinge hg, and an annular protrusion 49 as a movement preventing member is formed on the lower surface so as to protrude downward. When the cover Cv is closed, the protrusion 49 surrounds the lens case 11 and prevents the lens case 11 from moving in the processing tank 35. Note that the shape of the protrusion can be set so that the lens case 11 can be pushed when the cover Cv is closed.

  An operation / display panel 97 is disposed on the front surface of the case 14, and a heat sink 98 is disposed on the rear surface as a heat radiating portion for cooling the transistor 44.

  The lens case 11 is disposed so as to be detachable from the processing tank 35 and mounted on the vibration plate 21. In FIG. 1, La represents the level of water. The ultrasonic transducer 22 is connected to a drive circuit, which will be described later, by a conducting wire 30 to generate ultrasonic vibration at a predetermined frequency, which is 1.6 [MHz] in the present embodiment. Transmit to the plate 21.

The case 14, the cover Cv, and the presser 23 are formed by injection molding using a resin such as an acrylic resin. Further, the diaphragm 21 is made of a plate-like metal, in the present embodiment, stainless steel, and is formed into a disk shape by performing press working (punching) on the plate material. When the sound velocity in the material forming the diaphragm 21 is C and the frequency (resonance frequency) of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is f, the thickness T of the diaphragm 21 is
T = C / 2f
To be.

  In the present embodiment, stainless steel is used as the vibration plate 21 and the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is adhered to the vibration plate 21 with an adhesive. Therefore, the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 itself and the ultrasonic wave The resonance frequency of the vibration part composed of the vibrator 22 and the diaphragm 21 is different. Therefore, when ultrasonic vibration is generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 22 at a frequency f of 1.6 [MHz], the frequency generated by the vibration part (actually, the vibration plate 21 faces the treatment tank 35). Therefore, the frequency (f) generated by the diaphragm 21 changes in the range of 1.6 [MHz] or more and 1.8 [MHz] or less. Since the sound velocity C in the stainless steel is 5800 [m / s], the thickness T is set to 1.5 [mm] or more and 1.7 [mm] or less.

  In addition, the cylindrical body 16 is a cylindrical side wall 26 as a first wall portion formed so as to protrude upward and downward from the case 14. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical side wall 26, An annular bottom wall 27 as a second wall portion formed radially inward from the lower end, and a predetermined portion of the bottom wall 27, in the present embodiment, the center of the bottom wall 27 in the radial direction In the present embodiment, which is a cylindrical wall as a third wall portion extending downward from the portion, a cylindrical protruding wall 28 is provided, and a circular opening Ot is provided at the upper end of the side wall 26, and the bottom wall 27. A circular opening Om is formed at the inner periphery of the projection wall 28, and a circular opening Ob is formed at the lower end of the protruding wall 28.

  The presser 23 has a cylindrical side wall 31 formed adjacent to the projecting wall 28 radially inward from the projecting wall 28, and an annular shape formed radially inward from the lower end of the side wall 31. By fixing the presser 23 to the cylindrical body 16, the diaphragm 21 is pressed against the bottom wall 27, and the opening Om is closed to form the bottom of the treatment tank 35. The

  For this purpose, the bottom wall 27 forms a sealed portion by a portion protruding radially inward from the upper end of the protruding wall 28, and an annular O-ring 34 as a seal member is disposed in the sealed portion. . Further, a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the protruding wall 28 and a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 31, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm 21 is hermetically sealed by screwing the female screw and the male screw together. Pressed against the part.

  A nozzle 36 as a bubble adhesion preventing member is disposed in the processing tank 35 toward the vibration plate 21, and the nozzle 36 prevents bubbles from adhering to the vibration plate 21. For this purpose, the nozzle 36 is connected to a pump (not shown), and jets a flow of the medium generated by driving the pump, in the present embodiment, toward the diaphragm 21. That is, when the pump is driven, the water in the treatment tank 35 is sucked by the pump and sprayed by the nozzle 36.

  An opening Oe is formed in the bottom wall 32, and the opening Oe is closed by attaching the lid body 24 to the bottom wall 32, thereby forming a hollow portion 37 surrounded by the diaphragm 21, the presser 23 and the lid body 24. Is done.

  The lens case 11 has a cylindrical side wall 51, a mesh-shaped partition 52 disposed in the center in the height direction in the side wall 51, and forming first and second chambers r1 and r2. 51, an annular flange 53 formed at the same height as the partition 52 and caps 54 and 55 as first and second lid members for closing both ends of the side wall 51 are provided.

  The side wall 51, the partition 52, and the flange 53 are integrally formed by injection molding with a resin such as acrylic resin, and male threads are formed at both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 51. Further, the partition 52 is formed with a number of holes 57 for communicating the first and second chambers r1 and r2.

  The caps 54 and 55 each have an annular body 56 having an L-shaped cross section, an annular O-ring 58 serving as a seal member, and a third portion that closes the radially inner portion of the annular body 56. A diaphragm 59 is provided as a closing member and as a second vibration transmission unit. The annular body 56 includes an end wall 61 formed to extend in parallel to the partition 52, a side wall 62 formed by rising from an outer peripheral edge of the end wall 61, and having an internal thread formed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and A protrusion 63 is formed by rising from the inner peripheral edge of the end wall 61, and the O-ring 58 is held by the side wall 62 and the protrusion 63.

  Caps 54 and 55 are attached to both ends of the side wall 51 by screwing a male screw formed on the side wall 51 and a female screw formed on the side wall 62, and the first and second chambers r 1 and r 2 are attached by O-rings 58. Can be sealed.

  The diaphragm 59 is made of a plate-like metal, in this embodiment, stainless steel so that the ultrasonic vibration from the diaphragm 21 is sufficiently transmitted, and has a thickness similar to that of the diaphragm 21. It is made 1.5 [mm] or more and 1.7 [mm] or less. The diaphragm 59 is formed in a dish shape by press working (drawing), and has a main body portion 64, a cylindrical portion 65 extending in a direction perpendicular to the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 64, and an upper end of the cylindrical portion 65. A flange portion 66 extending outward in the radial direction is provided.

  In order to bring the diaphragm 59 and the diaphragm 21 into close contact with each other, the diaphragm 59 is used as an insert (core), and the outer surface S1 of the main body 64 and the outer surface S2 of the end wall 61 are flush with each other. In addition, the annular body 56 is formed by injection molding (insert molding) so that the flange portion 66 is embedded in the resin forming the annular body 56.

  If the annular body 56 is formed by projecting the outer surface S1 of the main body 64 from the outer surface S2 of the end wall 61 by a predetermined amount, the adhesion between the diaphragm 59 and the diaphragm 21 can be enhanced.

  In the lens case 11, as a second medium in such an amount that the contact lens 13 can be sufficiently immersed in order to generate hydroxyl radicals when ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through the vibration plate 59. Saline is contained. Note that Lb represents the level of physiological saline, and a predetermined air layer 60 is formed at the upper end in the lens case 11.

  Accordingly, one of the caps 54, 55, for example, the cap 54 is removed, physiological saline is added, the contact lens 13 is inserted into the first chamber r1, the cap 54 is attached, and then the cap 55 is removed, By putting the contact lens 13 in the second chamber r2 and attaching the cap 55, the contact lens 13 can be accommodated in the lens case 11 while being floated horizontally.

  The outer wall 51 and the caps 54 and 55 of the disinfection device main body 15 are provided with a right-eye contact lens 13 in one of the first and second chambers r1 and r2, and a left-eye contact lens 13 in the other. Marks are added so that they can be distinguished.

In order to increase the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated, a predetermined amount of hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) can be added to physiological saline, water or the like. In the present embodiment, physiological saline is used as the second medium, but water can be used as the second medium instead of physiological saline.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the lens case 11 is almost completely or completely immersed in the water in the treatment tank 35, and is placed on the diaphragm 21 so that one diaphragm 59 is in close contact therewith. Placed.

  In addition, the bottom wall 27 can be integrally formed of resin without disposing the diaphragm 21, or the end wall 61 can be integrally formed of resin without disposing the diaphragm 59. In this case, when the lens case 11 is placed on the bottom wall 27, the output of the ultrasonic vibration is reduced or the frequency f is shifted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ultrasonic vibration generated by driving the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the diaphragms 21 and 59, and the diaphragms 21 and 59 are vibrated to thereby generate ultrasonic waves. The vibration is transmitted to the physiological saline.

  Next, a control device of the contact lens disinfection device 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the contact lens disinfection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of the operation / display panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a time chart showing operation | movement of the ultrasonic transducer | vibrator drive processing means in 1 embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 45 denotes a control device. The control device 45 includes a control unit 67 that performs overall control of the contact lens disinfection device 10, and drives the ultrasonic transducer 22 to the control unit 67. A drive circuit 68, an operation unit 69, a display unit 70, a pump Pm, and the like are connected. Further, a basic oscillation circuit 46 as an oscillation circuit is connected to the drive circuit 68, and a modulation circuit 47 is connected to the basic oscillation circuit 46. Note that the display unit 70 can function as an operation unit.

  The control unit 67 includes a CPU (not shown) as an arithmetic unit, a RAM (not shown) used as a working memory when the CPU performs various arithmetic processes, a control program, a ROM (not shown) in which various data are recorded, etc. Is provided. The CPU functions as a computer based on various programs, data, and the like. The RAM, ROM, etc. constitute a recording device. Note that an MPU or the like can be used as the arithmetic device instead of the CPU.

  The drive circuit 68 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 22 via a transformer (not shown), is actuated by receiving a drive signal Sg from the controller 67, and drives the ultrasonic transducer 22 to 1.6 [ [MHz] is generated. Therefore, the basic oscillation circuit 46 performs basic oscillation based on a signal having a predetermined frequency generated by the modulation circuit 47.

  The transformer is disposed to adjust impedance and to insulate the ultrasonic transducer 22 from the control unit 67 and the like. In the present embodiment, the drive circuit 68 and the ultrasonic transducer 22 are connected via a transformer. However, when a Colpitts oscillation circuit is used as the oscillation circuit, the drive circuit 68 and the ultrasonic transducer 22 are connected to each other. The ultrasonic transducer 22 can be directly connected.

  The operation / display panel 97 including the operation unit 69 and the display unit 70 as shown in FIG. 8 is disposed at a predetermined location of the case 14 (FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 8, bt1 is a power on / off button for turning on / off the contact lens disinfection device 10, bt2 is a start button for starting disinfection of the contact lens 13, and bt3 is a contact lens 13. A stop button for stopping the disinfection in the middle, bt4 is a time for disinfecting the contact lens 13, that is, a time setting button for setting the disinfection time, and bt5 is for setting an output of ultrasonic vibration Ds1 is a display lamp that is turned on when the power is turned on, ds2 is a display lamp that is blinked when disinfection of the contact lens 13 is started, and ds3 is disinfection of the contact lens 13 The indicator lamp that blinks when is stopped halfway, ds4 indicates the set disinfection time The liquid crystal panel for Shimesuru, ds5 liquid crystal panel for displaying the output of the ultrasonic vibration is set, ds6 is a liquid crystal panel for output confirmation for displaying that the output ultrasonic vibrations. The operation unit 69 is configured by the buttons bt1 to bt5, and the display unit 70 is configured by the display lamps ds1 to ds3 and the liquid crystal panels ds4 to ds6.

  Therefore, when the operator presses the button bt1 to turn on the power of the contact lens disinfection device 10, operates the button bt4 to set the disinfection time, and operates the button bt5 to set the output of the ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic transducer drive processing means of the CPU performs ultrasonic transducer drive processing, sends a drive signal Sg to the drive circuit 68, and operates the drive circuit 68 as shown in FIG. The child 22 is driven.

  As a result, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the physiological saline in the lens case 11 via the vibration plates 21 and 59, and in the treatment tank 35 via the vibration plate 21. It is transmitted to water, further transmitted to the lens case 11, and transmitted to the physiological saline in the lens case 11. At this time, the water in the physiological saline is decomposed by ultrasonic vibration to generate hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the contact lens 13 can be sufficiently disinfected by the bactericidal / antibacterial effect of the hydroxyl radical.

  By the way, in the soft contact lens, in order to permeate oxygen, the moisture content in the contact lens 13, that is, the moisture content is considerably high, and even if the moisture content is low, it is set to 30 to 40%. A high thing is made 50 [%] or more.

  Therefore, when disinfecting a soft contact lens, when ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the contact lens 13 via physiological saline, the water in the contact lens 13 is decomposed by the ultrasonic vibration, and hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen atoms are generated. Is done. As a result, the contact lens 13 can be sterilized by the hydroxyl radical generated in the physiological saline and the hydroxyl radical generated in the contact lens 13.

  In the contact lens 13, even if the Acanthamoeba, which is considered to cause damage to the cornea of the eye, propagates in the contact lens 13, the Acanthamoeba can be sufficiently killed.

  The soft contact lens has a small lens thickness (0.1 [mm] or less) and a diameter of about 14 [mm]. Therefore, when the soft contact lens is accommodated in the first and second chambers r1 and r2, Placed in a floating state. Accordingly, since the ultrasonic vibration transmitted through the diaphragm 59 is transmitted at a substantially right angle with respect to the surface of the contact lens 13, the contact lens 13 can be easily moved in the first and second chambers r1 and r2. To penetrate. As a result, hydroxyl radicals can be sufficiently generated in the contact lens 13.

  When the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted, the contact lens 13 is moved vertically and horizontally in the physiological saline. Therefore, the contact lens 13 can be disinfected throughout.

  In this embodiment, the output of the ultrasonic vibration is set so that the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated is 0.1 [μM] or more and 60 [μM] or less so that the contact lens 13 is not denatured. Is done.

  When the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the vibration plates 21 and 59, bubbles are generated by water existing between the vibration plate 21 and the vibration plate 59. For example, the end wall 61 of the lens case 11 rides on the bottom wall 27, and the lens case 11 cannot be properly placed on the diaphragm 21, and a large gap (clearance) is formed between the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59. ) Is formed, a large amount of water enters between the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59, and a large amount of bubbles are generated by the entered water. When the bubbles adhere to the surfaces of the vibration plate 21 and the vibration plate 59, the ultrasonic vibrations are prevented from being transmitted to the lens case 11.

  Therefore, the nozzle 36 directs the water flow generated by driving the pump Pm toward the outer peripheral edge of the diaphragm 21 (toward the lower end portion of the lens case 11 placed on the diaphragm 21). Injecting the bubbles prevents the bubbles from adhering to the surfaces of the diaphragm 21 and the diaphragm 59. Therefore, the ultrasonic vibration can be reliably transmitted to the lens case 11.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, since the air layer 60 is formed in the upper portion of the lens case 11, the physiological saline is aired as the physiological saline is vibrated ultrasonically. Oxygen in the air of the layer 60 can be taken up. Therefore, the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated can be increased.

  Furthermore, when hydrogen peroxide is added to physiological saline, hydrogen peroxide is decomposed in the physiological saline and hydroxyl radicals are generated, so that the amount of hydroxyl radicals generated can be increased. For example, when a commercially available oxidol containing hydrogen peroxide (concentration 3 [%]) was diluted about 10 times and added to physiological saline, the amount of hydroxyl radicals produced could be increased. In this case, since hydrogen peroxide generates hydroxyl radicals as it decomposes, it is not necessary to neutralize hydrogen peroxide with other agents after disinfection.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the hydroxyl radical is generated in the physiological saline and in the contact lens 13 by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer 22, the contact lens 13 is sufficiently disinfected. be able to.

  Further, since it is not necessary to immerse the contact lens 13 in the treatment liquid for a long time, the contact lens 13 can be sterilized in a very short time. And since it is not necessary to neutralize a processing liquid after completion | finish of disinfection, the operation | work for disinfection can be simplified. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to disinfect the contact lens 13 by boiling, the contact lens 13 is not deteriorated by heat. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the durability of the contact lens 13 from being lowered.

  When the ultrasonic transducer 22 is driven, the ultrasonic vibration generated on the front surface (surface on the vibration plate 21 side) of the ultrasonic transducer 22 is transmitted to the physiological saline via the vibration plate 21. . On the other hand, a hollow portion 37 is formed on the back surface of the ultrasonic transducer 22, and the air in the hollow portion 37 prevents the transmission of the ultrasonic vibration, so that the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted only forward. Is done. Therefore, ultrasonic vibration can be efficiently transmitted to the physiological saline. In the present embodiment, air is present in the hollow portion 37, but transmission of ultrasonic vibration can also be prevented by evacuating the hollow portion 37.

  By the way, when the ultrasonic vibration generated by driving the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is transmitted to the physiological saline, not only the temperature of the physiological saline increases due to the vibration energy of the ultrasonic vibration but also the ultrasonic wave. The temperature of the vibrator 22 itself also increases. Furthermore, the temperature of the contact lens 13 increases with the generation of hydroxyl radicals.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the water in the treatment tank 35 transmits ultrasonic vibrations, cools the physiological saline and the contact lens 13 through the lens case 11, and cools the ultrasonic vibrator 22. It is like that. That is, water in the treatment tank 35 is sucked by the pump Pm, sprayed by the nozzle 36, and circulated in the treatment tank 35, thereby sufficiently cooling the physiological saline and the contact lens 13 through the lens case 11. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer 22 can be sufficiently cooled.

  Further, when the drive circuit 68 is operated to drive the ultrasonic transducer 22, the transistor 44 (FIG. 2) constituting the drive circuit 68 generates heat, and the temperature of the drive circuit 68 increases. Heat is dissipated by attaching a heat sink.

  Further, in order to suppress the increase in the temperature of the physiological saline, the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 itself, the temperature of the contact lens 13, or the temperature of the drive circuit 68, the ultrasonic vibrator 22. Can be driven intermittently.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the ultrasonic transducer drive processing means causes the ultrasonic transducer 22 to have a predetermined period τ.
6 [min] ≦ τ ≦ 20 [min]
Drive intermittently. In this case, if the time for which the ultrasonic transducer 22 is driven is τd and the time for which the ultrasonic transducer 22 is stopped is τs, the period τ is
τ = τd + τs
It is. If the time τd is long, the temperature rise of the drive circuit 68 cannot be suppressed.
τd ≦ τs
Furthermore, in this embodiment,
3 [minutes] ≦ τd = τs ≦ 10 [minutes]
To be. For example, when the ultrasonic transducer 22 is intermittently driven for 1 [hour] by setting the time τd and τs to 5 [minutes], the temperature of the drive circuit 68 increases by 15.7 [° C.]. This rise in temperature is almost the same as when the ultrasonic transducer 22 is continuously driven for 10 minutes.

  As a result of experiments using the contact lens disinfection device 10 to sterilize bacteria such as Escherichia coli or inactivate viruses such as herpes virus, the ultrasonic transducer 22 has started to be driven. It was found that after 3 minutes, bacteria were sterilized and viruses were inactivated. Therefore, it is preferable to set the time τd and τs to 3 [min] or more.

  As described above, since the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is intermittently driven, the temperature of the physiological saline, the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator 22 itself, the temperature of the contact lens 13, and the like, or the temperature of the drive circuit 68 is increased. It can suppress rising. And since it can control that the temperature of physiological saline rises, it can control that the temperature of contact lens 13 rises, and it can prevent that contact lens 13 denatures. Furthermore, since the temperature of the drive circuit 68 can be suppressed from increasing, the heat sink attached to the drive circuit 68 can be reduced in size.

  By the way, in this Embodiment, although the diaphragm 21 is used as a vibration transmission part, a box-shaped vibration body can be used as a vibration transmission part.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention in which a box-like vibrating body is used as the vibration transmitting portion will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lens case is set in the contact lens disinfecting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a disinfecting device main body, and the disinfecting device main body 71 includes a cylindrical body 72 as a casing, and a circuit unit as a closing member for closing a lower portion of the cylindrical body 72 and as a base. 73, a box-like vibrating body 75 as a support member disposed on the circuit unit 73, an ultrasonic transducer 22 that generates ultrasonic vibrations, and the like. The circuit unit 73 accommodates a control unit 67 (FIG. 7), a drive circuit 68, a basic oscillation circuit 46, a modulation circuit 47, and the like.

  The cylindrical body 72 is formed by injection molding using a resin such as an acrylic resin. The vibrating body 75 is made of metal, in the present embodiment, stainless steel, and is formed in a box shape by cutting the block material. The vibrating body 75 has a circular top wall (vibrating plate) 76 as a first wall portion and a vibration transmitting portion, and a second extending downward from the top wall 76. In the present embodiment, which is a cylindrical wall, a cylindrical side wall 77 is provided, and a locking portion 78 that is locked to the circuit portion 73 is provided at the center of the side wall 77. A circular opening Oj is formed at the lower end. The ultrasonic transducer 22 is attached (attached) to the lower surface of the top wall 76 with an adhesive. The thickness T of the top wall 76 is set to 1.5 [mm] or more and 1.7 [mm] or less.

  The cylindrical body 72 and the circuit unit 73 are fixed, and the cylindrical body 72 and the circuit unit 73 form a treatment tank 35 that stores water as a first medium. The top wall 76 constitutes the bottom of the processing tank 35.

  Further, by attaching the vibrating body 75 to the circuit portion 73, the opening Oj is closed, and the hollow portion 37 surrounded by the vibrating body 75 and the circuit portion 73 is formed. The circuit portion 73 constitutes a sealed portion by a portion projecting upward, and an annular O-ring 80 as a seal member is disposed in the sealed portion.

  In the first and second embodiments, the contact lens 13 is accommodated in a state of floating horizontally in the lens case 11, but the contact lens 13 is perpendicular to the lens case 11. Can be stored in a suspended state.

  Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the present invention in which the contact lens 13 is accommodated while being vertically suspended in the lens case 11.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a lens case according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 81 denotes a lens case. The lens case 81 is a bottomed container 82 integrally formed of glass or a resin such as acrylic resin, and serves as a lid member for closing the upper end of the container 82. A cap 83 and a lens housing portion 84 that is suspended from the cap 83 are provided. In the container 82, physiological saline as a second medium in an amount capable of sufficiently immersing the contact lens 13 is accommodated.

  The container 82 includes a circular bottom wall 86 and a cylindrical side wall 87 formed from the bottom wall 86 and, in the present embodiment, a cylindrical side wall 87. The lens housing portion 84 is provided with a partition 91 that extends downward from the cap 83 in a vertical direction, and is swingable with respect to the partition 91 and is openable and closable. Mesh-shaped inner caps 92 and 93 as first and second inner lid members are formed, and first and second chambers r11 and r12 are formed between the partition 91 and the inner caps 92 and 93. The The inner caps 92 and 93 are formed with a number of holes (not shown) for communicating the inside and outside of the lens housing portion 84. The partition 91 is formed of a metal plate so that ultrasonic vibration can be easily transmitted.

  The first and second chambers r11 and r12 can be opened and closed by swinging the inner caps 92 and 93 with the hinges hg1 and hg2 as swinging fulcrums.

  In the lens case 81 configured as described above, the lens housing portion 84 is taken out by removing the cap 83, physiological saline is put into the lens case 81, the inner caps 92 and 93 are opened, and the first and second chambers r11, r11, The contact lens 13 is put into r12, the inner caps 92 and 93 are closed, the lens housing portion 84 is inserted into the lens case 81, and the cap 83 is attached, so that the contact lens 13 is vertically suspended in the lens case 81. Can be accommodated in a state.

  In the inner caps 92 and 93 of the lens housing portion 84, the right-eye contact lens 13 and the left-eye contact lens 13 are separately placed in one of the first and second chambers r 11 and r 12, respectively. A mark is given so that

  The lens case 81 is almost completely or completely immersed in water as the first medium in the treatment tank 35, and is on the diaphragm 21 in the first embodiment or in the second embodiment. It is placed on the top wall 76.

  By the way, since the ultrasonic vibration has a high frequency, it has a straight traveling property. In this embodiment, when the ultrasonic vibrator 22 is driven, the ultrasonic vibration may not pass through the contact lens 13. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a convex diffusion plate 95 as a diffusion member is attached to the bottom wall 86, and the ultrasonic vibration transmitted through the vibration plate 21 or the top wall 76 is transmitted to the diffusion plate 95. When transmitted, it is deflected in each direction to cause the physiological saline to vibrate ultrasonically. Therefore, the ultrasonic vibration can be reliably passed through the contact lens 13.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st-3rd embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a lens case according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, a diffusion plate 96 as a diffusion member having a quadrangular pyramid shape is attached to the lowermost part of the partition 91.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the ultrasonic transducer 22 is disposed to disinfect the contact lens 13 and generates ultrasonic vibration having a frequency of 1.6 [MHz]. In addition to the vibrator 22, a cleaning ultrasonic vibrator is provided, and the ultrasonic vibrator for cleaning generates ultrasonic vibration having a frequency of 150 to 500 [kHz] lower than the ultrasonic vibrator 22. Can be generated. In that case, the control unit 67 first drives the ultrasonic transducer for cleaning to generate ultrasonic vibrations having a frequency of 150 to 500 [kHz], cleans the contact lens 13, and subsequently ultrasonic vibrations. The child 22 can be driven to disinfect the contact lens 13.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Contact lens disinfection apparatus 11, 81 Lens case 13 Contact lens 21 Diaphragm 22 Ultrasonic vibrator 35 Treatment tank 67 Control part 76 Top wall

Claims (6)

(A) a treatment tank containing a first medium and having a first vibration transmission portion made of a plate-like metal at the bottom;
(B) It is detachably mounted on the processing tank and can be placed on the first vibration transmission portion, and is made of a plate-like metal and placed on the first vibration transmission portion. A lens case for housing the contact lens and the second medium, comprising a second vibration transmission unit that is brought into close contact with the first vibration transmission unit when
(C) an ultrasonic transducer that generates ultrasonic vibrations and transmits the ultrasonic vibrations to the second vibration transmission unit via the first vibration transmission unit;
(D) a nozzle that ejects a first medium toward a lower end portion of the lens case and prevents bubbles from adhering to the first and second vibration transmitting portions;
(E) having an ultrasonic transducer drive processing means for driving the ultrasonic transducer to generate hydroxyl radicals in the second medium;
(F) The lens case includes a side wall, first and second lid members that close both ends of the side wall, and a first chamber and a second chamber that are disposed in the side wall and accommodate a contact lens. With a partition to form,
(G) The second vibration transmitting portion projects the outer surface of the main body portion by a predetermined amount from the outer surfaces of the end walls of the first and second lid members, and the first and second lid members. A contact lens disinfecting device, wherein the contact lens disinfecting device is formed respectively.   The contact lens disinfection device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is attached to a lower surface of the first vibration transmission unit.   The contact lens disinfection device according to claim 1, wherein a hollow portion is formed on a back surface of the ultrasonic transducer.   The contact lens disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ultrasonic vibrator drive processing means generates hydroxyl radicals in moisture in the contact lens. (A) The ultrasonic transducer drive processing means intermittently drives the ultrasonic transducer,
(B) In the intermittent driving, the contact lens disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a time for driving the ultrasonic transducer is set to 3 [min] or more. First, the speed of sound in the material forming the second vibration transmission part is C, when the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer and is f, first, the thickness T of the second vibration transmitting portion,
T = C / 2f
The contact lens disinfection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images