Automatic tonometer tip disinfection apparatus

Abstract

A tonometer tip disinfection apparatus for disinfecting and rinsing a tonometer tip includes a first basin configured to hold a disinfecting solution, a second basin configured to hold a rinsing solution, a holding platform configured to receive at least one tonometer tip, a tonometer tip support arm configured to support a tonometer tip having a tip end in an orientation allowing the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and second basins, and a transportation assembly configured to automatically move the tonometer tip support arm between the first and second basins and the holding platform.

1 . A tonometer tip disinfection apparatus for disinfecting and rinsing a tonometer tip, comprising:
 a first basin configured to hold a disinfecting solution;   a second basin configured to hold a rinsing solution;   a holding platform configured to receive at least one tonometer tip;   a tonometer tip support arm configured to support a tonometer tip having a tip end in an orientation allowing the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and second basins; and   a transportation assembly configured to automatically move the tonometer tip support arm between the first and second basins and the holding platform.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a support base, and wherein the first basin, second basin and holding platform are attached to the support base. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second basins are adjacent each other. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second basins have fluid level marks indicating the preferred level of fluid to be supplied to each basin. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tonometer tip support arm is pivotally connected to the transportation assembly and includes a counterweight that orients the support arm to allow the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and second basins. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tonometer tip support arm is configured for vertical movement to allow the tip end to be lowered to reside at least in part within the first and second basins and raised for transportation between basins. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transportation assembly moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin and to the holding platform according to a predetermined time function. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 the transportation assembly is a mechanical rotating timer that rotates according to a predetermined time function; and   the mechanical rotating timer moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin and to the holding platform according to the predetermined time function.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 the transportation assembly is an electronic timing circuit and rotating gear that rotates according to a predetermined time function; and   the electronic timing circuit and rotating gear moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin and to the holding platform according to the predetermined time function.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein
 the transportation assembly is a motorized track that moves according to a predetermined time function; and   the motorized track moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin and to the holding platform according to the predetermined time function.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a third basin configured to hold a rinsing solution. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the transportation assembly moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin to the third basin and to the holding platform according to a predetermined time function. 
     
     
         13 . An automatic tonometer tip disinfection apparatus for disinfecting and rinsing a tonometer tip, comprising:
 a support base;   a first basin attached to the support base and configured to hold a disinfecting solution;   at least one additional basin attached to the support base and configured to hold a rinsing solution;   a tonometer tip support arm configured to support a tonometer tip having a tip end in an orientation allowing the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and at least one additional basins; and   a transportation assembly configured to automatically move the tonometer tip support arm between the first and at least one additional basins.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first and at least one additional basins are adjacent each other. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first and at least one additional basins have fluid level marks indicating the preferred level of fluid to be supplied to each basin. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the fluid level mark for the at least one additional basin provides for a higher level of fluid in the basin than the fluid level mark for the first basin. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the tonometer tip support arm is pivotally connected to the transportation assembly and includes a counterweight that orients the support arm ring to allow the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and at least one additional basins. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the tonometer tip support arm is configured for vertical movement to allow the tip end to be lowered to reside at least in part within the first and at least one additional basin and raised for transportation between basins. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the transportation assembly moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the at least one additional basin according to a predetermined time function. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein
 the transportation assembly is a mechanical rotating timer that rotates according to a predetermined time function; and   the mechanical rotating timer moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin and to the holding platform according to the predetermined time function.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein
 the transportation assembly is an electronic timing circuit and rotating gear that rotates according to a predetermined time function; and   the electronic timing circuit and rotating gear moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin and to the holding platform according to the predetermined time function.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein
 the transportation assembly is a motorized track that moves according to a predetermined time function; and   the motorized track moves the tonometer tip support arm from the first basin to the second basin and to the holding platform according to the predetermined time function.