Abstract: An acrylate based bone cement with well balanced low exotherm, low residual monomer, and high strength properties formulated from (1) a liquid component containing at least three different monomeric (meth)acrylates, e.g. a C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 alkyl methacrylate, a straight or branched long chain (meth)acrylate having a molecular weight of at least 168, and a cyclic (meth)acrylate having a molecular weight of at least 168, and (2) a polymer powder component containing (meth)acrylate polymers or copolymers. The final bone cement may also contain conventional additives such as polymerization inhibitors, activators, crosslinkers, X-ray contrast material, polymerization initiators, antibiotics, antiseptics, and the like.

Abstract: A method for preparing a soft ocular lens, which comprises machining a machinably hard polymer blend body composed essentially of a soft lens material and a hard polymer into an ocular lens shape, and removing the hard polymer from the shaped product.

Abstract: Disclosed is new type of implantable material for replacement of cartilaginous or fibrous tissue. The material has controlled porosity and is biocompatible. A method for making this material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An article, suitable for use as a body implant, is made from a novel composition comprising a multiple phase polymer composition comprising:(a) a first phase which comprises a substantially non-hydrophilic polymeric component; and(b) a second phase which comprises a hydrophilic polymeric component;said composition (i) being capable of absorbing water to an extent that it softens with a softening ratio of at least about 2:1 and/or swells with a swelling ratio of at least about 1.3:1; and (ii) when substantially completely hydrated has an energy to break of at least about 700 N-cm/cm.sup.3 and a 2.5% Secant modulus of less than about 7,000 N/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: The sutural material consists of a base from a bio-resolvable polymer and a layer of a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone with an alkylacrylate and/or an alkylmethacrylate deposited onto the base and containing an antimicrobal preparation or a mixture of preparations and having the period of its biodestruction shorter than that of the base, the thickness of this layer being equal to 0.1 to 1.0 of the base thickness.

Abstract: Block copolymers of glycolide and p-dioxanone are produced by reacting poly(p-dioxanone) that is substantially free of p-dioxanone monomer with glycolide.

Abstract: Biocompatible particles and an article incorporating a plurality of such particles is disclosed. The particles can have means for interconnecting such as an aperture for stringing the particles on a filament or interlocking external shape. A plurality of particles, with or without means for interconnecting, can be fashioned into an article by interconnecting the particles with a flexible material. When the particles have a means for interconnecting, the plurality of particles can also be interconnected by a rigid material. The particles or plurality of interconnected particles are useful for medical, dental or veterinary or biotechnical applications, such as bone, tooth or skin implants, including alveolar ridge augmentation, or as a growth substrate material. Any biocompatible material can be used, including ceramics such a hydroxylapatite.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bone cement composition comprising (a) a liquid component comprising a monomer of an acrylic ester and (b) a powdered component comprising, based on the weight of the powdered component,(i) from 0 to about 20 percent of a methyl methacrylate homopolymer,(ii) from about 30 to about 60 percent of a methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer, and(iii) from about 30 to about 60 percent of a methyl methacrylate-butyl methacrylate copolymer.

Abstract: Ophthalmic devices, such as contact lenses, of polymers of telechelic perfluorinated polyether monomers, and compositions for making such devices are disclosed. The devices possess improved oxygen permeability.

Abstract: Described herein is a shaped article formed from a blend of a poly(aryl ether) resin and an aromatic polycarbonate resin and/or a polyacrylate resin. An article molded from such a blend has improved hydrolytic stability as compared with an article molded from the constituent components of the blend.

Abstract: A highly water-absorptive optical material obtained by saponification for hydrophilic treatment of a copolymer composed essentially of:(A) from 2 to 30 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylate polymer having at least one polymerizable group per molecule on an average obtained by copolmerizing (a) at alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer and (b) a monomer having at least two polymerizable groups per molecule, as the main components, and(B) from 70 to 98% by weight of a fatty acid vinyl ester.

Abstract: A repair material enabling regrowth of damaged bones is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the repair material is polydivinylbenzene in particulate form. The particles are typically random sizes in a specified range, relatively porous, having a relatively high surface area per unit weight, thereby enabling bone growth supported by such particles.

Abstract: A process of making soft lenses from an esterifiable, partially cross-linked carboxyl-containing polymer, and a method of attaching a haptic to a swellable intraocular lens. The soft contact lenses are made by first forming a lens button from a hard polymer containing .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylic or methacrylic acid and 0.1-10 mols per 100 mols of monomer of a divinyl cross-linking agent such as 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate. The hard lens button is then esterified by contact with an alcohol having up to 15 carbon atoms such as n-butanol under esterifying conditions in the substantial absence of water while simultaneously removing water of reaction. Unreacted alcohol may be removed by solvent exchange with a lower molecular weight alcohol and/or drying.

Abstract: Copolymers are made by reacting glycolide with a mixture of p-dioxanone monomer and homopolymer. The copolymers are useful in making surgical devices such as surgical sutures.

Abstract: A repair material enabling regrowth of damaged bones is set forth. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the repair material is polydivinyl benzene in particulate form. The particles are typically random sizes in a specified range, relatively porous, having a relatively high surface area per unit weight, thereby enabling bone growth supported by such particles.

Abstract: The hydrogels consist essentially of the polyurethane of polyoxyethylene. The crosslinking is carried out by a reaction of a polyfunctional isocyanate with the polyoxyethylene in solution in a non-aqueous solvent. Transparent hydrogels are obtained, having a high swelling ratio in the presence of water and good mechanical properties.

Abstract: Polymer compositions and methods of making them are provided. Selected surface layers of the polymers, integral with the polymer body, possess pressure sensitive adhesive properties. The polymers are cured with the selected surfaces in contact with a cross-linking inhibition agent which controls the amount of cross-linking of the polymer taking place at the surface. The polymers are useful as, or in conjunction with, prosthetic appliances which are adhered to skin or other substrates.

Abstract: Optically clear soft contact lenses of aqueous swollen solid polyvinyl alcohol having a weight average molecular weight of at least 6,000, having been annealed under crystallinity promoting conditions to effectively increase the elastic modulus of the swollen lenses, and optionally subsequently crosslinked, and methods of preparation and the use thereof are disclosed. The lenses are characterized by their relatively high oxygen transmissibility, sufficient to meet the needs of the human cornea, high optical clarity, improved hot water resistance and superior mechanical properties.

Abstract: Acrylic films having superior properties are produced by casting a solution comprising an organic solvent and a polymer system of one or more completely polymerized acrylic polymers onto a carrier, removing the solvent thereby forming the film on the carrier, and stripping the film from the carrier.The polymer system comprises at least one polymer prepared by polymerizing monomers of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 is hydrogen or methyl; and R.sub.2 is straight branched alkyl of about 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably about 1-8 carbon atoms, more preferably 1-4 carbon atoms, and most preferably 1-2 carbon atoms.The polymers are homopolymers, mixed copolymers, and graft copolymers. They may be cross-linked.

Abstract: A fibrous article is formed of a polymer composition which incorporates povidone-iodine and provides for its sustained release.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite polymeric material suitable for biological and medical applications and to the method for preparation thereof. The composite material consists of 1-99 wt. % of hydrophilic polymer or copolymer based on methacrylic or acrylic esters, 1-99 wt. % of fibrillar collagen, and up to 2.5 wt. % of a crosslinking agent, based on both polymeric components. The composite material may further comprise biologically active compounds and other auxiliary materials, as fillers and/or plasticizers. The composite material is prepared by dispersing the fibrillar collagen in a solution or a highly swollen dispersion of the synthetic hydrophilic polymer or copolymer in a lytropic agent and the subsequent removal of the lyotropic agent, thus forming a matrix of the synthetic polymer or copolymer penetrated by fibrillar collagen or vice versa. The composite material may be applied on a solid support or reinforced with glass, plastics, cellulose, or metallic materials.

Abstract: Hydrogels, e.g. hydrogel contact lens are prepared by casting, preferably spin casting, hydrophilic gels in a plastic mold, preferably polypropylene in the presence of a surface active agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adhesive coating material for a hard tissue, which comprises (1) a polymer having an acid value of 30 to 700 and including in recurring units a hydrophobic group and two carboxyl (--COOH) groups or one carboxylic anhydride ##STR1## group bonded to the polymer, said carboxyl groups or carboxylic anhydride group being bonded to adjacent carbon atoms, and (2) a polymerizable vinyl compound or a mixture of said polymerizable vinyl compound and an organic titanate compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a resin for high-refractivity lenses, formed by copolymerizing at least one nucleus-halogenated benzene dicarboxylate represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X means a chlorine or bromine atom, n is 2 or 4, m stands for 0 or 1 and R denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl group with at least one unifunctional monomer having a refractive index of at least 1.55 as a homopolymer, capable of undergoing a radical polymerization and containing an aromatic ring as well as high-refractivity lenses made of such a resin. The lens-making resin according to this invention features a high refractive index, excellent processability such as superb grinding processability and high impact resistance, outstanding miscibility between the unifunctional monomer and bifunctional monomer upon copolymerization thereof, and minimized polymerization strain.

Abstract: Optical contact lenses and silicone hydride polymers therefor are disclosed.

Abstract: Polyurethane polyene compositions are obtained by reacting from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyene in the presence of about 100 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will swell and increase in weight upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, moisture vapor ions, and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Cellulose esters are cured by exposure to radiation preferably followed by exposure to elevated temperatures of at least about 100.degree. C. In addition, polymers obtained from reacting certain cellulose esters with certain polymerizable silicon esters are provided. The cured cellulose esters are suitable for producing transparent parts such as contact lenses.

Abstract: A liquefiable peroxide reactive molding composition comprising a reaction product of a polyol, an organic polyisocyanate and a hydroxyl ethylenic containing compound, said liquifiable composition having a free NCO content of less than about 0.3% by weight and an organic peroxide and being useful as an injection molding composition and as an adhesive that is essentially insensitive to atmospheric moisture.

Abstract: Aminopolysaccharides and copolymers thereof, primarily those of N-acetyl-D-glucosamines and derivatives and various monomers, is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite polymeric material suitable for biological and medical applications and to the method for preparation thereof. The composite material consists of 1-99 wt. % of hydrophilic polymer or copolymer based on methacrylic or acrylic esters, 1-99 wt. % of fibrillar collagen, and up to 2.5 wt. % of a crosslinking agent, based on both polymeric components. The composite material may further comprise biologically active compounds and other auxiliary materials, as fillers and/or plasticizers. The composite material is prepared by dispersing the fibrillar collagen in a solution or a highly swollen dispersion of the synthetic hydrophilic polymer or copolymer in a lyotropic agent and the subsequent removal of the lyotropic agent, thus forming a matrix of the synthetic polymer or copolymer penetrated by fibrillar collagen or vice versa. The composite material may be applied on a solid support or reinforced with glass, plastics, cellulose, or metallic materials.

Abstract: Stable three dimensional hydrogels which absorb water, but are insoluble in water, and are particularly useful for the making of soft contact lenses, are prepared by reacting a water insoluble polyvinyl resin which contains reactive hydroxyl groups in its polymer chain, with a di- or poly-basic acid anhydride, to thereby introduce pendant carboxyl groups into the polymer chain, followed by treatment of the thus obtained carboxylated polymer to effect a limited amount of crosslinking thereof whereby a sparingly crosslinked hydrophilic polymer is obtained which when immersed in water absorbs water and swells to form a hydrogel, which does not dissolve in water.

Abstract: An impermeable laminated membrane, constructed by the superposition of a silicone rubber membrane on a fluoro-rubber membrane, is disclosed.This laminated membrane has an extremely low permeability so that its is effective for implantation into living organisms.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 30 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The compositions are useful for making contact lenses and numerous forms of surgical devices, among other things.

Abstract: Cellulose esters are cured by exposure to radiation preferably followed by exposure to elevated temperatures of at least about 100.degree. C. In addition, polymers obtained from reacting certain cellulose esters with certain polymerizable silicon esters are provided. The cured cellulose esters are suitable for producing transparent parts such as contact lenses.

Abstract: Biologically stabilized compositions are prepared by subjecting to polymerization conditions an aqueous admixture comprising from 50 to about 70 weight percent solubilized collagen and from about 30 to less than 50 weight percent of an organic compound which is characterized by a polymerizable ethylenic group (>C.dbd.C<) as illustrated by N,N-dimethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or methoxytriethylene glycol methacrylate. The reactants employed are at least partially soluble in the aqueous reaction medium. The hydrogels thus prepared can be in the form of novel shaped articles having utility in the medical and cosmetic fields. Such hydrogels exhibit good biological stability, high water content, high oxygen permeability and sufficient mechanical strength characteristics to be useful as contact lenses.

Abstract: Aminopolysaccharides and copolymers thereof, primarily those of N-acetyl-D-glucosamines and derivatives and various monomers, is described.