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 high refractive index, curable, synthetic resin composition comprising a core resin composition composed of a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated compounds, and an initiation system containing both photo and thermal initiators, particularly a photochromic resin composition which further includes at least one photochromic dye. Also a curing process, which includes a combination of multi-step radiation curing and thermal annealing. Articles produced of cured composition exhibit superior physical and, in appropriate cases, photochromic properties and can be easily mass produced on a commercial scale due to short processing time and use of readily available chemicals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens, which comprises a core material and a biocompatible LbL coating non-covalently attached to said core material. The biocompatible LbL coating comprises at least one charge/non-charge bilayer, wherein said charge/non-charge bilayer is composed of, in no particular order, one layer of a charged polymeric material and one layer of a non-charged polymeric material which is capable of being non-covalently bond to the charged polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface-treated plastic article including a thin layer composed of a polymer complex on the surface. The surface-treated plastic article can be produced by a treatment with at least one kind of aqueous solutions of polymers having a weight average molecular weight of 200 or more. According to the present invention, the plastic articles, such as contact lenses, having superior transparency, wettability, oxygen permeability, and mechanical properties can be provided.

Abstract: Ophthalmic lenses, such as corneal contact lenses, include a lens body made of a composition including a lens body made of a composition including a first crosslinked polymer material which is water swellable, and a second polymeric material, other than the first material, selected from water soluble polymeric materials, water swellable polymeric materials and mixtures thereof. The second material is physically immobilized by the first material. Such lenses provide increased water retention and/or increased water content and/or increased modulus and/or reduced friction which increases lens wearer comfort. Compositions and methods for providing such lenses and compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A material for contact lenses having excellent flexibility and oxygen permeability are disclosed. The material comprises a copolymer essentially comprising a siloxane macromer of component (A) which has the number-average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to 10,000 and is represented by the general formula (I), a water-insoluble monoolefin monomer of component (B), and a water-soluble monoolefin monomer of component (C).

Abstract: A contact lens of high water content and extremely high water balance made of a homopolymer or copolymer of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate and methods of making such contact lenses, and polymers and hydrogels useful in such contact lenses.

Abstract: Highly comfortable hydrophilic contact lenses are made from a coploymer of an ethylenically unsaturated fluoro-sulfone ester, ethylenically unsaturated fluorosulfone ester monomer of acrylic or methacrylic acid having alkyl hydroxy group and N-Vinyl 2-pyrrolidinone and methods for the manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: Novel biomimetic hydrogel materials and methods for their preparation. Hydrogels containing acrylamide-functionalized carbohydrate, sulfoxide, sulfide or sulfone copolymerized with a hydrophilic or hydrophobic copolymerizing material selected from the group consisting of an acrylamide, methacrylamide, acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl and a derivative thereof present in concentration from about 1 to about 99 wt %. and methods for their preparation. The method of use of the new hydrogels for fabrication of soft contact lenses and biomedical implants.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece intraocular lens formed from a copolymer of a hydrophilic monomer and an alkoxy-alkylmethacrylate. The intraocular lens is foldable so as to be insertable through a small incision in the eye. Copolymers of the lens have an equilibrium water content of from about 10 to about 38 percent by weight based on the total weight of the hydrated copolymer.

Abstract: The invention provides biomedical devices. In particular, the invention provides biomedical devices on the surfaces of which stable, hydrophilic, amide-containing coatings are formed.

Abstract: Biomedical devices, such as ophthalmic lenses, and methods of making such devices having a surface coating including at least one polyionic layer. A preferred method involves spray coating a polycationic material onto a core lens, rinsing and drying the lens, followed by spray coating a polyanionic material, rinsing and drying. The coating process may be applied a plurality of times to achieve a multi-layer coating on the lens surface. A particularly preferred embodiment is a contact lens comprising a highly oxygen permeable hydrophobic core coated with a 5 to 20 bilayers of hydrophilic polyionic materials.

Abstract: The present invention describes coated articles and methods for preparing such articles, wherein the primary coating comprises a plasma-induced polymer carrying reactive groups. The invention further relates to the reaction of said primary coatings carrying reactive groups with monomeric, oligomeric or macromolecular compounds of synthetic, semisynthetic or biological origin to provide hybrid-type coated articles (secondary coatings).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A denture adhesive base composition consisting essentially of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and ethylene oxide polymer. A denture adhesive composition including this base composition is also provided with other optional adhesive components. Also is provided a method for formulating a novel denture adhesive base composition consisting essentially of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and ethylene oxide polymer.

Abstract: An itaconic acid derivative having the following formulas (1) or (2): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a phenyl lower alkyl group, wherein the phenyl ring of the phenyl lower alkyl group is unsubstituted or substituted by at least one lower alkyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group and A represents a lower alkylene group, or salts thereof. Copolymers can be made from the itaconic acid derivatives.

Abstract: A one piece intraocular lens and an intraocular lens include an optic portion and a haptic portion formed from a copolymer that includes an incorporated hydrophilic monomer and an incorporated alkoxyalkyl methacrylate monomer. The optic and haptic portions of the one-piece intraocular lens and intraocular lens are formed from the same copolymer. The copolymer of intraocular lenses and preferred one-piece intraocular lenses includes about 40 to about 95 percent by weight of the hydrophilic monomer based on the total weight of the dry copolymer and about 5 to about 60 percent by weight of the alkoxyalkyl methacrylate based on the total weight of the dry copolymer. A blank for use in constructing an intraocular lens includes a hydrogel in a shape suitable for finishing into an intraocular lens. The hydrogel of the blank comprises a first portion suitable for finishing into a haptic portion and a second portion suitable for finishing into an optic portion.

Abstract: The main aim of the present invention is a method of preparing photochromic or non-photochromic organic pieces of optical quality and especially organic lenses, by radical polymerisation of a mixture of radically polymerisable monomers, characterised in that it comprises: a) adjusting, by pre-polymerisation, the viscosity of said mixture, to a value between 0.4 and 2 Pa.s; b) pouring said pre-polymerised mixture into a mould; c) photogelifying, in said mould, said pre-polymerised mixture until its gel point; d) completing the polymerisation of said pre-polymerised and gelified mixture in said mould, by heat treatment; adding effective amounts of at least one thermal catalyst and of at least one photoinitiator intervening in said mixture of monomers for the implementation of said pre-polymerisation, photogelification and polymerisation; said photoinitiator(s) intervening in an amount less than or equal to 0.009 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said mixture of monomers.

Abstract: A contact lens of high water content and extremely high water balance made of a homopolymer or copolymer of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate and methods of making such contact lenses, and polymers and hydrogels useful in such contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for forming ocular devices which compositions contain latent UV absorbers. The compositions of the invention may be used to conveniently and efficiently produce ocular devices through UV initiated, free radical polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to &agr;-aminoacetophenones functionalized with organic diisocyanates, which can be used as reactive photoinitiators; to oligomers and polymers to which such functionalized &agr;-aminoacetophenones are bonded; to &agr;-aminoacetophenones having unsaturated polymerizable side-chain; to dimeric and trimeric photoinitiators; to the use of such photoinitiators; to materials coated with such photoinitiators; and to the use of the functionalized &agr;-aminoacetophenones for modifying surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated particles wherein the polymer chains of the coating are obtainable by after-glow plasma induced polymerization of a monomer under special plasma conditions. The invention further relates to a method for the production of articles coated with a polymer having these features.

Abstract: A contact lens of high water content and extremely high water balance made of a homopolymer or copolymer of 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate and methods of making such contact lenses, and polymers and hydrogels useful in such contact lenses.

Abstract: An ultraviolet absorbing base material is disclosed in which a vinyl copolymerizable monomer and a benzotriazole ultraviolet absorbing monomer represented by formula (I) or (II) are copolymerized: ##STR1## wherein X represents H or a halogen, R.sub.1 is H or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each represents a linear or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylene group and R.sub.4 represents H or CH.sub.3.

Abstract: A collagen containing substrate comprising cattle basal membrane is conditioned by incubating the membranes in a mixture of pepsin, hyaluronidase and acetic acid and separating the collagen from the mixture. The mixture can include pepsin, hyaluronidase and a 0.5M solution of acetic acid in 1:1:10 proportions. The incubation is conducted for about 10 hours at about 45.degree. C. After incubation, collagen is separated from the mixture by centrifuging at a speed of 5000 to 30000 rpms for about 30 minutes. The collagen is mixed with polymerizable monomer and polymerized to form a gel that can be ground to form an intraocular or contact lens.

Abstract: Foldable, hydrophilic, ophthalmic device materials are cured by exposure to blue light using a benzoylphosphine oxide photoinitiator.

Abstract: A multi-step process that yields a gas permeable contact lens that is more comfortable to wear due to an increased amount of moisture retention between the cornea and the lens and that also provides an increased amount of oxygen to the cornea to prevent the many potential problems occurring due to insufficient oxygen in the cornea area. The process entails exposure of the concave side of a gas permeable contact lens to far infrared light, thereby creating an electron deficiency on the concave side of the lens (the side which contacts the cornea). This electron deficiency drives a surface reaction upon the lens that produces water and oxygen as products, thereby providing the oxygen and moisture. Subsequent steps in the process are similar, although each subsequent exposure results in greater electron depletion of the concave side of the contact lens, thereby causing the contact lens to be increasingly effective in retaining moisture and oxygen with each additional exposure.

Abstract: A method for producing moisture-containing soft contact lenses by polymerizing monomers for contact lenses in the presence of a diluent for monomers and substituting the diluent contained in the resulting polymer with an aqueous solution, wherein the diluent is composed of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of triethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether and triethylene glycol monomethyl ether and a moisture-containing contact lens composed of a copolymer of the following main components, (1) two or more kinds of hydrophilic monomers selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and N,N-dimethylacrylamide, (2) an alkyl methacrylate and (3) a crosslinkable monomer, and an aqueous solution, which has a moisture content of 50-70% and exhibits a penetration strength of 1100 gf/mm or more. The contact lens of the present invention is optically transparent and exhibit excellent mechanical strength.

Abstract: In the present invention method, the surface of articles made of acrylic polymers and methacrylic polymers are converted into thin biomimetic layers by using the process involving at least the following two steps:(a) The polymer surface is contacted, in the presence of water and for a predetermined reaction time necessary to form a continuous surface layer thinner than about 500 microns, with a solution containing one or more tetraalkylammonium hydroxides of the general formula:R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 R.sub.4 N.sup.+ OH.sup.-where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 are the alkyl substituents, in which the sum of the number of carbon atoms is equal to or larger than 8 but smaller than 45; and,(b) The article is removed from the aqueous reaction solution and excess of tetraalkylammonium hydroxide is removed from the polymer surface by washing the polymer with a liquid miscible with the tetraalkylammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A collagen containing substrate comprising cattle basal membrane is conditioned by incubating the membranes in a mixture of pepsin, hyaluronidase and acetic acid and separating the collagen from the mixture. The mixture can include pepsin, hyaluronidase and a 0.5 M solution of acetic acid in 1:1:10 proportions. The incubation is conducted for about 10 hours at about 45.degree. C. After incubation, collagen is separated from the mixture by centrifuging at a speed of 5000 to 30000 rpms for about 30 minutes. The collagen is mixed with polymerizable monomer and polymerized to form a gel that can be ground to form an intraocular or contact lens.

Abstract: The present invention is ultraviolet light absorbing biocompatible polymer containing the copolymerization product of a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic and/or allelic monomers, graft-polymerized with telo-collagen, where the hydrophobic monomers includes at least one ultraviolet light absorbing hydrophobic acrylic or allelic monomer. The present material is useful in the production of deformable lenses, for example, intraocular lenses, refractive intraocular contact lenses, and standard contact lenses useful, for example, for correcting aphekia, myopia and hypermetropia.

Abstract: A contact lens contains a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing, as an indispensable feed monomer, 2 to 95 wt. % of a carboxylic acid ester monomer and 98 to 5 wt. % of a copolymerizable monomer. The carboxylic acid ester monomer is represented by the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 stands for a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms or an aryl group, and X stands for ##STR2## in which R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each stand for a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a cyclic alkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms or an aryl group, m and 1 being integers of from 0 to 4, at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 being a group containing a fluorine atom and n being an integer of from 0 to 4.

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 reactive monomer for preparing ultraviolet absorbing polymers has formula (I) wherein R.sup.1 is a halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 straight or branched chain alkoxy group; and R is a --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 O--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--, --CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O--, --CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O(--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 OCH.sub.2 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 OCH.sub.2 --, --CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 --, or --CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)OCH.sub.2 --group. The compound can be used to produce ultraviolet absorbing polymers, such as those used for ocular devices including contact and intraocular lenses.

Abstract: A collagen containing substrate comprising cattle basal membrane is conditioned by incubating the membranes in a mixture of pepsin, hyaluronidase and acetic acid and separating the collagen from the mixture. The mixture can include pepsin, hyaluronidase and a 0.5M solution of acetic acid in 1:1:10 proportions. The incubation is conducted for about 10 hours at about 45.degree. C. After incubation, collagen is separated from the mixture by centrifuging at a speed of 5000 to 30000 rpms for about 30 minutes. The collagen is mixed with polymerizable monomer and polymerized to form a gel that can be ground to form an intraocular or contact lens.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A water-absorptive soft contact lens comprising a polymer prepared by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising (A) a fluorine-containing styrene derivative represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom or methyl group, m is an integer of 1 to 3 and n is 0 or an integer of 1 to 7, and (B) N, N-dimethyl(meth)acrylamide. The water-absorptive soft contact lens has excellent oxygen permeability, high mechanical strength and excellent flexibility independent of water content.

Abstract: A reactive monomer for preparing ultraviolet absorbing polymers has formula (I) wherein R.sup.1 is a halogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 straight or branched chain alkoxy group; and R.sup.2 is a --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 O--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--, --CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 O--, --CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)O--, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 OCH.sub.2 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 OCH.sub.2 --, --CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2 --, or --CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3)OCH.sub.2 -- group. The compound can be used to produce ultraviolet absorbing polymers, such as those used for ocular devices including contact and intraocular lenses.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens, particularly a soft hydrogel contact lens, is disclosed. The lens can be derived from a crosslinked polymer made by reacting a hydrophilic monomer with a crosslinking amount of a polyfunctional compound containing a saccharide residue. The preferred hydrophilic monomer is actually a mixture of the following individual hydrophilic monomers: a) the reaction product of a free radical reactive monoisocyanate and a monoalkoxy polyalkylether, b) N,N-dimethylacrylamide, and optionally c)hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The preferred polyfunctional compound is a prepolymer derived from an alkoxylated glucose or sucrose. This prepolymer can be made by reacting glucose or sucrose, which has been ethoxylated or propoxylated, with a free radical reactive isocyanate which has been capped. The free radical reactive isocyanate can be capped by reacting it with a polyalkylether, such as polyethylene glycol, and then reacting this intermediate with a diisocyanate.

Abstract: The present invention describes a water-soluble crosslinkable prepolymer that comprises, in the copolymer chain, units derived from the following monomeric structural units: a vinyl lactam (a), vinyl alcohol (b), optionally a lower alkanecarboxylic acid vinyl ester (c), a vinylic crosslinking agent (d) and optionally a vinylic photoinitiator (e); a process for the preparation of the novel prepolymers; crosslinked water-insoluble polymeric networks therefrom; hydrogels and moulded articles made from the crosslinked water-insoluble polymeric networks, especially contact lenses; and a process for the manufacture of hydrogels and finished contact lenses using the mentioned crosslinkable water-soluble prepolymers.

Abstract: The present invention is biocompatible polymer containing the copolymerization product of a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic and/or allelic monomers, graft-polymerized with telo-collagen. The present material is useful in the production of deformable lenses, for example, intraocular lenses, refractive intraocular contact lenses, and standard contact lenses useful, for example, for correcting aphekia, myopia and hypermetropia.

Abstract: The present invention is biocompatible polymer containing the copolymerization product of a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic and/or allelic monomers, graft-polymerized with telo-collagen. The present material is useful in the production of deformable lenses, for example, intraocular lenses, refractive intraocular contact lenses, and standard contact lenses useful, for example, for correcting aphekia, myopia and hypermetropia.

Abstract: The present invention is biocompatible polymer containing the copolymerization product of a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic and/or allelic monomers, graft-polymerized with telo-collagen. The present material is useful in the production of deformable lenses, for example, intraocular lenses, refractive intraocular contact lenses, and standard contact lenses useful, for example, for correcting aphekia, myopia and hypermetropia.

Abstract: Corneal implants and methods for producing such implants are disclosed. The present corneal implants comprise a lens body which is optically clear and is structured to be surgically attached in or on the cornea of a mammalian eye, the lens body including a hydrogel composition containing water, a collagen component and a polymeric material covalently bonded to the collagen component. The hydrogel composition has enhanced biostability relative to an identical hydrogel composition without the polymeric material.

Abstract: Disclosed are optically clear xerogel polymer compositions containing an interpenetrant.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I: ##STR1## are disclosed. The compounds are photoinitiators which can be functionalized by means of ethylenic groups or can be bonded to H-active substances, in order, for example, to modify surfaces by means of photopolymerizable substances. The compounds are especially useful in the manufacture of contact lenses.

Abstract: Contact lenses formed from compounds of formula I: ##STR1## are disclosed. The compounds are photoinitiators which can be functionalized by means of ethylenic groups or can be bonded to H-active substances, in order, for example, to modify surfaces by means of photopolymerizable substances. The compounds are especially useful in the manufacture of contact lenses.

Abstract: A contact lens material comprising a condensation polymer having a recurring unit represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is --C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 -- or ##STR2## R.sup.2 is a group represented by the formula: ##STR3## in which l is an integer of 1 to 3, m is an integer of 1 to 15 and n is an integer of 1 to 3, ##STR4## in which u is an integer of 1 to 3 and v is an integer of 1 to 3, a group represented by the formula (II): ##STR5## wherein R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are the same or different and each is hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a group represented by the formula (III): ##STR6## wherein R.sup.7 is --C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 --, ##STR7## or a direct bond, and R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 are the same or different and each is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group or carboxyl group.