Abstract: Macromonomers of the formula I are described:Q-B(L-B).sub.n T (I)wherein n is at least 1.0;Q is a polymerizable group;B may be the same or different and is a difunctional block of molecular weight in the range of from 100 to 4000 and wherein at least one B is a perfluorinated polyether of formula II;--OCH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.x (CF.sub.2 O).sub.y CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O-- (II)wherein the CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O and CF.sub.2 O units may be randomly distributed or distributed as blocks throughout the chain and wherein x and y may be the same or different such that the molecular weight of the perfluorinated polyether is in the range of from 242 to 4,000;L is a difunctional linking group; andT is a terminal group.These macromonomers may be used in the production of contact lenses, corneal implants, cell growth substrate or medical implant.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: A macromer of formula (I) is described: Q-(PFPE-L).sub.n-1 -PFPE-Q, wherein n>1.0; PFPE may be the same or different and is a perfluorinated polyether of formula (II): --OCH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.x (CF.sub.2 O).sub.y CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--, wherein the CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O and CF.sub.2 O units may be randomly distributed or distributed as blocks throughout the chain and wherein x and y may be the same or different such that the molecular weight of the PFPE is in the range of from 242 to 4,000; L is a difunctional linking group; and Q may be the same or different and is a polymerizable group. The macromer may be used preferably in the production of contact lenses.

Abstract: A disinfection apparatus including a container; a cap having an article-retaining means, a sealing means and a catalytic element-retaining means affixed thereto; and a catalytic element. The disinfection apparatus has particular utility in the disinfection of contact lenses with hydrogen peroxide solutions. Also disclosed are venting and sealing components, catalytic elements, molded article-retaining assemblies, and catalytic element formation methods.

Abstract: The present invention describes a free radical polymerizable segmented macromonomer based on perfluoroelkyl ether, polysiloxane and divalent organic segments. This macromoner can be polymerized and used to form moldings, contact lenses, corneal implants and other biomedical articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerizable derivatives of carbohydrates comprising a carbohydrate radical and more than one radically polymerizable hydrocarbon group which is linked optionally via a spacer to the carbohydrate radical, to homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers and polymeric networks thereof, to capsules, fibers, films and coatings having water-binding and biocompatible properties, and to molded articles, for example contact lenses or biomedicinal articles, comprising the mentioned polymers, as well as to processes for the preparation of the mentioned polymers and articles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of moldings, in particular contact lenses, in which a water-soluble crosslinkable polymer is crosslinked in solution, and to moldings, in particular contact lenses, obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel statistical copolymers and the preparation and possible uses thereof. Copolymers are described that are water-soluble and cross-linkable and that comprise the copolymerization product of a monomer mixture consisting substantially of a vinyl lactam (a) and at least one further vinyl monomer (b) of a different type selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic, hydrophilic and functional vinyl monomers, wherein the monomers are present in the copolymer in the form of statistically distributed building blocks, and, if a functional vinyl monomer is present as a building block in the copolymer, that building block is, where appropriate, modified with a reactive vinyl monomer (c), the reactive vinyl monomer (c) being linked to a building block of a functional vinyl monomer with retention of its vinylic group and with the formation of a covalent bond.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web containing superfine microfibers. The web contains a blend of a first group of split microfibers which contains a first polymer component and a second group of split microfibers which contains a second polymer component, wherein at least one of the polymer components is hydrophilic. The invention additionally provides a meltblown fiber web having at least two groups of fibers, wherein each group of the fibers has a distinct cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of mouldings, in particular contact lenses, in which a soluble prepolymer comprising units containing a crosslinkable group and at least one unit containing a modifier is crosslinked in solution, and to mouldings, in particular contact lenses, obtainable by this process. The present invention likewise relates to novel prepolymers which can be employed in the novel process, in particular derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 which comprises from about 0.

Abstract: A method of making an ophthalmic lens including the steps of: preparing a polymerizable composition comprising excessive oxygen content; contacting the polymerizable composition with a gas that is inert or substantially inert to the polymerizable composition, and deoxygenating or partially deoxygenating the polymerizable composition; conveying all or part of the polymerizable composition to an ophthalmic lens mold; polymerizing all or part of the polymerizable composition and obtaining a polymeric ophthalmic lens, and the lens produced by such process.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of contact lenses, a polymerizable contact lens material is dispensed into a mould half (1) and the mould is subsequently closed by means of the second mould half (2). The material located between the two mould halves in the moulding cavity (12) is then polymerized, thus forming an as yet unhydrated contact lens (CL). The moulding surface of one of the two mould halves (1, 2) is pre-treated, before use, in a region (20) outside the optically active zone of the contact lens (CL) in such a manner that, when the mould is opened, the contact lens (CL) adheres to the pre-treated mould half.

Abstract: The present invention describes an ophthalmic composition diclofenac potassium, the use of said composition as a medicament for treating inflammatory conditions of the eye, for treating glaucoma or for treating ear inflammatory conditions and/or painful conditions (otitis)-l as well as the use of diclofenac potassium in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of any inflammatory condition of the eye, for treating glaucoma or for treating ear inflammatory and/or painful conditions (otitis).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of angiotensin antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of normal tension glaucoma, wherein said angiotensin antagonist and salt thereof have pronunced selectivity for the AT1 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid distribution layer for absorbent articles which exhibits directional liquid distribution properties and has desirable physical integrity. The liquid distribution layer is a nonwoven web of substantially continuous microfibers that has its fibers substantially aligned along one planar dimension of the web, wherein the fibers are hydrophilically modified or hydrophilic. Additionally, the liquid distribution layer may have an increasing fiber alignment gradient as well as a decreasing fiber thickness gradient in the direction of the web thickness. Further provided are suitable processes for producing the liquid distribution layer.

Abstract: A fixture device and method for uniformly and efficiently treating an article in a gaseous atmosphere. The fixture device provides a plurality of point contact support locations for supporting the article during the treatment. The fixture device and treatment method are especially useful in the plasma treatment of contact lenses to improve surface biocompatibility and hydrophilicity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-supporting laminate filter medium having an electret lofty spunbond web and an electret microfiber web, wherein the spunbond web has a density between about 0.01 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.1 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of tinted mouldings, in particular tinted contact lenses, in which a crosslinkable tinted polymer comprising units containing a crosslinkable group and units containing a reactive dye radical is crosslinked in solution, and to tinted mouldings, in particular tinted contact lenses, obtainable by this process.

Abstract: A container, composition and method for preserving treatment solutions, in which the composition includes weak and strong preservatives. The dispensing container includes media within a dispensing tip which media removes or alters the strong preservative, while allowing the weak preservative to inhibit microbial growth in the tip media. The dispensing container is especially useful in delivering to the ocular environment ophthalmic solutions which are essentially free of strong preservative which may cause patient discomfort. A dispensing container including a pH-preserved pilocarpine solution is disclosed in one embodiment.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a highly absorbent, high strength wiper, which comprises the steps of providing a bonded nonwoven web selected from the group consisting of spunbond fiber webs and staple fiber webs, stretching the nonwoven web by applying a stretching tension in at least one direction, aperturing the nonwoven web while maintaining the stretching tension, and relaxing the apertured web, thereby returning the apertured nonwoven web substantially to its pre-stretched dimensions, wherein the process is conducted at a temperature below the softening point of the nonwoven web. The invention also provides a nonwoven wiper produced in accordance with the production process.