Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael U. Lee
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Patent number: 5858996Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the decomposition rate of polymeric bioadhesives and viscosity enhancers, such as poly(acrylic acids). The compositions include at least one strong, stable chelating agent, preferably an organophosphorous compound such as diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid). These biocompatible compositions are especially useful in the ophthalmic field.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventor: Fu-Pao Tsao
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Patent number: 5856416Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerizable derivatives of carbohydrates comprising a compound of formula (I)R.sup.1 --(COO--Alk).sub.m --(OCONH--R).sub.n --(NHCO).sub.p --Y--Z (I)whereinR.sup.1 is a radically polymerizable hydrocarbon group;m, n and p are 0 or 1;Alk is alkylene having up to 10 carbon atoms;R is a diradical, having up to 20 carbon atoms, of an organic diisocyanate;Z is a monovalent radical, minus a single hydroxy group, of a mono-, di- or tri-saccharide, of an oligosaccharide, of a cyclodextrin (CD) or of an anhydrosaccharide; andY is --O-- or --NH--;with the proviso that when p is zero, m and n are also zero and Y is --NH--; to homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers and polymeric networks thereof, 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Frank Bachmann, Dieter Lohmann, Peter Chabrecek
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Patent number: 5855784Abstract: The invention provides a sheet filter medium having autogenously bonded uncrimped conjugate fibers which contain a polyolefin and another thermoplastic polymer that have different melting points. The filter medium has a density between about 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.2 g/cm.sup.3. The invention additionally provides a three-dimensionally thermoformed filter medium that has a density between about 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.5 g/cm.sup.3.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Richard Daniel Pike, Kurtis Lee Brown, Peter Wyndham Shipp, Jr.
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Patent number: 5849841Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of mouldings, in particular contact lenses, in which a water-soluble, crosslinkable polymer is crosslinked in solution, and to mouldings, in particular contact lenses, obtainable by this process. The present invention likewise relates to novel water-soluble, crosslinkable polymers, in particular those comprising units of formula (III or IIIa), in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, independently of one another, are hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group, an aryl group or a cyclohexyl group, where these groups can be monosubstituted or polysubstituted, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, and R.sub.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1997Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Andreas Muhlebach, Beat Muller
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Patent number: 5849810Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially contact lenses, in which a soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is crosslinked in solution, and also to mouldings, especially contact lenses, obtainable in accordance with that process. The present invention relates also to novel prepolymers that can be used in the process according to the invention, especially derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 that, based on the number of hydroxy groups of the polyvinyl alcohol, comprise from approximately 0.5 to approximately 80% of units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkylene having up to 8 carbon atoms,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl andR.sup.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1996Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventor: Beat Muller
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Patent number: 5849811Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1996Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignees: CIBA Vision Corporation, The Commonwealth of Australia Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganizationInventors: Paul Clement Nicolson, Richard Carlton Baron, Peter Chabrecek, John Court, Angelika Domschke, Hans Jorg Griesser, Arthur Ho, Jens Hopken, Bronwyn Glenice Laycock, Qin Liu, Dieter Lohmann, Gordon Francis Meijs, Eric Papaspiliotopoulos, Judy Smith Riffle, Klaus Schindhelm, Deborah Sweeney, Wilson Leonard Terry, Jr., Jurgen Vogt, Lynn Cook Winterton
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Patent number: 5846919Abstract: A disinfection solution, primarily for use in conjunction with contact lenses is disclosed comprising an amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable ionic salt which is equivalent in ionic strength to at least 5% w/v sodium chloride, at least one of a C.sub.2-6 alkanol and a C.sub.3-8 alkylene glycol, a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant, optionally a buffer, and water.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Fu-Pao Tsao, Susan Ann Littlefield, John Harlan Stone
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Patent number: 5824276Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly contacting an article with a treatment solution. Preferred embodiments are methods of uniformly tinting of contact lenses or uniformly surface modifying contact lenses. The method involves suspending the lens in the treatment solution by application of fluid flow, preferably sinusoidal or pulsed, in a direction opposite the stagnant force (i.e., sum of buoyancy and gravity forces) on the article. The fluid flow prevents the lens from contacting the container structure for periods sufficient to cause non-uniform treatment conditions, while continuously mixing the treatment solution to maintain uniform concentrations throughout.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Robert A. Janssen, Barbara L. Heyl, Roger J. Hoffman, Thomas E. Shank
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Patent number: 5814178Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a three dimensionally texturized liquid resistant laminate having a fibrous nonwoven layer and a liquid resistant layer. The process has the steps of placing the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer in juxtaposition to form a laminate, attaching the fibrous layer and the liquid resistant layer at a plurality of spaced-apart bond locations, heating the bonded laminate to a temperature that activates the latent shrinkability of the liquid resistant layer, and allowing the heated laminate to retract such that the liquid resistant layer shrinks and said fibrous layer forms gathers between said bond locations, thereby forming a three dimensional texture and heat annealing the laminate. The invention additionally provides a three dimensionally texturized laminate having a fibrous layer and a nonelastic liquid resistant layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Rob L. Jacobs
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Patent number: 5811045Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the present invention a process for making a helically crimped conjugate fiber containing at least a first polymeric composition and a second polymeric composition. The first and second polymeric compositions respectively contain different thermoplastic polymers having different solidification periods. The degree of latent helical crimp is controlled by selective addition of a nucleating agent to at least one of the first and second polymeric compositions. Addition of the nucleating agent to the polymeric composition with a faster solidification period increases the latest crimp and addition of the nucleating agent to the polymeric composition with a slower solidification period decreases the latent crimp.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Richard Daniel Pike
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Patent number: 5807927Abstract: A process for the production of mouldings, in particular contact lenses, in which a water-soluble, crosslinkable polymer is crosslinked in solution, and mouldings, in particular contact lenses, obtainable by this process; and novel water-soluble, crosslinkable polymers which can be employed in the crosslinking process, in particular those based on polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 which comprises units of the formulae: XI and XII, XI and XIII or XI, XII and XIII. In said Formulae, U is (a) or --Y--NH--CO--O--Z--O--CH.dbd.CH.sub.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Friedrich Stockinger, Beat Muller
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Patent number: 5807944Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is an amphiphilic, segmented copolymer of controlled morphology comprising at least one segment having high oxygen permeability, at least one segment having high ion and water permeability, the segments being linked together through a non-hydrolizable bond, and at least one polymerizable unsaturated group; a process for the preparation of the copolymer; to polymeric products obtainable by further polymerizing and optionally cross-linking the amphiphilic segmented copolymer, and to mouldings, especially contact lenses and other ophthalmic devices comprising a polymeric product of the invention. In a specifically preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a contact lens comprising a polymeric product of the invention which is suited for extended periods of wear.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Thomas Hirt, Dieter Lohmann, Jens Hopken, Qin Liu
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Patent number: 5807585Abstract: A preservative for ophthalmic solutions having an active ingredient is provided, having a hydrogen peroxide content of about 0.001% to about 0.10% by weight; and diethylene triamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) or a physiologically compatible salt thereof, present at about 0.002% to 0.03% by weight and/or 0.005% to about 0.20% by weight of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, or physiologically acceptable salt thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Ciba Vision CorporationInventors: Stephen M. Martin, Fu-Pao Tsao
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Patent number: 5805264Abstract: The invention relates to a process for modifying the surface characteristics of a preformed polymer substrate to impart altered properties thereto by graft polymerization on the substrate which includes: placing the polymer substrate in a plasma to form free radicals on the substrate; contacting the substrate having free radicals with oxygen to form hydroperoxy groups on the surface of the substrate; and graft polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer onto the surface of the polymer substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1994Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Robert A. Janssen, Ellen M. Ajello, Richard D. Auten, Glenn S. Nomura, Thomas E. Shank
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Patent number: 5789464Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially contact lenses, in which a soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is crosslinked in solution, and also to mouldings, especially contact lenses, obtainable in accordance with that process. The present invention relates also to novel prepolymers that can be used in the process according to the invention, especially derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 that, based on the number of hydroxy groups of the polyvinyl alcohol, comprise from approximately 0.5 to approximately 80% of units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkylene having up to 8 carbon atoms,R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl andR.sup.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventor: Beat Muller
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Patent number: 5789461Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Ciba Vision CorporationInventors: Paul Clement Nicolson, Richard Carlton Baron, Peter Chabrecek, John Court, Angelika Domschke, Hans Jorg Griesser, Arthur Ho, Jens Hopken, Bronwyn Glenice Laycock, Qin Liu, Dieter Lohmann, Gordon Francis Meijs, Eric Papaspiliotopoulos, Judy S. Riffle, Klaus Schindhelm, Deborah Sweeney, Wilson Leonard Terry, Jr., Jurgen Vogt, Lynn Cook Winterton
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Patent number: 5782460Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially optical lenses, specifically contact lenses (CL), a starting material that is crosslinkable by the impingement of suitable energy is introduced into a mould (1) having a cavity (15), which mould is at least partially permeable to the energy concerned. The starting material is introduced into the cavity in a still at least partially uncrosslinked state, the mould cavity determining the shape of the moulding (CL) to be produced. By means of impingement of the energy concerned, the starting material is crosslinked to an extent sufficient for it to be possible for the moulding (CL) to be released from the mould. The filling of the mould cavity is carried out in the starting material that is still at least partially in the uncrosslinked state.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Otto Kretzschmar, Sharla Borghorst, John Golby, Peter Hagmann, Peter Herbrechtsmeier, Bernhard Seiferling, Beat Muller
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Patent number: 5776381Abstract: In a process for the production of optical lenses, in particular contact lenses, a lens material is introduced between two mould halves. The mould halves each have a moulding surface and enclose a cavity in the closed state of the mould. After the lens material has been introduced the two moulding surfaces are moved towards each other and the lens material is enclosed in the cavity. If necessary, the lens material enclosed in the cavity is then polymerised. The first moulding surface is provided on the one mould half and the other mould half includes a mould part that is movable inside it with a close fit in the manner of a piston and on which the second moulding surface is provided, so that by moving that mould part towards the first moulding surface the cavity is closed. For this purpose, the two mould halves are first assembled, then the movable mould part which has the second moulding surface is moved in the direction towards the first moulding surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1997Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventor: Lothar Haase
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Patent number: 5776999Abstract: An ophthalmic lens screening method suited for extended-wear for 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: CIBA Vision CorporationInventors: Paul Clement Nicolson, Richard Carlton Baron, Peter Chabrecek, John Court, Angelika Domschke, Hans Jorg Griesser, Arthur Ho, Jens Hopken, Bronwyn Glenice Laycock, Qin Liu, Dieter Lohmann, Gordon Francis Meijs, Eric Papaspiliotopoulos, Judy Smith Riffle, Klaus Schindhelm, Deborah Sweeney, Wilson Leonard Terry, Jr., Jurgen Vogt, Lynn Cook Winterton
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Patent number: D401060Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1996Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Inventors: David George Delle Donne, Jeffrey Gates, Peter Jepson