Abstract: A method is disclosed for inhibiting adhesion of bacteria to the surface of a biomedical device comprising contacting the surface of said biomedical device with a cationic polysaccharide in aqueous solution having an ionic strength of from about 0.01 to about 0.13.

Abstract: A dispersant slurry for making spandex, based on phosphated block poly(alkylsiloxane)-poly(alkyleneether) alcohol or aromatic- or alkylaromatic-terminated phosphated poly(alkyleneether) alcohol dispersants, is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting the binding of a biguanide disinfectant in aqueous solution to a poly(ethylene) solid in contact with said solution comprising providing in said solution an amount of cyclodextrin sufficient to inhibit binding of the biguanide disinfectant to the poly(ethylene) solid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the surface treatment of silicone medical devices such as contact lenses and medical implants. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of modifying the surface of a medical device to increase its biocompatibility or hydrophilicity by coating the device with a hydrophilic polymer by means of reaction between reactive functionalities on the hydrophilic polymer which functionalities are complementary to reactive functionalities on or near the surface of the medical device. The present invention is also directed to a contact lens or other medical device having such a surface coating.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biguanide-containing disinfecting solution containing tyloxapol in combination with a poloxamine for stabilizing the biguanide, which is especially useful for contact-lens solutions that provide enhanced disinfecting and enhanced cleaning efficacy. The method of the present invention comprises cleaning and disinfecting a contact lens with the above-described solution.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the amount of cosmetic defects in contact lenses made from hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers. By filtering the monomer mixture with a filter, the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components are finely dispersed throughout the mixture. Dissolved gases contained within the mixture are also finely dispersed. Contact lenses produced from this method have improved optical quality.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating dry eye by instilling eyedrops of a composition containing a cationic cellulosic polymer. Such compositions have been found to alleviate the symptoms of dry eye without requiring the presence of anionic therapeutic agents. Low ionic strength solutions are particularly preferred.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optically clear, hydrophilic coating upon the surface of a silicone hydrogel lens by plasma treating the lens and subsequently heating the lens in an aqueous solution containing a surface-protective agent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for selecting contact lenses to reduce corneal staining. The method selects contact lens materials based upon the ratio of the water diffusion coefficient to the ion diffusion coefficient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions and methods used as in-the-eye and/or out-of-eye inhibitors of proteinaceous deposits on hydrophilic contact lenses. Compositions of the present invention comprise moderately charged polyquaternium polymers that selectively bind to hydrophilic contact lenses to block the binding of proteinaceous materials. Compositions of the present invention may be used in multipurpose cleaning solutions for contact lenses and can eliminate the need for special enzyme cleaners and the like for removing proteinaceous materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biguanide-containing disinfecting solution containing a particular type of poloxamine for stabilizing a polymeric biguanide. The poloxamine surfactant comprises at least about 90 weight percent of poly(oxyethylene) and poly(oxypropylene) segments, in one or more copolymer chains, wherein the weight average molecular weight of said surfactant is from about 10,000 to about 30,000 and wherein at least about 70 weight percent of said poly(oxyethylene) and poly(oxypropylene) segments are poly(oxyethylene) segments, and wherein the HLB value is at least 27. The method of the present invention comprises cleaning and disinfecting a contact lens with the above-described solution. Products according to the present invention provide enhanced cleaning while maintaining biocidal efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses, which compositions comprise a carbonate or bicarbonate salt, a non-carbonate buffer system, an antimicrobial agent, and a non-ionic surfactant. Products according to the present invention, especially multi-purpose solutions, provide simultaneous disinfection and cleaning of contact lenses including the prevention or removal of protein and lipid deposits and other debris.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the water diffusion coefficient of a biocompatible material. The method measures water diffusion through the biocompatible material by detecting the presence of hydrogen ions in D2O by NMR analysis.

Abstract: There are disclosed compositions and methods for treating the surface of the eye, or contact tenses to be placed on the eye, with an aqueous composition comprising a quaternary nitrogen-containing ethoxylated glycoside and a therapeutic agent. The subject invention is particularly suited for use with silicone-containing contact lenses. Examples of specific compositions include aqueous solutions of lauryl methyl gluceth-10 hydroxypropyl-dimonium chloride in combination with anionic polysaccharides such as hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating a silicone-hydrogel contact lenses while worn in the eye. In particular, the method employs an ophthalmic solution containing a cationic cellulosic polymer that binds to the lens and prevents the accumulation of lipids, proteins and other products, particularly during extended use of the lens. The addition of one or more surfactants to the solution further maintains the lens clean during use. Such a solution is intended to be applied, in the form of drops, to contact lens in the eye.

Abstract: This invention relates to the packaging or dispensing of hydrogel contact lenses in a dry state. By packaging hydrogel lenses dry, the risk of bacterial growth and package or product degradation commonly associated with hydrated lenses is reduced or eliminated, thereby significantly extending product shelf life. The application of a material or the placement of a divider between unhydrated lenses prevents the lenses from adhering to each other and allows manufacturers to package lenses in more space-efficient packaging. Such a packaging and dispensing system dramatically simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacturing, storing, packaging, inventorying, and distributing hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A method for obtaining contact lenses having optimized visual acuity involves providing the anterior surface or the posterior surface of the contact lens with a conic section having a shape factor value within the range of about 0.3 to 2.0, the shape factor value being selected so as to adjust spherical aberration in the central optical zone to a value within the range of about −0.2 diopter to about −0.6 diopter and to a value that provides optimal visual acuity.

Abstract: The present invention is a single-use container useful for the storage and dispension of small quantities of liquids. The subject container is particularly useful for dispensing sterile, preservative-free formulations, such as those used in single dose eye drop applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the surface treatment of silicone hydrogel contact lenses. In particular, the present invention is directed to a method of modifying the surface of a contact lens to increase its hydrophilicity by coating the lens with a carbon-containing layer made from a diolefinic compound having 4 to 8 carbon atoms. In one embodiment, an optically clear, hydrophilic coating is provided upon the surface of a silicone hydrogel lens by sequentially subjecting the surface of the lens to: a plasma oxidation reaction, followed by a plasma polymerization reaction in a the presence of a diolefin in the absence of air. Finally, the resulting carbon layer is rendered hydrophilic by a further plasma oxidation reaction or by the attachment of a hydrophilic polymer chains.

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 reaction in a hydrocarbon atmosphere to form a carbon layer, and then graft polymerizinga mixture of monomers comprising hydrophilic monomers onto the carbon layer. The invention is especially useful for forming a biocompatible coating on silicone hydrogel contact lenses.