Abstract: The invention relates to novel composite materials comprising (a) an inorganic or organic bulk material having covalently bound to its surface initiator moieties for radical polymerization; and (b) a hydrophilic surface coating obtainable by applying one or more different ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic macromonomers of formula (1) as outlined in the claims to the bulk material surface provided with the initiator radicals and polymerizing said macromonomers. The composite materials of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus useful for the manufacture of biomedical articles such as ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface comprising the steps of: (a) applying to the material surface one or more different comb-type polymers comprising a polymer backbone and side chains pendently attached thereto, wherein at least a part of the side chains carry a triggerable precursor for carbene or nitrene formation; and (b) fixing the polymer(s) onto the material surface using heat or radiation, in particular radiation such as UV or visible light. The polymers of the invention are useful for the modification of material surfaces and are particularly suitable for providing biomedical articles such as contact lenses with a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A fenestrated contact lens having increased tear flow is provided. The fenestrated contact lens includes a lens body adapted for placement adjacent a surface of an eye which has an inner surface and an outer surface. The lens body has a first plurality of fenestrations extending therethrough which are biased to direct a flow of lachrymal fluid from a first location between the surface of the wearer's eye and the inner surface of said contact lens to a second location adjacent the outer surface of the contact lens. The lens body also includes a second plurality of fenestrations extending therethrough, which are biased to direct a flow of lachrymal fluid from a third location adjacent the outer surface of the contact lens to a fourth location between the surface of the eye and the inner surface of said contact lens.

Abstract: A method of forming a contact lens within a mold is provided. A coating of a polyionic material(s) is applied to the mold before forming a lens therein. The coating can be applied by spraying or dipping the mold within a solution(s) of polyionic materials. Various other additives can also be applied to the mold. The coating can then be transferred to a contact lens formed within the mold such that the resulting lens has altered surface properties.

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 relates to novel reactive polymers of formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims. The polymers of the invention are useful for the modification of material surfaces and are particularly suitable for providing biomedical articles such as contact lenses with a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A contact lens includes a central zone and a peripheral zone. The central zone extends radially from a center to a central intermediate edge and has a radius corresponding to a radius of a contracted pupil of a user when subjected to a high ambient light condition. The central zone also has a constant first refractive power across the central zone. The peripheral zone extends radially from the central intermediate edge to an outer edge and has a radius corresponding to a dilated pupil of the user. The peripheral zone has a refractive power that is equal to the first refractive power at the intermediate edge and that increases radially to a second refractive power, different from the first refractive power, at the outer edge. The contact lens also includes a non-optical zone that extends radially from the outer edge to an outermost radius corresponding to a radius of a user's cornea.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the problem of ensuring optimum drying of contact lenses on a gripper, while at the same time minimizing interruptions in operations. This is achieved by a convex shape of the end face of the blast nozzle.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens comprising a receptor moiety can be used to determine the amount of an analyte in an ocular fluid. The receptor moiety can bind either a specific analyte or a detectably labeled competitor moiety. The amount of detectably labeled competitor moiety which is displaced from the receptor moiety by the analyte is measured and provides a means of determining analyte concentration in an ocular fluid, such as tears, aqueous humor, or interstitial fluid. The concentration of the analyte in the ocular fluid, in turn, indicates the concentration of the analyte in a fluid or tissue sample of the body, such as blood or intracellular fluid.

Abstract: A carrier is provided for holding a lens mold that includes a first mold half defining a first optical surface and a second mold half defining a second optical surface. A first frame defines a front surface. A holder assembly is in operative communication with the first frame and is configured to receive the first mold half. The holder assembly is adjustable to rotationally secure the first mold half so that the first optical surface faces outward from the first frame front surface and in any of a plurality of rotational positions with respect to an axis normal to the first frame front surface. A second frame is configured to receive the second mold half so that the second optical surface faces outward from a front surface of the second frame. The second frame front surface opposes the first frame front surface upon alignment of the first frame and the second frame in an operative position.

Abstract: This invention is directed to ophthalmic materials and ophthalmic lenses that are a co-polymerization product of a (a) hydrophilic monomer with (b) a tris(siloxy)silyl group-containing monomer, (c) a wide variety of hydrophobic monomers (both aliphatic and aromatic) and usually a (d) polyfluorinated monomer, as well as optional monomers or monomer mixtures that can include a cationic monomer, a non-aromatic hydrophobic monomer and a poly(dimethylsiloxy)silyl group-containing monomer. A contact lens prepared from such a co-polymer exhibits enhanced water content, while maintaining exceptional oxygen permeability, thereby providing a lens that can be worn comfortably for prolonged periods of time. A process for the preparation of such lenses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A contact lens dispensing unit includes a left upright member and a right upright member. Each upright member has a top end and an opposite bottom end and defines a channel therein that is capable of receiving therein a stacked plurality of prepackaged contact lenses. Each upright member also defines an opening through which a prepackaged contact lens may pass. An attachment device that facilitates securing the dispensing unit to a wall is coupled to the back. In a packaging system for contact lenses, a plurality of sterile sealed contact lens packets, each holding a contact lens, is disposed in a row. Each packet in the row is joined to at least one adjacent packet and is separated by a serration.

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

Abstract: Contact lenses with sample indicator marks are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of marking and use of contact lenses with indicator marks.

Abstract: The invention tackles the problem of improving the production process for contact lenses further, so that the production costs for contact lenses can be reduced further and the production capacities can be increased. To this end, provision is made for the two mould halves, which together form the mould for producing a contact lens, to be fixed to each other and/or detachably connected to each other by means of individual half-mould guide. In conjunction with a cyclic production process, a high degree of automation can be achieved in this way.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface characteristics of a polymeric hydrogel, and a polymer article formed therefrom, without causing substantial swelling or distortion or the hydrogel. A preferred method includes photoinitating of the surface of the article with a benzophenone and grafting a macromer having a number-average molecular weight greater than 1000 in the presence of UV irradiation. The preferred article is a siloxane-containing hydrogel, especially a soft contact lens.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composite material, especially a biomedical device, e.g. an ophthalmic device, preferably a contact lens, with one or more wettable surfaces capable of holding a continous layer of aqueous fluid thereon which composite material comprises a bulk material and a hydrophilic coating characterized in that the hydrophilic coating consists of a carbohydrate attached covalently to reactive groups at the surface of the bulk material, either directly or via functional groups of an oligofunctional compound, said oligofunctional compound in turn having functional groups being capable of reacting with said reactive groups at the surface of the bulk material and with the carbohydrate, wherein said reactive groups are either inherently (a priori) present in the bulk material or wherein said reactive groups have been attached to the surface of the bulk material by a plasma surface preparation, as well as to a process of manufacture of such a composite material.

Abstract: A system is provided for producing a high contrast image of features of an optical component. In the system of the present invention, light is focused through the optical component prior to reaching the detector of an image sensing means. In addition, a novel cuvette is provided for holding and locating an optical component in position during inspection. The cuvette comprises a bottom portion having a concave curved inner surface for utilizing the force of gravity to hold an optical component in place.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel composite materials comprising (a) an inorganic or organic bulk material having attached to its surface at least one polyionic material that comprises covalently bound initiator moieties for radical polymerization; and (b) a hydrophilic surface coating obtainable by applying one or more different ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomers or macromonomers to the bulk material surface provided with the initiator radicals and polymerizing said monomers or macromonomers. The composite materials of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus useful for the manufacture of biomedical articles such as ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface. The process comprises the steps of: (a) covalently binding polymerization initiator radicals to the surface; (b) graft polymerizing a vinyl monomer carrying a reactive group onto the initiator-modified material surface and thereby providing a primary polymer coating comprising reactive groups; and (c) reacting the reactive groups of the primary polymer coating with a hydrophilic telomer having a functional group that is coreactive with the reactive groups of the primary polymer coating. The coated articles that are obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus useful for the manufacture of biomedical articles such as ophthalmic devices.