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: 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: 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: 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 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: In an inspection module for inspecting optical parts (12) for defects, especially contact lenses manufactured as injection-moulded parts, the optical parts (12) are illuminated from one side and are observed from the opposite side by means of an image-resolving sensor (34). The image data of the sensor (34) are forwarded to image-processing means for identification of defects. To obtain a high throughput with a simple construction, a chain (52) of liquid-filled vessels (10) circulating in an endless line is provided. The endless line is passed in an inspection station (72) between an illumination device (32) and the image-resolving sensor (34). Handling means in the form of grippers (56, 58) revolve with the vessels (10), by means of which optical parts (12) to be inspected can be introduced into the vessels (10) at a position of the line upstream of the inspection station (72) and the inspected parts can be taken out of the vessels (10) at another position of the line.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface, comprising the steps of: (a) covalently binding a compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double bond to the material surface; (b) polymerizing a monomer comprising a reactive or crosslinkable group on the surface and thereby providing a primary polymer coating comprising reactive or crosslinkable groups, (c) in case of a monomer comprising a reactive group in step (b) reacting the reactive groups of the primary coating with a further compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated double bond and graft-polymerizing a hydrophilic monomer and optionally a co-monomer having a crosslinkable group onto the primary coating obtained according to step (b) and (d) in case of crosslinkable groups being present in step (b) or (c) initiating crosslinking of said groups.

Abstract: A method and composition for disinfecting a contact lens is disclosed. The method includes treating a lens with an aqueous solution having reduced toxicity to the eye which contains an effective amount of a monoperphthalic acid compound in a concentration of less than about 0.5% by weight of the solution. The lens disinfecting solution is capable of disinfecting contact lenses without irritating the eye due to reduced toxicity of the composition.

Abstract: A contact lens is provided that has visible inversion marks on the lens. The marks include a plurality of recessed spots having side walls, a substantially convex bottom surface, and a relatively shallow maximum depth of between about 7.5 microns and 12 microns. The recessed spots provide a highly visible marking indicia on a contact lens with maximum comfort to wear. A method is also provided to make the inversion marks. The method includes projecting one or more laser beam pulses through a laser beam mask to etch an array of recessed spots in a surface of a contact lens mold insert and then scanning the insert and mask synchronously with respect to the laser beam pulses thereby forming the inversion mark on the mold insert. The mold insert is used to make casting cups for cast-molding contact lenses, through which the inversion marks are reproduced on the contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a biomedical molding comprising a non-biodegradable biocompatible organic polymer comprising attached to its surface radicals of formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims. The biomedical moldings of the invention are radiation sensitive and may be used, for example, as intraocular lens in ophthalmic surgery.

Abstract: A colored contact lens having a very natural appearance is disclosed. The inventive lens has a non-opaque pupil section and iris section that is at least partially opaque and comprised of two portions. A first portion, generally located on the outside of the iris section, has a first shade. A second portion, generally located on the inside of the iris section has a second shade. A jagged border separates the two portions. A third iris section and second jagged border are also disclosed. In some embodiments portions of the iris section may be non-opaque.

Abstract: The invention is a laminate structure made by coating at least one side of a substrate with a laminating adhesive, bringing a coated side of said substrate into contact with a second substrate to form a multi-layer film, and treating said multi-layer film with a free radical initiator, wherein said laminating adhesive is the reaction product of a multifunctional acrylate, an aminofunctional silane, and an ethylenically unsaturated acid, optionally dissolved in a solvent, wherein the multifunctional acrylate has a molecular weight of from 100 to 3000.

Abstract: The present invention describes a carrier set for carrying ophthalmic lens molds. The carrier set has a front curve carrier, a back curve carrier, at least one spring in the front curve carrier or the back curve carrier, at least one stabilizing hole formed in one of the front curve and back curve carriers, at least one elongated stabilizing member attached to the carrier that does not have the stabilizing hole, and at least one locking bar in the carrier that has the stabilizing hole.

Abstract: The invention is based on the problem of increasing the distance between the gripper and the mould half whilst maintaining the gripping power, so as to avoid damage to the contact lenses and the mould half, and of enabling the gripper to be simply aligned in relation to the mould half. This is solved by the usage of a spacer which is placed between the mould half and-the gripper. The distance between the mould half and the gripper is thereby increased without reducing the gripping, strength. In this way, damage to the mould half or the contact lens is avoided, and alignment of the gripper to the mould half is simplified. Moreover, the invention enables flaws in the periphery of the contact lens to be noticed more easily, since owing to the greater flux acting on the contact lens, the latter undergoes greater expansion in the end region of the gripper, thereby enabling possible flaws to be discerned more easily.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers incorporating dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the like and their production. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and like compounds, in both porous and non-porous forms, as substrates for the attachment and growth of mammalian cells and tissue. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as components of medical devices and prostheses, including implanted devices.