Hydrophilic Patents (Class 351/159.33)
  • Patent number: 11861823
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for quantifying contact lens deposition. An example method may comprise disposing a contact lens sample in a fluid well. The example method may comprise disposing a volume of tear fluid in the well with the contact lens sample. The example method may comprise capturing pre-rinse images of the contact lens sample. The example method may comprise rinsing the contact lens sample. The example method may comprise capturing post-rinse images of the contact lens after the rinsing. The example method may comprise determining, using one or more of the tear images or the post-rinse images, a deposition metric. The example method may comprise outputting the deposition metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Li, Bailin Liang
  • Patent number: 11782295
    Abstract: A contact lens incorporating one or more surface modified zones on the anterior surface of the lens may be utilized to generate a friction driven rotational force when the upper and/or lower eyelids pass over the one or more regions during blinking. A small difference in the coefficient of friction between the modified and unmodified regions of the lens may result in an equivalent rotational force to that of a thickness gradient lens. This small difference in the coefficient of friction produces a means to orient and stabilize the contact lens on eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Franklin, Cornelis Petrus Hendriks, Gregory Hofmann, Jason Tokarski, Thom Warmerdam
  • Patent number: 11760045
    Abstract: A silicone hydrogel composition includes a first hydrophilic monomer, a siloxane compound, a first crosslinking monomer, a second hydrophilic monomer, and a second crosslinking monomer. The first hydrophilic monomer and the siloxane compound have an acrylate group or an acrylamide group and may also have a methacrylate group or a methacrylamide group. The first crosslinking monomer has a plurality of acrylate groups or acrylamide groups and may also have methacrylate groups or methacrylamide groups. The second hydrophilic monomer has a non-conjugated vinyl group. The second crosslinking monomer has a plurality of non-conjugated vinyl groups. A sum of the weight of the second hydrophilic monomer and the weight of the second crosslinking monomer is 40 to 100 parts by weight, relative to 100 parts by weight of the sum of the weight of the first hydrophilic monomer, the weight of the siloxane compound, and the weight of the first crosslinking monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: PEGAVISION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu-Chin Lai, Ting-Chun Kuan, Di-Yao Hsu, Fang-Yu Tsai, Min-Tzung Yeh
  • Patent number: 11708440
    Abstract: Disclosed are hydrophobic, acrylic materials having both high refractive index and a high Abbe number. The materials may have an internal wetting agent, are well suited for use as implantable ophthalmic devices, and have a refractive index which may be edited through application of energy. When used for an intraocular lens, the high refractive index allows for a thin lens which compresses to allow a small incision size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Azaam Alli, Bart A. Johnson, Scott L. Joslin
  • Patent number: 11703697
    Abstract: A contact lens includes a posterior element, an anterior element, and a first fluid. The posterior element is adapted to conform to a surface of an eye when the contact lens is mounted on the eye. The anterior element is coupled to the posterior element to form a cavity within the contact lens. A flexibility of the posterior element is greater than a flexibility of the anterior element. The first fluid is disposed within the cavity and a distribution of the first fluid within the cavity changes in response to the posterior element conforming to the eye when the contact lens is mounted on the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Stein Kuiper, Daniel Otts
  • Patent number: 11572429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrogel based on vinyl caprolactam, with or without additional monomers, and at least two crosslinkers. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining said material and to the use thereof to culture cells/engineer cell monolayers, as well as supports for cell culture and transplant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Inventors: Alberto Gallardo Ruiz, Juan Rodríguez Hernández, Helmut Reinecke, Carlos Elvira Pujalte, Carolina García Sánchez, Enríque Martínez Campos
  • Patent number: 11547552
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing and implanting corneal inlays, such as small diameter corneal inlays, are provided. The methods include manufacturing an implant body to have a meniscus shape with a small diameter and an index of refraction, and implanting the implant body in a corneal bed of a cornea. The inlays cause a change in an anterior surface of the cornea after implantation due to the implant body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: RVO 2.0, INC
    Inventors: Jon Dishler, Troy A. Miller, Alexander Vatz, James R. Alexander
  • Patent number: 11540949
    Abstract: A system for the treatment of the dry eye syndrome that is based on a light source. The system includes a disposable tip, to treat an eyelid. A corneal shield is used to protect the patient's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: LUMENIS BE LTD.
    Inventors: May Kleinman Ben Tsvi, Yosef Birman, Hernan Altman
  • Patent number: 11534994
    Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves heating a silicone hydrogel contact lens in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, highly branched, thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having positively-charged azetidinium groups, to and at a temperature from about 40° C. to about 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one azetidinium group and one of the reactive functional groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, thereby forming a crosslinked hydrophilic coating on the silicone hydrogel contact lens. Such method can be advantageously implemented directly in a sealed lens package during autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxing Qiu, Newton T. Samuel, John Dallas Pruitt, Chandana Kolluru, Arturo Norberto Medina, Lynn Cook Winterton, Daqing Wu, Xinming Qian, Jared Nelson
  • Patent number: 11525943
    Abstract: The invention is to provide an ophthalmic lens comprising a lens body, a polydopamine layer formed on the surface of the lens body and an antimicrobial layer bonded to the polydopamine layer, and manufacturing method thereof, wherein the antimicrobial layer is formed from a copolymer of carboxyl-containing polymer and zwitterionic polymer and a crosslinking agent, and the zwitterionic polymer can be selected from one of the group consisting of phosphorylcholine polymer, sulfobetaine polymer, carboxybetaine polymer and mixed-charge polymer or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BenQ Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Fan-Dan Jan
  • Patent number: 11526028
    Abstract: The invention is to provide an ophthalmic lens comprising a lens body and an antimicrobial hydrophilic layer thereon and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein the antimicrobial hydrophilic layer comprises a polydopamine layer and a zwitterionic polymer non-covalently bonded on the polydopamine layer, and the zwitterionic polymer can be selected from one of the group consisting of phosphorylcholine polymer, sulfobetaine polymer, carboxybetaine polymer, mixed-charge polymer and a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BenQ Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Fan-Dan Jan
  • Patent number: 11427685
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The method of the invention is characterized by using an organic solvent as a processing-aid tool for controlling lens diameter without significantly affecting lens equilibrium water content during cast-molding of soft contact lenses from a polymerizable composition. By adjusting the weight percentage of the organic solvent in a polymerizable composition for making SiHy contact lenses, one can adjust lens diameter of produced SiHy lenses to meet target without affecting adversely the lens properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Daqing Wu, Steve Yun Zhang, Junhao Ge, Richard Charles Breitkopf, Augustine Twum Kumi, Weihong Lang
  • Patent number: 11385478
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing soft contact lenses comprises a silicone hydrogel lens body and a composite coating thereon. The composite coating comprises: a plasma base coating which is chemically-attached directly onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens and functions as a fail-proof measure for ensuring the hydrophobic silicone hydrogel lens material to be shielded from any exposure to ocular environments even after at least 30 days of daily uses including daily waring and daily cleaning/disinfecting; and a relatively-durable lubricious hydrogel top coating for ensuring wearing comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxing Qiu, John Dallas Pruitt, Kelly Kayi Tallau, Angela Driver-Scott, Chung-Yuan Chiang
  • Patent number: 11320622
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens containing resin, and a lens holder configured to hold the lens via an adhesive. The lens includes a first area, and a second area, the adhesive being applied to the second area, and the second area being adhered to the lens holder and containing more oxides or modified materials of the resin than the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshifumi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 11194077
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophilic coating method for contact lens surface, firstly performing a hydration procedure S1 to form a hydrated polymer from a non-hydrated polymer, then sequentially contacting the hydrated polymer with a first solution and a second solution containing a high molecular compound at a specific temperature between 50° C. and 70° C. to complete a first hydration process S2 and a second hydration process S3. A contact lens 1 obtained according to the above procedures has a contact angle ranging from about 30° to 65°, and proteins and lipids are not easily deposited on a surface of the contact lens 1, thereby providing the user with good comfort when wearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: UNICON OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji-Yu Lin, Hsu-Kuei Hsiao, Ting-Hsuan Lin
  • Patent number: 11181754
    Abstract: Embodiments of the technology relate to a contact lens having a core that is covalently coated by a hydrogel layer, and to methods of making such a lens. In one aspect, embodiments provide for a coated contact lens comprising a lens core comprising an outer surface; and a hydrogel layer covalently attached to at least a portion of the outer surface, the hydrogel layer adapted to contact an ophthalmic surface, wherein the hydrogel layer comprises a hydrophilic polymer population having a first PEG species and a second PEG species, the first PEG species being at least partially cross-linked to the second PEG species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tangible Science, LLC
    Inventors: Karen L. Havenstrite, Victor Wayne McCray, Brandon McNary Felkins, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Garrett Cale Smith, Paul A. Cook, Evan S. Luxon, Andrew A. McGibbon
  • Patent number: 11142607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer having a) a polymer backbone and b) one or more polymeric side chains covalently linked to the polymer backbone, wherein the polymeric side chains comprise a polyether segment and a polysiloxane segment, said polysiloxane segment having a number average molecular weight in the range of 1050 to 6000, and said polyether segment being positioned between the polymer backbone and the polysiloxane segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: BYK-Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Guillaume Wojciech Jaunky, Marc Eberhardt, Mark Heekeren, Sven Tenbusch, Olaf Muschiolik, Jürgen Hartmann, Petra Della Valentina
  • Patent number: 11061168
    Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves autoclaving, in a sealed lens package, a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a base coating of polyacrylic acid thereon in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having epoxide groups, for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one epoxide group and one of the carboxyl groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Chandana Kolluru, Bradley Quinter
  • Patent number: 11034820
    Abstract: A cellulose ester composition is provided comprising at least one cellulose ester and at least one ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and optionally at least one plasticizer. Processes for producing the cellulose ester compositions as well as articles made using these compositions, such as eyeglass frames, automotive parts, and toys are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Haining An, Michael Eugene Donelson, Wenlai Feng, Thomas Joseph Pecorini, Michael John Rodig, Marcus David Shelby
  • Patent number: 11014065
    Abstract: A hydrophilized material has a surface provided with surface roughness that arithmetic mean roughness is 0.3 ?m to 1.0 ?m and mean width of roughness profile elements is 0.1 mm or less. A hydrophilized member that contacts a liquid is at least partially made of the hydrophilized material. The hydrophilized member is applicable to a gas-liquid contact apparatus having a gas-liquid contact section, a liquid supply system, and a gas supply system, to constitute the gas-liquid contact section as a packing element. Wettability imparted due to the surface roughness is exhibited continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Ryosuke Ikeda, Yoshiyuki Iso, Shiko Nakamura, Hirohito Okuhara, Kenji Takano
  • Patent number: 10920102
    Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves heating a silicone hydrogel contact lens in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, highly branched, thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having positively-charged azetidinium groups, to and at a temperature from about 40° C. to about 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one azetidinium group and one of the reactive functional groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, thereby forming a crosslinked hydrophilic coating on the silicone hydrogel contact lens. Such method can be advantageously implemented directly in a sealed lens package during autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxing Qiu, Newton T. Samuel, John Dallas Pruitt, Chandana Kolluru, Arturo Norberto Medina, Lynn Cook Winterton, Daqing Wu, Xinming Qian, Jared Nelson
  • Patent number: 10914967
    Abstract: One embodiment of a contact lens includes a lens body configured to fit directly on the surface of the eye and legible characters positioned on the lens body. Another embodiment of a contact lens comprises a lens body including polymeric material and a lens enhancing material (e.g., ink, silicone material, medicament material, and the like) encapsulated in the polymeric material. The lens enhancing material can be in the form of isolated sections distributed in the surrounding polymeric material. Methods of making contact lenses include forming a first lens layer including a first surface, forming a pattern on the first surface, and forming a second lens layer over the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MENICON SINGAPORE PTE LTD.
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Patent number: 10816698
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device is disclosed which is a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising: (a) a major amount of one or more first non-silicone-containing hydrophilic monomers; (b) one or more hydrophobic monomers; and (c) a crosslinking agent mixture comprising (i) one or more di-, tri- or tetra(meth)acrylate-containing crosslinking agents and (ii) one or more di-, tri- or tetracarbamate-containing crosslinking agents, wherein the ophthalmic device has an equilibrium water content of at least about 65 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Ivan M. Nuñez, Katie L. Poetz, Joseph W. Hoff, Judith Chapman Morgan
  • Patent number: 10799113
    Abstract: A probe for iridocorneal angle imaging of an eye, the probe comprising: a distal end having a corneal contact surface; a camera having an imaging lens at the distal end and an imaging axis orthogonal to the corneal contact surface; and at least two illumination sources, each illumination source having an illumination axis at an angle to the corneal contact surface such that the imaging axis and the illumination axes converge in the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignees: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, SINGAPORE HEALTH SERVICES PTE LTD
    Inventors: Murukeshan Vadakke Matham, Shinoj Vengalathunadakal Kuttinarayanan, Tin Aung, Baskaran Mani
  • Patent number: 10738297
    Abstract: Hydrogel compositions including a polymer uniformly embedded with a loading agent are provided. Also provided are methods for extrusion printing hydrogel compositions to provide extruded hydrogel compositions, which can be crosslinked to provide crosslinked hydrogel structures. Also provided are methods for using crosslinked hydrogel structures in chemical processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Rose Ann Cattolico, Chloe Ramos Deodato, Alshakim Nelson, Robert Jun Ono, Abhijit Saha, Trevor Gerald Johnston, Dylan Gary Karis
  • Patent number: 10718960
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses with a stable lubricious hydrogel coating thereon providing a low surface friction. A method of the invention comprises forming a plasma-reactive hydrophilic polymer hybrid base coating having reactive functional groups on a silicone hydrogel contact lens and heating the silicone hydrogel contact lens with the hybrid base coating in an aqueous solution of a water-soluble and thermally crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material to form a stable lubricious hydrogel coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Harald Bothe
  • Patent number: 10668676
    Abstract: An ophthalmic device is disclosed that is a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising: (a) a major amount of one or more non-silicone-containing hydrophilic monomers; (b) a crosslinking agent mixture comprising (i) one or more first crosslinking agents containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated reactive end groups, wherein the at least two ethylenically unsaturated reactive end groups are (meth)acrylate-containing reactive end groups and (ii) one or more second crosslinking agents containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated reactive end groups wherein at least one of the ethylenically unsaturated reactive end groups is a non-(meth)acrylate reactive end group, and (c) one or more hydrophilic polymers or copolymers comprising one or more hydrophilic units and a thio carbonyl thio fragment of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (“RAFT”) agent wherein the ophthalmic device has an equilibrium water content of at least about 45 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Ivan M. Nuñez, Lynn Coullard, Daniel J. Hook, Robert B. Steffen, Daniel M. Ammon, Jennifer M. Hunt, Analuz Mark
  • Patent number: 10633472
    Abstract: A method of producing an ultra-high Dk material includes contacting and reacting a fluoroalkyl methacrylate; an alkyl glycol dimethacrylate; a hydrophilic agent, such as methacrylic acid; a hydroxyalkyl tris(trimethylsiloxy)silane; a hydroxyalkyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane; and styrylethyltris(trimethylsiloxy)silane. The reaction is conducted within an inert atmosphere at a pressure of at least 25 pounds per square inch (PSI) and for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to produce the ultra-high Dk material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Acuity Polymers, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Bonafini, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10598825
    Abstract: The invention is related to a medical device comprising a core material made of a crosslinked silicone material and a hydrogel coating which is thermodynamically stable. The invention is also related to a method for producing such a medical device, especially a soft contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Xinming Qian, Frank Chang, Yasuo Matsuzawa, Venkat Shankar
  • Patent number: 10591749
    Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device having an elastic modulus of 100 kPa or more and 2,000 kPa or less, a water content of 10% by mass or less, a tensile elongation of 50% or more and 3,000% or less, and a dynamic contact angle (advancing angle) relative to a borate buffer of 80° or less. The present invention can significantly reduce or avoid a phenomenon of adhesion to a surface when contacted with a surface outside or inside the body, which has hitherto been regarded as a problem in a conventional medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masataka Nakamura, Rumiko Kitagawa, Ryuta Tamiya
  • Patent number: 10589479
    Abstract: The invention is generally related to colored contact lenses which comprise a hydrogel lens body having an opaque color image therein and/or thereon and a durable lubricious coating thereon. The coating comprises an anchoring layer of a polyanionic polymer having carboxyl groups and a hydrogel layer which is derived from a hydrophilic polymeric material having azetidinium groups and is covalently attached onto the anchoring layer of the polyanionic polymer through linkages each formed between one carboxyl group and one azetidinium groups. The colored contact lens has a surface lubricity better than the lubricity of the non-silicone hydrogel lens body and a friction rating of about 2 or lower after 7 cycles of manual rubbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Carey Tucker, John Dallas Pruitt, Yongxing Qiu
  • Patent number: 10563090
    Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves heating a silicone hydrogel contact lens in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, highly branched, thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having positively-charged azetidinium groups, to and at a temperature from about 40° C. to about 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one azetidinium group and one of the reactive functional groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, thereby forming a crosslinked hydrophilic coating on the silicone hydrogel contact lens. Such method can be advantageously implemented directly in a sealed lens package during autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Yongxing Qiu, Newton T. Samuel, John Dallas Pruitt, Chandana Kolluru, Arturo Norberto Medina, Lynn Cook Winterton, Daqing Wu, Xinming Qian, Jared Nelson
  • Patent number: 10526470
    Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for producing water-soluble thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric materials. Resultant materials can find particular use in preparing a packaging solution used for packaging and autoclaving medical devices, especially contact lenses. Those packaging solutions are especially suitable for forming a relatively-thick and soft hydrogel coatings on contact lenses or medical devices according to an in-package-crosslinking (IPC) processes. The resultant non-silicone hydrogel coatings can have a superior lubricity (a friction rating of 0) with minimized or no surface cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Chung-Yuan Chiang, Yongxing Qiu, Kelly Kayi Tallau, Angela Driver-Scott
  • Patent number: 10525170
    Abstract: Medical devices with a hydrogel layer covalently attached to a portion of the outer surface of the medical device are provided along with methods for applying the coating. The hydrogel layer can include a first polymer species comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) and a second polymer species. Examples of the second polymer species include PEG and polyacrylamide (PAM). The first and second species can be at least partially cross-linked. Methods for forming the hydrogel coatings on the medical devices are provided including nucleophilic conjugate reactions, such as Click reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Tangible Science, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Havenstrite, Victor W. McCray, Brandon M. Felkins, Paul Cook
  • Patent number: 10502978
    Abstract: Provided are articles such as medical devices which comprise at least one water soluble, crosslinked copolymer. The primary polymer chains of the copolymer are hydrophilic and independently have a degree of polymerization in the range of about 10 to about 10,000. The water soluble, crosslinked copolymers of the present invention are free from terminal substrate associating segments. The copolymers may be incorporated into a formulation from which the article is made or may be contacted with the article post-formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Scales, Kevin P. McCabe, Brent Matthew Healy
  • Patent number: 10502867
    Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising a block copolymer of the following formula: [A]-B-[Q], wherein [A] is a polymer that has an affinity for a substrate; B is a linking group comprising an optionally-substituted, polyvalent linking group having a molecular weight of no more than 1000 g/mole; and [Q] comprises a semi-crosslinked, ungelled polymer derived from copolymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer with a poly-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer. Such block copolymers are cross-linked via the [Q] segment, but not macroscopically gelled. The [Q] segment is hydrophilic and has a degree of polymerization in the range of about 10 to about 10,000. The [A] segment is located on at least one terminal end of said block copolymer, comprises between about 1 and about 200 repeating units. The block copolymer is associated, via the linear substrate associative segment with a surface comprising at least one hydrophobic site, such as a silicone hydrogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Scales, Kevin P. McCabe, Brent Matthew Healy
  • Patent number: 10472319
    Abstract: Described herein are dimethyl acetal-containing UV-absorbing compounds and their uses in preparing UV-absorbing polyvinyl alcohol prepolymers suitable for producing UV-absorbing contact lenses capable of blocking ultra-violet (“UV”) radiation and optionally (but preferably) violet radiation with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm, thereby protecting eyes to some extent from damages caused by UV radiation and potentially from violet radiation. This invention also provides a UV-absorbing polyvinyl alcohol prepolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Frank Chang, Ryan DeSousa, Troy Vernon Holland, Walter R. Laredo
  • Patent number: 10463766
    Abstract: Opthalmic devices, particularly intraocular lenses (IOL), with improved contrast sensitivity and methods of making same. In one aspect, blue light blocking chromophores (BLBC) are diffused into, e.g. an IOL lens body to create a BLBC gradient in the lens. Orange dyes are preferred BLBCs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KEY MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Khalid Mentak
  • Patent number: 10459250
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enhance levels of oxygen in tear fluid under a worn advanced contact lens are described. The advanced contact lens may include an insert which is impermeable to fluid flow across its body. The method of enhancement may include creating pores through the insert, creating channels in portions of the contact lens body, including layers of absorptive material, including devices to generate or release oxygen or means of moving tear fluid under the contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Pugh, Adam Toner, Frederick A. Flitsch
  • Patent number: 10449740
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for producing silicone hydrogel contact lenses having a stable lubricious coating thereon without involving use of organic solvent in post-curing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Xinming Qian, Jared Nelson, Robert Carey Tucker, Steve Yun Zhang, Daqing Wu, Leroy Wainaina Muya, Dharmesh Patel, Zach Munoz, Yongxing Qiu, Chung-Yuan Chiang, Ritu Shrestha, Kelly Kayi Tallau
  • Patent number: 10398639
    Abstract: A skin adhesive sheet is disclosed which is good in tackiness to the skin surface, does not easily dry even when used for a long time, can maintain flexibility, and is small in the shape variation. The skin adhesive sheet includes a copolymer containing the following components A and C as polymerization components, and having a water content less than 10% by mass: component A: a polysiloxane macromonomer having a plurality of polymerizable functional groups per molecule, and having a number average molecular weight of 6,000 or more; and component C: a polymerizable monomer having an alkyl group and having no fluoroalkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rumiko Kitagawa, Masataka Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10371864
    Abstract: An contact lens or intraocular lens (IOL) with very high water content polymers that have increased hydrolytic stability to withstand high temperatures such as autoclave temperatures, 123 C or even higher temperatures while in an aqueous environment comprising at least one polymer comprising one or more monomeric subunits comprising a polymerized acrylamide or methacrylamide group, at least one side group comprising an aliphatic carbon moiety substituted by at least one hydroxyl moiety, wherein the one or more monomeric subunits comprising a polymerized acrylamide or methacrylamide group, at least one side group comprising an aliphatic carbon moiety substituted by at least one hydroxyl moiety, comprise at least 50 wt. % of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Benz Research and Development Corp.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Benz, Adam Reboul
  • Patent number: 10336102
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Christopher Cole
  • Patent number: 10324233
    Abstract: The invention is related to a medical device comprising a core material made of a crosslinked silicone material and a hydrogel coating which is thermodynamically stable. The invention is also related to a method for producing such a medical device, especially a soft contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Xinming Qian, Frank Chang, Yasuo Matsuzawa, Venkat Shankar
  • Patent number: 10301434
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel block copolymers of general formula (I). The invention further relates to a method for producing such block copolymers and to the use of such block copolymers, particularly as additives in liquid coating-agent compositions. A{X—[O—C(O)NH—Y—NH—C(O)—O-M-B]k}n (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Lothar Engelbrecht, Frank Pirrung, Clemens Auschra, Ralf Knischka, Reiner Kranwetvogel
  • Patent number: 10287429
    Abstract: The present application provides a block copolymer and uses thereof. The block copolymer of the present application exhibits an excellent self-assembling property or phase separation property, and can be provided with a variety of required functions without constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mi Sook Lee, Jung Keun Kim, Se Jin Ku, No Jin Park, Je Gwon Lee, Eun Young Choi, Sung Soo Yoon, Hyung Ju Ryu
  • Patent number: 10287370
    Abstract: The invention is related to a class of hydrophilic polymers each comprising one sole thiol-containing terminal group. The hydrophilic polymers are highly reactive towards azetidinium groups of an azetidinium-containing polymer upon heating and can find particular use in for producing water-soluble highly-branched hydrophilic polymeric material useful for producing water gradient contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Frank Chang, Troy Vernon Holland, Thomas M. Moy
  • Patent number: 10268053
    Abstract: Described herein are UV-absorbing vinylic monomers and their uses in preparing UV-absorbing contact lenses capable of blocking ultra-violet (“UV”) radiation and violet radiation with wavelengths from 380 nm to 440 nm, thereby protecting eyes to some extent from damages caused by UV radiation and potentially from violet radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Troy Vernon Holland, Frank Chang, Walter R. Laredo, Xuwei Jiang, Ryan DeSousa
  • Patent number: 10269670
    Abstract: A curable silicone resin composition is provided, including (A) a curable silicone resin-forming component of which a viscosity is 0.02 Pa·s or greater and 100 Pa·s or less, (B) surface-modified metal oxide particles which are surface-modified by a surface-modifying material having a reactive functional group and have an average primary particle diameter of 3 nm or more and 10 nm or less, and (C) a silicone compound having a reactive functional group of which a viscosity is less than the viscosity of the (A) component and is 0.01 Pa·s or greater and 1.0 Pa·s or less and having a content of 0.1% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less based on a total amount of the composition, in which a viscosity is 1.0 Pa·s or greater and 100 Pa·s or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeru Yamaguchi, Yasuyuki Kurino, Takeshi Otsuka, Yoichi Sato, Kenji Harada
  • Patent number: 10222509
    Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves autoclaving, in a sealed lens package, a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a base coating of polyacrylic acid thereon in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having epoxide groups, for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one epoxide group and one of the carboxyl groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Chandana Kolluru, Bradley Quinter