Abstract: The invention provides methods of making hydrolyzed cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels by polymerizing vinyl acetate (VAc) monomers to polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) polymer network by chemical-crosslinking and hydrolysis. The invention also provides methods for including pendant chains in the hydrogel during the polymerization process. Materials produced and use of the cross-linked hydrolyzed PVA hydrogels also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The silicone rubber composition disclosed here is formed a configuration in which vitamin E or a derivative thereof, or a salt of any one thereof is dispersed at least at a portion of the silicone rubber. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a medical apparatus that involves mixing a silicone rubber precursor with vitamin E or a derivative thereof, or a salt of any one thereof and hardening the obtained mixture, or a process of infiltrating a silicone rubber into vitamin E or a derivative thereof, or a salt of any one thereof in a liquid state. Further, the method of manufacturing a medical apparatus as disclosed here includes installing the obtained silicone rubber composition onto a medical apparatus; hermetically packaging the obtained medical apparatus; and irradiating radiation to the hermetically packaged medical apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of making hydrolyzed cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels by polymerizing vinyl acetate (VAc) monomers to polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) polymer network by chemical-crosslinking and hydrolysis. The invention also provides methods for including pendant chains in the hydrogel during the polymerization process. Materials produced and use of the cross-linked hydrolyzed PVA hydrogels also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compounds are provided for use in an electrolyte comprising repeating unit selected from the group consisting of cyclic and heterocyclic species having y carbon atoms and z heteroatoms, X, and where y is 4, 5 or 6 and z is 0, 1 or 2. The heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, S and N. The repeating unit is further substituted by four to six pendant groups having the formula, (CHR.sub.1).sub.m O(CHR.sub.1 CHR.sub.1 O).sub.n Y, where the majority of pendant groups comprises at least two O and further,in which m is 0 or 1,in which n is in the range of 0 to 25,in which each R.sub.1 is the same or different and R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, allylic and alkenyl radicals having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and Y, andin which each Y is the same or different and Y is a functional group selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functionalities, plasticizing agents and ionic species. Electrolytes, plasticizers and macroions prepared from these compounds are described.

Abstract: Compounds are provided for use in an electrolyte comprising repeating unit selected from the group consisting of cyclic and heterocyclic species having y carbon atoms and z heteroatoms, X, and where y is 4, 5 or 6 and z is 0, 1 or 2. The heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, S and N. The repeating unit is further substituted by four to six pendant groups having the formula, (CHR.sub.1).sub.m O(CHR.sub.1 CHR.sub.1 O).sub.n Y, where the majority of pendant groups comprises at least two O and further,in which m is 0 or 1,in which n is in the range of 0 to 25,in which each R.sub.1 is the same or different and R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, allylic and alkenyl radicals having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and Y, andin which each Y is the same or different and Y is a functional group selected from the group consisting of polymerizable functionalities, plasticizing agents and ionic species. Electrolytes, plasticizers and macro-ions prepared from these compounds are described.

Abstract: A slippery orthopedic cast tape produced by depositing onto a substrate a layer of microencapsulated lubricating or friction-reducing material. The substrate is impregnated with a material which is hardenable upon exposure to an activating agent. The coating of each one of the microgranules is formed of a material which is removable upon the application thereto of a removing stimulus. The microencapsulated lubricious material is applied to the inner end of a rolled cast tape so that it will be adjacent the outer layers of a formed cast. In one embodiment, the microgranules are formed of a water-insoluble polymeric coating over a polyethoxylated surfactant which serves as the lubricious material, the polymeric coating being rupturable upon the application of pressure in order to release the lubricious material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fat substitute comprising an ethoxyloted sugar or sugar alcohol sucrose fatty acid ester. Between 1 and about 50 alkoxyl groups are attached by ether linkages to each polyol molecule. Each ethoxylated polyol is esterified with between about 6 and about 8 fatty acid groups, the fatty acids containing between about 2 and about 24 carbon atoms. The invention also relates to a low calorie fat-containing food composition which comprises: (a) non-fat ingredients; and (b) fat ingredients, from about 10% to about 100% by weight of said fat ingredients consisting essentially of the above-described fat substitute.

Abstract: The invention is a low calorie fat-containing food composition. From 10% to 100% of the fat ingredients consist of alkoxylated alkyl glycosides esterified with fatty acids. Between 1 and about 50 alkoxyl groups are attached by ether linkages to each alkyl glycoside molecule, and not more than about 12 alkoxyl groups are attached to each attachment site of an alkyl glycoside molecule. Each alkoxylated alkyl glycoside molecule is esterified with between 4 and 7 fatty acid groups, the fatty acids containing between about 2 and about 24 carbon atoms. Preferred alkoxylated alkyl glycosides are ethoxylated methyl glucosides.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which involves the preparation of monomeric organosilicon esters in a much shorter time and at a much higher purification than previously known in the art. More specifically, the process comprises reacting a cyclosilalkoxane having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical free of aliphatic unsaturation, R' is selected from the group consisting of H and CH.sub.3 and n is an integral of from 1 to 2 inclusive with a free radical polymerizable monocarboxylic acid. The cyclosilalkoxane is contacted with the free radical polymerizable monocarboxylic acid in the presence of a solvent. The solvent forms an azeotropic mixture with the water formed by the reaction. During the reaction, the azeotropic mixture is continuously removed from the reaction. Also present in the reaction solution is a protonating acid catalyst and a free radical polymerization preventing inhibitor.

Abstract: Monomeric polysiloxanes end-capped with activated unsaturated groups and polymers and copolymers thereof are disclosed herein for use as contact lenses and biomedical devices with improved properties, such as, oxygen transportability, hydrolytic stability, biological inertness, transparency and improved strength without the use of fillers. The polymer composition comprises a poly(organosiloxane) monomer .alpha.,.omega. terminally bonded through divalent hydrocarbon groups to polymerized free radical polymerizably activated unsaturated groups. Contact lenses and biomedical devices i.e. shaped article for use in biomedical applications made therefrom can be "hard" or "soft". This hardness or softness is a function of the comonomer or the molecular weight of the monomers. Preferably the contact lenses and biomedical devices are "soft".The copolymer compositions of the instant invention comprise the polymerization product of the polysiloxane monomers and monomer or monomers containing an activated vinyl group.

Abstract: Monomeric polysiloxanes end-capped with activated unsaturated groups and polymers and copolymers thereof are disclosed herein for use as contact lenses with improved properties, such as, oxygen transportability, hydrolytic stability, biological inertness, transparency and improved strength without the use of fillers. The polymer composition comprises a poly(organosiloxane) .alpha., .omega. terminally bonded through a divalent hydrocarbon group to a polymerized activated unsaturated group. Contact lenses made therefrom can be, as commonly referred to, "hard" or "soft". This hardness or softness is a function of the comonomer or the molecular weight of the monomers. Preferable the contact lenses are "soft".The copolymer compositions of the instant invention comprise the polymerization product of the polysiloxane monomers and monomer or monomers containing an activated vinyl group. These polymers are employed to make optical products, e.g. contact lenses, intraocular implants, etc.