Additive saline dosing system and method for contact lens packaging

Abstract

Additives that could interfere with the sealing of a cover onto a contact lens package are delivered separately from the bulk saline delivered into the lens package, thereby allowing more precise control of the additive delivery, reducing the incidence of additive in the seal area of the lens package, and improving the seal integrity.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 60 / 984,129 filed Oct. 31, 2007, incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention relates generally to the packaging of ophthalmic contact lenses and, more specifically, to promoting good sealing of the contact lens package.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Hydrophilic ophthalmic contact lenses are commonly packaged in individual primary containment packages, generally known as “blister packages” or “blister packs.” As shown in FIG. 1, a blister package 10 generally consists of a plastic (e.g., polypropylene) shell 12 having a concave or bowl-shaped depression or cavity 14 in which a lens (not shown) is disposed immersed in a sterile aqueous (saline) solution and sealed with a laminate foil cover 16. A flat rim 18 surrounds the cavity 14. (Shells 12 may include additional features to aid use and handling ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention relates to a system and method for delivering or dosing at least one additive, such as a buffer or lubricant, into a contact lens package separately from the bulk dispensing of saline without said additive(s) into the lens package. For example, the saline is delivered at a dispensing station into the lens package, and the one or more additives are separately delivered at a dosing station. The quantity of additive dosed into the lens package is substantially less than the quantity of saline dispensed into the lens package, thereby permitting more precise and controlled dosing of the additive, and / or permitting dosing of the additive at a substantially lower flow-rate than the saline. After the package has been filled in this manner, it can be sealed with a cover in any conventional manner. The separate, controlled dosing of additive greatly reduces the likelihood of splashing the additive, or solution containing the additive, onto the rim of the lens package where it could interfere with proper sealing of the cover.

Problems solved by technology

Often, a lens is contained within a blister package for a significant amount of time while the lens is being shipped and held in storage before use.

Saline solutions having certain additives included therein have been found to interfere with proper sealing to a significantly greater extent than would pure saline without those additives, when present in the sealing area.

The separate, controlled dosing of additive greatly reduces the likelihood of splashing the additive, or solution containing the additive, onto the rim of the lens package where it could interfere with proper sealing of the cover.

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