Other

Craig L Hershoff

Andres Bernal

An Ocular Force Measuring Apparatus (OFMA) is provided. The OFMA can include a lens manipulator arranged on a carrier operably connected to a strain gauge load cell. The OFMA can be manipulated by hand or with an actuator mechanism. When the lens manipulator is engaged with a contact lens attached to an eye, the strain gauge load cell can measure the force required to remove the contact lens from the eye. Conversely, if a contact lens is arranged on the lens manipulator, the force required to deposit the contact lens on the eye is measureable by the strain gauge load cell.

Apparatus and methods for measuring force required to remove contact lens from an eye

The problem of inserting and removing a rigid gas permeable or hybrid contact lens is solved by the use of a lens manipulator. The lens manipulator includes a handle and an over-sleeve that is optionally attachable to an extraction stem, for creating a suction force to remove a contact lens, and an insertion stem, without suction force for placing a contact lens. Removal of the extraction stem from the over-sleeve eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens. A manual-release mechanism can be used to facilitate removal of the extraction stem.

Contact lens manipulator with safety release

A lens manipulator that includes an over-sleeve with a suction cup and lumen therethrough that forms a pore in the suction cup and a rod opening at the opposite end for receiving an adjustment rod. Adjustment of the length of the adjustment rod in the lumen controls the amount of suction force generated under the suction cup against a contact lens. Removal of the adjustment rod from the lumen eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens.

Contact lens manipulator with suction cup and safety release mechanism

Contact lenses are a commonly used medical device that many users find difficult to insert and remove from the eyes. A contact lens insertion and removal apparatus of the subject invention utilizes a lens manipulator that can be controlled by a user to insert a contact lens into the eye or remove it from the eye. Further embodiments include a display system that provides a user with dual images of the lens manipulator such that the user sees an optical illusion of the lens manipulator from a side view. This provides the user with an increased sense of control and safety when inserting or removing contact lenses. Additional embodiments can include a hands-free contact lens cleaning and storage system.

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Sunny Isles Beach, FL, United States of America

Craig L Hershoff