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 cross-linked 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 soft contact lens which comprises a water-swollen gel of a polymer prepared by polymerizing one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, one or more cross-linking monomers, and a monomer that contains metal-chelating functionality such as an aminopolycarboxylic acid that contains a polymerizable olefinic group.

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 contact lens obtained by saponification of a copolymer composed essentially of (A) from 1 to 30% by weight of a (meth)acrylate polymer having at least one polymerizable group per molecule on an average obtained by copolymerizing (a) an alkyl (meth)acrylate and (b) a monomer having at least two polymerizable groups per molecule, as the main components; (B) from 45 to 95% by weight of a fatty acid vinyl ester; (C) from 0.02 to 10% by weight of a crosslinking agent which is not decomposable by saponification; and (D) from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a crosslinking agent which is decomposable by saponification.

Abstract: Novel fumarate- and fumaramide-containing monomers are disclosed which are especially useful in the preparation of biocompatible devices, especially contact lenses.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by the steps of:(1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising:(a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and one or more cross-linking monomers; and(b) an inert, displaceable diluent selected from the group consisting of:(i) ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(ii) ethoxylated bisphenol A;(iii) polyethylene glycol;(iv) mixture of propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl glucoside;(v) single phase mixture of ethoxylated or propoxylated alkyl glucoside and C.sub.2-12 dihydric alcohol;(vi) adduct of .epsilon.-caprolactone and C.sub.2-6 alkanediols and triols;(vii) ethoxylated C.sub.3-6 alkanetriol; and(viii) mixtures of one or more of (i) through (vii),under conditions to polymerize said monomer mixture to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent; and(2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a biologically compatible collagenous reaction product comprising ethylenically unsaturated monomerically substituted collagen, the monomeric substituents being essentially free of nitrogen, e.g., methyacrylate, styrene, polyvinyl, ethylene. The collagenous reaction product can be polymerized, e.g., by exposure to UV irradiation, chemical agents or atmospheric oxygen, and molded to form useful medical implant articles. Methods of preparation are also provided.

Abstract: Non-hydrolyzable, hydrophilic, heterocyclic cross-linking agents for cross-linking vinyl comonomers are provided. The cross-linked copolymers form optically transparent, high water content, and high refractive index hydrogels having long term stability which are useful as intraocular lenses and superabsorbents. The crosslinkers are selected from 4,6 divinyl pyrimidine, 2,5 divinyl pyrazine, 1,4 divinyl imidazole and 1,5 divinyl imidazole.

Abstract: 1. A water-absorptive contact lens obtained by saponification of a copolymer composed essentially of:(A) from 1 to 30% by weight of a (meth)acrylate polymer having at least one polymerizable group per molecule on an average obtained by copolymerizing (a) an alkyl (meth)acrylate and (b) a monomer having at least two polymerizable groups per molecule, as the main components;(B) from 1 to 10% by weight of a vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of maleic acid esters and N-vinyl lactams;(C) from 50 to 98% by weight of a fatty acid vinyl ester; and(D) from 0.02 to 10% by weight of a cross linking monomer.

Abstract: This specification provides a polymeric material useful for manufacturing contact lenses having improved oxygen permeability. The contact lenses prepared from the polymeric material of the invention show improved hydrophilicity and enhanced oxygen permeability as compared with that made of the conventional fluoroalkyl-containing polymeric materials.

Abstract: A maleimide polymer comprises units derived from a maleimide derivative represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R.sup.2 is an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group, each of which groups is substituted by at least one organosiloxane group or fluorine atom, or comprises a copolymer of (1) a maleimide derivative represented by the formula (I) but in which R.sup.2 may be hydrogen or any optionally substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon or aryl group with (2) an alkyl or fluoroalkyl methacrylate or an organosiloxy styrene- or organosiloxy-(meth)acrylic acid derivative.The polymer material may be formulated into contact lenses high in oxygen permeability and having good mechanical properties.

Abstract: A contact lens is made by graft polymerization of a contact lens surface by introducing a peroxide on a contact lens substrate surface by a discharging treatment producing a radical and by adding an appropriate amount of a reducing agent to the polymerization system and removing dissolved oxygen in the polymerization system by applying ultrasonic waves under reduced pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to contact lenses made from a copolymer comprising units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently of the other hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, organosilylalkyl or organosilyl, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each hydrogen or, taken together, are a divalent alkylene radical containing up to 8 carbon atoms, and A is a divalent substituted 1,2-ethylene radical which is derived from a copolymerisable vinyl monomer by virtue of the vinyl double bond being replaced with a single bond. The invention further relates to the copolymers themselves, to the use thereof for making contact lenses, and to a process for making contact lenses from such copolymers.

Abstract: Copolymers useful as contact lens materials are the polymerization product of a mixture comprising:(a) an itaconate;(b) a compound represented by formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: each A is independently an activated unsaturated radical;each R is independently selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical containing ether linkages, a halogen-substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical, and a halogen-substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 monovalent hydrocarbon radical containing ether linkages;each R' is independently a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 divalent hydrocarbon radical; andn averages about 15 to about 50;(c) an ethylenically unsaturated organosiloxane monomer; and(d) a hydrophilic monomer.

Abstract: When molding shaped articles such as contact lenses from monomeric mixtures containing silicone monomers and hydrophilic monomers, the wettability of the resulting article is improved by using a mold material produced from a resin comprising a copolymer of an alpha, beta, olefinically unsaturated mononitrile and at least one comonomer to enhance melt processability.

Abstract: An ocular lens material comprising a copolymer prepared by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising, as main components, (A) 15 to 40% by mole of a fluoroalkyl (silicon-containing alkyl) fumarate, (B) 35 to 55% by mole of an N-vinyl lactam, (C) 3 to 30% by mole of at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and (D) 0.1 to 20% by mole of a crosslinkable monomer. The ocular lens material is excellent in all of transparency, oxygen permeability, mechanical strength and hardness. Further, the material is excellent in hydrophilic property in spite of its low water absorption.

Abstract: Branched alkylhydroxycycloalkyl methacrylate monomers, such as t-butylhydroxycyclohexyl methacrylate, are polymerized with hydrophilic monomers and crosslinking agents to produce compositions for shaped biomedical devices, including soft contact lenses. Such copolymers have high oxygen permeability and good mechanical properties.

Abstract: The crosslinked polymerization product of the reaction product of a polymeric backbone containing pendant hydroxyl groups with an unsaturated monoisocyanate or of said reaction product with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer gives a hydrogel material suitable for making contact lenses.

Abstract: A graft copolymer produced by polymerizing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, or monomer mixture containing the monomer, by using initiator produced by copolymerizing (A) N-vinyllactam or styrene and (B) peroxy-fumarate or combination of the peroxy-fumarate and diester of fumaric acid, the peroxy-fumarate being represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R1 is a linear alkyl, branched alkyl or cycloalkyl group containing not more than 18 carbon atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group containing 6 to carbon atoms; and R2 is a linear alkyl, branched alkyl or cycloalkyl group containing not more than 13 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group.A solution for treating a contact lens, including the above graft copolymer and a solvent dissolving the copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to contact lenses made from a polymer comprising macrocycles that are made up of units of formula I--(--CR.sup.1 .dbd.CR.sup.2 --A--)-- (I)wherein A is alkylene or alkenylene each having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms and each of which may be substituted by one or more R.sup.3 radicals, each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, independently of the other, is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and R.sup.3 is lower alkyl, fluorinated lower alkyl or a siloxane radical.They exhibit a combination of a high degree of hardness and oxygen permeability. They can be produced in an especially advantageous manner, that is to say by hot compression moulding.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light-absorbing polymer which comprises a homopolymer of a polymerizable monomer having the structure: ##STR1## wherein: Z is N or --CH--,R is H or CH.sub.3,R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be the same or different and are H, alkyl or alkyloxy having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkylcarboxy having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, arylcarboxy having from 7 to 25 carbon atoms or hydroxyl;R.sub.3 is H, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or siloxy;R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 may be the same or different and are H or halogen;x is an integer from 1 to 20; ora copolymer thereof with an ethylenically unsaturated comonomer, the copolymer comprising an ultraviolet light-absorbing effective amount of the ultraviolet light-absorbing polymerizable monomer.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light absorbing silicone composition comprising silicone base polymer and ultraviolet light absorbing component present as, or derived from, one or more ultraviolet light absorbing compounds having the following structure: ##STR1## and mixtures thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of H, alkoxy radicals and halogen; R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl radicals, provided that at least one of X and R.sup.1 is other than H; R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of divalent hydrocarbon radicals, divalent substituted hydrocarbon radicals, oxo, divalent oxyhydrocarbon radicals and divalent substituted oxyhydrocarbon radicals; each R.sup.3 is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals, substituted alkyl radicals, alkoxy radicals, substituted alkoxy radicals, aryl radicals, substituted aryl radicals and fluoro radical; R is selected from R.sup.3, H and CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, and c is an integer in the range of 1 to about 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrogel which is a copolymer of a polymerizable monomer mixture which containsa) 2-85 mol-% of a hydrophobic vinyl monomer with at least three fluorine atoms,b) 2-80 mol-% of a hydrophobic polyhydroxy vinyl monomer whose hydroxyl groups are in protected form,c) 2-70 mol-% of a hydrophilic vinyl monomer and,d) based on the total amount of monomers a)-c), 0-5 mol-% of a crosslinker, in which hydrogel the hydroxyl groups of the segments formed by the monomers b) are in protected or in free form.These hydrogels can be used, for example, as contact lenses, intraocular lenses or in other areas of application where biologically tolerated materials are required.

Abstract: Flexible, crosslinked polymeric compositions providing transparent hydrogels having a refractive index in the dehydrated (dry) state of at least about 1.53 and having equilibrium water content of at least 40% by weight of the polymeric gel for use an expansile intraocular lenses for surgical implantation. The dehydrated polymeric compositions are capable of hydration by natural fluids present in the eye to expand about 180% after implantation and in the fully swollen state have refractive indices of at least 1.40. They are prepared by polymerizing a multicomponent monomeric mixture consisting essentially of from about 50 to 75% by weight vinyl pyrrolidone, from about 3.25 to 12.5% by weight of 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, from about 3.25 to 12.5% by weight of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, from about 5 to 35% by weight of acrylamide and as a fifth component a crosslinking agent in an amount of from 1.

Abstract: Hydrogel-forming polymers for contact lenses and intraocular lenses having increased toughness despite high equilibrium water content comprise a hydrophilic monomer (e.g. an N-vinyl lactam) and a polyunsaturated polymeric cross-linking agent. UV-absorbers are also disclosed which are bound in the polymer structure so as to be inextractable, some undergoing photo-Fries re-arrangement on exposure to UV-radiation so as to become UV-absorbers in the re-arranged form.

Abstract: Two compounds, which are derivatives of 2(2-hydroxyphenyl) 2H-benzotriazole, are copolymerized with hydrogel forming monomers to form ultraviolet absorbing hydrogels. These hydrogels have many potential applications. For instance, they can be used to make contact lenses and intraocular lenses which are particularly useful for aphakics.

Abstract: Hydrophilic polymers of the type suitable for use in making contact lenses and having a wide range of controllable properties including strength and gas permeability are formed from acrylonitrile or methyl methacrylate or an analogue thereof, 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone and an appropriate amount of a cross-linking agent. Contact lenses (3) having an interferometric pattern thereon are also disclosed.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by (1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising: (a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of a hydrophilic (meth)acrylate ester such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and a cross-linking monomer; and (b) a water-displaceable diluent, wherein said diluent has a viscosity of at least 100 MPa Sec at 30.degree. C., and wherein said diluent consists essentially of a boric acid ester of certain dihydric alcohols, said dihydric alcohols having Hansen polar (.delta..sub.p) and Hansen hydrogen bonding (.delta..sub.h) cohesion parameters falling within the area of a circle defined as having a center at .delta..sub.h =20.5, .delta..sub.p =13, and a radius of 8.5, to produce a shaped gel of a coploymer of said monomers and said diluent, and (2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: Contact lens compositions containing monomers or cross-linking materials which result in satisfactory moisture content but lowered protein absorption capability are described. Lenses are comfortable for extended wear, but because of lowered protein absorption do not become opaque, and present less infection risk. Included are compositions with over 20% conventional cross-linkers, with 20-100% cross-linkers which are unsaturated diesters of the alcohol of the formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H wherein n is 5-300; or 1-69% copolymerizing monomer which is an ester of an alcohol of similar formula; or 0.1-90% cross-linkers which are diesters of the diol of the formula HOCH.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.2 OH, or which contain silyl components such as HO(SiR.sub.2 O).sub.x --; or with inclusions of 1-40% polyethylene glycol or polyethylene oxide; or copolymers containing 1-90% polyethylene oxide segments when the composition does not include carboxylic acids and is not treated with alkali.

Abstract: The invention relates to new cross-linked copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-alkyl-N-vinyl carboxylic acid amides, methacrylates and optionally further copolymerizing monomers of a specific composition. the copolymers have a water absorption capacity of up to about 80% by weight, based on the hydrated state, and are suitable for the production of shaped articles which are in contact with living tissue in use. Examples include soft contact lenses and scleral lenses of high mechanical strength, in particular thin to very thin lenses for prolonged wear.

Abstract: Miscible blends of slid, non-crosslinked polymers are disclosed. The blends comprise from 2 to 95 parts by weight of a water-insoluble, hydrophobic polymer and, correspondingly from 98 to 5 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polymer. The blends are capable of absorbing at least their own weight in water.

Abstract: A cationic dextran compound matrix-copolymer obtained by reacting with a polymerizable unsaturated acid or a polymerizable unsaturated acid and olefin compound a dextran derivative which is introduced cationic radicals thereinto. It is highly hydrophilic and a material having a high affinity for a living body and which is, therefore, useful for making contact lenses, intraocular lenses, artificial bones and blood vessels, etc.

Abstract: Miscible blends of solids, non-crosslinked polymers are disclosed. The blends comprise from 2 to 95 parts by weight of a water-insoluble, hydrophobic polymer and, correspondingly from 98 to 5 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polymer. The blends are capable of absorbing at least their own weight in water.

Abstract: Contact lens compositions containing monomers or cross-linking materials which result in satisfactory moisture content but lowered protein absorption capability are described. Lenses are comfortable for extended wear, but because of lowered protein absorption do not become opaque, and present less infection risk. Included are compositions with over 10% conventional cross-linkers, with 0.1-100% cross-linkers which are unsaturated diesters of the alcohol of the formula HO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n H wherein n is 5-300; or 10-50% copolymerizing monomer which is an ester of an alcohol of similar formula; or 0.1-90% cross-linkers which are diesters of the diol of the formula HOCH.sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.m CH.sub.2 OH, and compositions containing more than 10% cross-linker; or with inclusions of 1-40% polyethylene glycol or polyethylene oxide; or copolymers containing 1-60% polyethylene oxide segments.

Abstract: Novel ultraviolet absorbing compounds useful in contact lenses and methods for curing contact lenses containing UV absorbers are disclosed.

Abstract: A sustained-release polymeric hydrogel dosage form useful for topical, systemic or transdermal administration of a medicinal agent comprising a cross-linked, polymerized hydrophilic polymer, an amino acid polymer, a cross-linking agent, and an optional hydrophobic monomer and/or a chain regulator in conjunction with a lower alkyl (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4), polar solvent and said medicinal agent in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: A soft contact lens is provided by: pouring an excess amount of an original solution for producing a soft contact lens into a concave mold; placing a convex mold on said concave mold and overflowing the excess of said original solution to thereby uniformly fill said original solution in a space between said concave mold and said convex mold; gelling said original solution between the two molds to form therebetween a lens having a tensile strength of at least about 0.1 kgf/cm.sup.2 ; immersing said lens and said two molds in a liquid to peel said lens from said molds; and extracting the thus-peeled lens via an extraction treatment with water.

Abstract: A method of making contact lens materials which are identifiable from similar contact lens materials. This is done by selecting a fluorescent colored soluble organic fluorescent dye in solid state solution in a transparent organic resin. The fluorescent color pigment is added in small amounts ranging from 0.0003 to 0.009 parts by weight of the lens monomer mixture. The lens monomer mixture containing the fluorescent dye is polymerized to form a solid contact blank. A contact lens is made from the solid polymerized blank containing the colored fluorescent dye. The contact lens convex surface is placed on a dark flat surface. In the absence of visible light the lens is irradiated with ultraviolet light. The colored fluorescent light emanating from the dye within the lens is concentrated at the lens edge by reflecting between the lens polished optical surfaces. The colored fluorescent light exits the lens at the edge. The lens material is identified by observing the color visible at the lens edge.

Abstract: A sustained-release polymeric hydrogel dosage form useful for topical, systemic or transdermal administration of a medicinal agent comprising a cross-linked, polymerized hydrophilic polymer, an amino acid polymer, a cross-linking agent, an optional hydrophobic polymer and said medicinal agent in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment described in the specification, a contact lens hydrogel is prepared by copolymerizing 75 parts of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and 23 parts of phenyl ethyl methacrylate together with allyl methacrylate as a crosslinker, t-butyl peroctoate as a thermal initiator and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone or benzoin methyl ether as a photoinitiator. The mixture is maintained at a temperature of 5.degree. C. and protected from light prior to photopolymerization which is carried out under ultraviolet radiation. The copolymer is then post-cured thermally. Cloudy or hazy hydrogels are avoided by preventing prepolymerization of the mixture.

Abstract: A water-absorptive contact lens made of a copolymer consisting essentially of:(a) from about 50 to about 95 parts, by weight of the total monomer units, of hydrophilic monomer units consisting essentially of from about 25 to 100 parts, by weight of the total hydrophilic monomer units, of N-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone represented by the formula: ##STR1## and from 0 to about 75 parts, by weight of the total hydrophilic monomer units, of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone; and(b) from about 5 to about 50 parts, by weight of the total monomer units, of reinforcing monomer units consisting essentially of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates, styrene, alkyl styrenes, benzyl acrylate and benzyl methacrylate.

Abstract: The improved polymeric hydrogel suitable for use in forming soft contact lenses is described. The hydrogel is improved by means of its resistance to the formation of calcium, lipid and protein deposits thereon. This resistance is achieved by means of covalent modification of the hydrogel with a surfactant.

Abstract: An interpenetrating network polymer is obtained by mixing hydrophilic monomer vinyl pyrrolidone and hydrophobic monomer (5-alkylene-m-dioxanyl) acrylic ester in the presence of at least two crosslinking agents and, optionally, hydroxyalkyl acrylic ester and catalysts and causing polymerization to occur. Contact lenses made from the polymer have high tensile strength and can absorb a high degree of water.

Abstract: An oxygen permeable, wettable, optically acceptable vision correction lens can be made from homopolymers of aminoglycans, substituted aminoglycans, or crosslinked polymers thereof.

Abstract: Contact lenses and implants for human medicine can be fabricated from a polymer blend comprising 98-80% by weight of component A and 2-20% by weight of component B wherein:component A is a cellulose ester of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with up to 40% by weight of total component A of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer having 30-98% by weight, relative to ethylene/vinyl acetate, of incorporated vinyl acetate andcomponent B is a homopolymer or copolymer of water-soluble vinyl monomers and up to 10% by weight relative to the total polymer B of multifunctional crosslinker vinyl compounds.

Abstract: A soft contact lens made of a copolymer composed essentially of:(a) from about 30 to about 60 parts by weight of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of long chain alkyl acrylates and methacrylates represented by the general formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R.sub.2 is a straight chained or branched alkyl group having from 5 to 18 carbon atoms;(b) from about 40 to about 70 parts by weight of at least one hydrophilic monomer selected from the group consisting of dimethylacrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, a hydroxyalkyl acrylate and a hydroxyalkyl methacrylate; and(c) from about 0.05 to about 2.0 parts by weight of a cross-linking agent; and having a water content of from about 25 to about 50% by weight.

Abstract: Soft contact lenses are made by polymerizing a substantially anhydrous polymerization mixture containing a polymerizable acrylic or methacrylic monomer, and a water displaceable ester of boric acid and a compound containing 3 or more hydroxyl groups so as to form a hydrophilic polymer containing at least 30% of said boric acid ester. In a preferred embodiment, the polymerizable is effected in a mould cavity where the contact between a sharp circular edge in one mould part and a spherical surface in the other mould part defines the edge of the lens and the distance between the two mould surfaces outside the sharp edge increases in all radial directions away from the center.

Abstract: Polymeric materials suitable for bio-medical applications, particularly in making contact lenses, are derived by reaction of the following:(1) 20 to 40 mole % of a polymerizable amide which is an unsubstituted or substituted amide of a carboxylic acid containing olefinic unsaturation,(2) 25 to 55 mole % of an N-vinyl lactam,(3) 5 to 20 mole % of a polymerizable ester which is an ester of a carboxylic acid containing olefinic unsaturation,(4) 1 to 10 mole % of a polymerizable carboxylic acid containing olefinic unsaturation, and(5) 3 to 10 mole % of a hydrophobic monomer component comprising:(a) a fluorine-containing polymerizable monomer having a fluoroaliphatic side chain, or a polymerizable monomer having an esterifiable group, and(b) a non-fluorine-containing polymerizable hydrophobic vinyl monomer;and subsequently esterifying any esterifiable groups provided by monomer (5a) using a fluorine-containing aliphatic acid or derivative thereof, the amounts of the monomers (1) to (5) totalling 100 mole %, and ei

Abstract: Hydrogels are prepared by subjecting to poymerization conditions an aqueous admixture comprising a major amount of an organic monomer which is characterized by a polymerizable ethylenic group ##STR1## as illustrated by N,N-dimethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or methoxytriethylene glycol methacrylate, and a minor amount of solubilized collagen. The reactants employed are at least partially soluble in the aqueous reaction medium. The hydrogels thus prepared are novel shaped articles having utility in the medical and cosmetic fields. Contact lenses of such hydrogels exhibit high water content, high oxygen permeability and good mechanical strength characteristics.