Abstract: Biomedical devices are provided herein which are formed from a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising one or more monomers comprising one or more trifluorovinyl groups, e.g., a perfluorocyclobutane containing polymer.

Abstract: Polymerization products formed from a monomeric mixture comprising (a) one or more first monomers of the general formula I: A-L-R1—(X—CF?CF2)n??(I) wherein R1 represents one or more inertly substituted groups; X is independently a group which links the inertly substituted groups and the trifluorovinyl group; L is an optional linking group; A is CO2Z, SO2Z, PO3Z, or OPO3Z wherein Z is hydrogen or an alkali metal and n is an integer of 1 to about 1000; (b) one or more second crosslinking monomers comprising at least three trifluorovinyl groups and (c) one or more prepolymers comprising one or more trifluorovinyl groups are provided. Also provided are biomedical devices formed from such polymerization products.

Abstract: The present invention provides copolymer having repeating units based on polyoxyalkylene radicals, polysiloxane radicals and perfluorocyclobutane radicals. The copolymers are useful as biomedical devices such as contact lenses or intraocular lenses.

Abstract: Contact lenses, such as prism ballasted toric lenses, having anterior and posterior surfaces related by way of non-axisymmetric thickness variation can exhibit a third-order aberration, particularly vertical coma. A wavefront modifier, such as an aspheric surface modification, is incorporated into the lenses to at least partially compensate for the wavefront aberration associated with the non-axisymmetric thickness variation. A magnitude of the modifications can be adjusted to set a target value for any remaining wavefront aberration of the lenses based on a population-wide goal.

Abstract: An optical device inspection system and method employing a narrow aperture on a magnifying objective lens in order to reduce the circle of confusion and increase the depth of field. The smaller aperture resulting in an increase in depth of field allows for simultaneous focus for all portions of objects being inspected. An arc lamp with an elliptical reflector in combination with a condenser lens focuses a more intense beam of light through the objective lens, thereby providing sufficient brightness without sacrificing any depth of field.

Abstract: A lens with a colored portion is composed of a lens-forming polymer having a front lens surface and a back lens surface. A colorant is applied to at least one of these surfaces, and these surfaces may be coated with a coating layer composed of a material different than the lens-forming polymer. In the case of a cosmetic contact lens, the colorant may be applied in an annular ring pattern corresponding to an iris, so that the colorant pattern masks and changes the apparent color of the natural iris when the contact lens is worn.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a cast optical device. The mold assembly includes at least one mold portion having a non-critical surface with fresnel or diffractive geometry. Alternately, a fresnel lens or diffractive lens may be placed at a predetermined distance from the mold.

Abstract: The invention provides, in a first embodiment, a blocking wax composition. The blocking wax comprises from about 50 to about 90 weight percent of a water-soluble continuous phase and from about 10 to about 50 weight percent of a discontinuous solid phase filler that is substantially inert to the continuous phase. The invention further provides a method for mounting a contact lens blank for machining.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an inspection cell that allows contact lenses to be presented in a known orientation to an operator or vision system for inspection. The cell can be tipped to allow the inspected lens to be placed into a known pick-cup location upon passing inspection, or if the lens does not pass inspection, it can be discarded. The placement or discarding of the lens can be readily automated by selecting the rate at which the cell is tipped.

Abstract: An optical zone for a lens has a center optical axis. A first region of the optical zone includes a first optical curve having a first optical axis that is collinear with the center optical axis. A plurality of secondary regions is formed within the first region. Each of the secondary regions has a respective secondary optical curve with a corresponding secondary optical axis. Each secondary optical axis is collinear with the first optical axis. Each of the secondary optical curves is decentered relative to the first optical curve.

Abstract: A method of fabricating capsules for sustained and controlled drug delivery. An array of capsules of a hydrophobic polymer is subjected to an extraction process to remove low-molecular-weight monomers, oligomers and polymers, and a laser is used to open accurately sized, spaced, and shaped holes in the capsules. In the process, the laser cutting oxidizes the hydrophobic polymer, making it sufficiently hydrophilic to allow wetting by the contents of the capsules. The capsules are then filled with a hydrophilic polymer covering the laser-cut opening and with one or more drugs for delivery, sealed, and removed from the array for mounting on suture tabs or other mounts. The use of the laser helps insure accurate and reliable delivery of drugs from the capsule.

Abstract: A process for treating biomedical devices, especially contact lenses, involves contacting polymeric devices containing extractables with a solvent that dissolves and thereby removes the extractables from the device, treating the solvent to remove extractables from the solvent, thereby purifying the solvent, and using the purified solvent to remove additional extractables from polymeric devices.

Abstract: A lens with a colored portion is composed of a lens-forming polymer having a front lens surface and a back lens surface. A colorant is applied to at least one of these surfaces, and these surfaces may be coated with a coating layer composed of a material different than the lens-forming polymer. In the case of a cosmetic contact lens, the colorant may be applied in an annular ring pattern corresponding to an iris, so that the colorant pattern masks and changes the apparent color of the natural iris when the contact lens is worn.

Abstract: A method of extracting residual materials from a polymeric, ophthalmic biomedical device, such as a contact lens, by using a mixture comprised of a primary solvent, such as carbon dioxide, and a polar co-solvent, such as isopropanol. By exposing the device to the co-solvent, the device expands. By pulsing or varying the concentration of the polar co-solvent in the mixture, the lens dimensions vary accordingly. When the lens is extracted while retained in a mold, the changes in lens dimensions causes the lens to be released from the mold.

Abstract: The invention concerns an anti-microbial porous part based on a polymeric material grafted at the surface and in its volume with ammonium motifs with anti-microbial and/or bactericidal and/or fungicide activity, preferably benzalkonium. The invention is characterized in that it has a porosity sufficiently high to enable a liquid with compatible viscosity to pass through its structure and sufficiently low to trap contaminating germs within said structure.

Abstract: A method for improving the wettability of a medical device involves: (a) providing a medical device formed from a monomer mixture comprising a hydrophilic device-forming monomer including a copolymerizable group and an electron donating moiety, and a second device-forming monomer including a copolymerizable group and a reactive functional group; and (b) contacting a surface of the medical device with a wetting agent including a proton donating moiety reactive with the functional group provided by the second lens-forming monomer and that complexes with the electron donating moiety provided by the hydrophilic lens-forming monomer.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of molds for the production of contact lenses and other ophthalmic articles. By using an inorganic material to coat the optical surfaces and sidewalls of mold parts made from clear-resin materials, manufacturers can produce lens molds with greater dimensional stability and chemical resistance. In addition to protecting the clear resin from interaction with otherwise reactive monomers from which the molded article is made, such coatings can also be used to achieve preferential release of the molded article. The resulting mold is especially useful for providing an economical way to improve manufacturing quality of contact lenses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting under- or over-filling of lenses in packages where ultraviolet radiation is directed to the package.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optically clear, hydrophilic coating upon the surface of a silicone medical device by sequentially subjecting the surface of the lens to plasma polymerization in a hydrocarbon-containing atmosphere and then covalently attaching a preformed hydrophilic polymer to the surface of the carbon coating. The invention is especially useful for forming a biocompatible coating on a silicone contact lens.