OPHTHALMIC LENS DISINFECTING BASE
The present invention provides for a disinfecting radiation base for working in conjunction with a storage case for an ophthalmic lens. The disinfecting radiation base provides disinfecting radiation for disinfecting an ophthalmic lens. The disinfecting radiation base may also include a processor and digital memory for automated functions associated with the base.
1 . A base for receiving an ophthalmic lens storage case for storing one or more ophthalmic lenses, the base comprising:
a receptacle for receiving an ophthalmic lens storage case; and
a source of disinfecting radiation providing disinfecting radiation to an ophthalmic lens storage compartment in the ophthalmic lens storage case.
2 . The base of claim 1 additionally comprising a reflective surface for reflecting disinfecting radiation towards ophthalmic lens storage compartment.
3 . The base of claim 1 additionally comprising an alignment mechanism for aligning the source of disinfecting radiation with the ophthalmic lens storage compartment.
4 . The base of claim 3 wherein the alignment mechanism comprises an alignment post.
5 . The base of claim 4 wherein the alignment post comprises annular post fitting into a recess of a cap of a lens storage case.
6 . The base of claim 5 wherein the alignment post comprises one or more sources of disinfecting radiation.
7 . The base of claim 6 wherein the one or more sources of disinfecting radiation comprise an ultraviolet emitting diode.
8 . The base of claim 7 wherein the ultraviolet emitting diode emit radiation in a frequency of between 250 nanometers and 280 nanometers.
9 . The base of claim 1 wherein the emitted disinfecting radiation is sufficient kill an organism on an ophthalmic lens stored in the storage compartment.
10 . The base of claim 1 additionally comprising an optic for directing disinfecting radiation towards an ophthalmic lens stored in the storage case.
11 . The base of claim 1 additionally comprising a processor for controlling the generation of disinfecting radiation.
12 . The base of claim 11 wherein a time period that a disinfecting radiation is provided is based upon a logical control signal generated by the processor.
13 . The base of claim 11 wherein an intensity at which a disinfecting radiation is provided is based upon a logical control signal generated by the processor.
14 . The base of claim 11 additionally comprising an audio component operative to provide an audio signal based upon operation of the source of disinfecting radiation.
15 . The base of claim 11 additionally comprising a display for displaying a status of a disinfecting process based upon digital data transmitted by the processor.
16 . The base of claim 11 additionally comprising a digital storage for storing information related to a disinfecting process.
17 . The base of claim 1 additionally comprising a vibration generation device for providing mechanical movement to a storage case placed in the storage base.
18 . The base of claim 17 wherein the vibration generation device comprises a piezoelectric mechanism.
19 . The base of claim 17 wherein the piezoelectric mechanism is operated based upon a logical signal generated by a processor.
20 . The base of claim 16 additionally comprising a universal serial bus connector for providing logical communication between one, or both of: the processor and the digital storage; and personal processing device.
21 . The base of claim 16 additionally comprising a universal serial bus connector for providing an electrical current for operating the storage base.
22 . The base of claim 1 additionally comprising an electrical storage for storing power to operate the storage base.
23 . The base of claim 22 wherein the electrical storage comprises one or more rechargeable batteries.
24 . The base of claim 23 wherein the electrical storage comprises one or more lithium ion batteries.
25 . The base of claim 12 wherein a pattern of radiation is based upon a signal from the processor.