Abstract: Described herein are tri-functional compounds useful in the production of ophthalmic lenses. The compounds are composed of UV absorber having a polymerization initiator directly or indirectly bonded to the ultraviolet absorber, and an olefinic group directly or indirectly bonded to the ultraviolet absorber. Also described herein are polymers and ophthalmic lenses produced from the tri-functional compounds described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens, made of a stabilized poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymeric material. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: curing, in a mold, a composition comprising (a) a prepolymer having at least one poly(oxyalkylene) unit, (b) a biocompatible organic multi-acid or biocompatible salt thereof in an amount sufficient to improve the stability of the poly(oxyalkylene)-containing polymer made from the composition, (c) optionally a photoinitiator or a thermal initiator, and (d) optionally one or more vinylic monomers, to form the medical device being less susceptible to oxidative degradation; and removing the medical device from the mold.

Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing dangling hydrophilic polymer chains. This class of silicone-containing prepolymer is capable of being actinically crosslinked to form a silicone hydrogel material with a hydrophilic surface without post curing surface treatment. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and to methods for making the silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing dangling polysiloxane-containing polymer chains. This class of silicone-containing prepolymer is capable of being actinically crosslinked to form a silicone hydrogel material with a relatively high oxygen permeability, a reduced elastic modulus, and a relatively high ion permeability. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and to methods for making the silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing poly(oxyalkylene) blocks, polysiloxane blocks, and actinically-crosslinkable groups which are acryl groups, thiol groups, ene-containing groups or combinations thereof. A preopolymer of the invention is prepared in a one-pot procedure according to the Michael addition of thiol to electron deficient alkenes, such as ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, without need for additional reaction step(s) to introduce actinically crosslinkable groups. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and to methods for making the silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provide a method for making silicone hydrogel based on the Lightstream Technology from a monomer mixture with a curing time of less than about 100 seconds. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made according to methods of the invention.

Abstract: A measured amount of a material that is crosslinkable by impingement of a suitable form of energy, especially UV light, is introduced into a two-part mould of which the cavity determines the shape of a moulding to be produced. The two mould halves are held a small distance from one another so that a thin annular gap is formed between them, which gap is in communication with the mould cavity and through which gap excess material can escape. The crosslinking is triggered by impingement of the selected form of energy, the impingement being spatially restricted to the cavity by suitable masking so that material disposed outside the mould cavity is not crosslinked. In that manner mouldings are obtained that do not require subsequent mechanical processing, and the mould is reusable. The process is especially, but not, however, exclusively, suitable for the manufacture of contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provides a silicone hydrogel contact lens including a hydrolyzable units. The hydrolyzable units can be converted by hydrolysis into a hydrophilic units which is capable of imparting the silicone hydrogel contact lens a hydrophilic surface without post-curing surface treatment. The invention also provides an actinically crosslinkable prepolymer including hydrolyzable units and use of the prepolymer of the invention. In addition, the invention provides a method for making wettable silicone hydrogel contact lens without posterior surface treatments other than hydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing dangling polysiloxane-containing polymer chains. This class of silicone-containing prepolymer is capable of being actinically crosslinked to form a silicone hydrogel material with a relatively high oxygen permeability, a reduced elastic modulus, and a relatively high ion permeability. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and to methods for making the silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable copolymers of formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims. The copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical moldings, for example ophthalmic moldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing dangling hydrophilic polymer chains. This class of silicone-containing prepolymer is capable of being actinically crosslinked to form a silicone hydrogel material with a hydrophilic surface without post curing surface treatment. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and to methods for making the silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provides an actinically-crosslinkable linear polysiloxane copolymer. The actinically-crosslinkable polysiloxane copolymer can be used to prepare a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a hydrophilic surface without post-curing surface treatment. The invention is also related to a silicone hydrogel contact lens obtained from a lens-forming material including an actinically-crosslinkable polysiloxane copolymer of the invention and to a method for making an actinically-crosslinkable polysiloxane copolymer of the invention. In addition, the invention provides a non-crosslinkable linear polysiloxane copolymer capable of being used as a internal wetting agent which can render the surface of a silicone hydrogel contact lens hydrophilic.

Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing poly(oxyalkylene) blocks, polysiloxane blocks, and actinically-crosslinkable groups which are acryl groups, thiol groups, ene-containing groups or combinations thereof. A prepolymer of the invention is prepared in a one-pot procedure according to the Michael addition of thiol to electron deficient alkenes, such as ?,?-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, without need for additional reaction step(s) to introduce actinically crosslinkable groups. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and to methods for making the silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provides a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having an LbL coating thereon that is not covalently attached to the lens and has good hydrophilicity, intactness and durability. The method comprises LbL coating at high temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biomedical molding, in particular a contact lens, which is obtainable by crosslinking, in a mold, an aqueous solution of a crosslinkable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) prepolymer comprising at least 0.5 weight-%, based on the entire formulation, of a non-reactive PVA, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the non-reactive PVA is higher than that of the crosslinkable PVA. A contact lens of the invention has an improved wearing comfort.

Abstract: The invention provide a new lens curing method for making hydrogel contact lenses. The new lens curing method is based on actinically-induced step-growth polymerization. The invention also provides hydrogel contact lenses prepared from the method of the invention and fluid compositions for making hydrogel contact lenses based on the new lens curing method. In addition, the invention provide prepolymers capable of undergoing actinically-induced step-growth polymerization to form hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable copolymers of formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims. The copolymers of the invention are especially useful for the manufacture of biomedical moldings, for example ophthalmic moldings such as in particular contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention provides a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens which has a good wettable coating with a good durability.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a composite materials comprising the steps of (a) providing a hydrophobic organic bulk material, and (b) applying a hydrophilic surface coating on the hydrophobic organic bulk material by first non-covalently attaching to the surface of the bulk material a water-soluble peptide comprising a hydrophobic moiety; and then chemically or enzymatically crosslinking the water-soluble peptide. The composite materials manufactured according to the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus particularly useful as ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the problem that with known plastic casting moulds, especially those of polypropylene, the lenses produced with these moulds have a slippery surface. The invention solves this problem through the use of polymers which are notable for their very low oxygen permeability.