Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for cleaning ophthalmic devices. The apparatus has a conveying system for transporting lens mold carriers to a cleaning station. The cleaning station has at least one movable cleaning assembly which is situated above the lens mold carrier and has a recess. When the cleaning assembly is lowered to the lens mold carrier, a substantially enclosed or enclosed cavity containing the lens mold is created by the carrier and the recess of the cleaning assembly. Compressed gas is injected into the cavity to dislodge any debris that may be present on the lens molds, and a vacuum is employed to remove gas and debris from the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel crosslinkable prepolymers comprising structural units of the formula wherein the variables are as defined in the claims, to crosslinked polymers, to either homo-polymers or copolymers prepared from those novel prepolymers, to mouldings produced from the said homo- or co-polymers, and especially to contact lenses produced from those homo- or co-polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blister package for an optical lens and is concerned with the problem of improving the blister package in such a way that the base parts can be stacked and the work involved in sorting can be substantially reduced. This is achieved by perfecting spacing elements and joining several base parts to one unit (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A method of automatic manufacture of an astigmatic contact lens having a toric portion and a ballast portion such that said ballast portion causes the toric portion of the contact lens to properly orient in the eye of the wearer. The toric lenses are manufactured by moving a pallet containing at least half of a casting cup assembly and an information tag under a filling assembly and filling half of a casting cup assembly with liquid monomer, then moving the pallet to a closing assembly and, based on information obtained from the information tag, rotating one or both halves of the casting cup assembly and closing the casting cup assembly. The liquid monomer is then cured thereby creating a toric contact lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polyallyl amine polymers having a weight average molecular weight of at least 2000 that, based on the number of amino groups of the polyallyl amine, comprises from approximately 1 to 99% of units of formula wherein R is as defined in the claims. The novel polyallyl amine polymers are useful, for example, for the surface-modification of different substrates or may be used for the manufacture of biomedical mouldings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for registering the presence of an ophthalmic moulding consisting of a biocompatible polymeric material, especially an ophthalmic lens, particularly a contact lens, in a package. The invention solves the problem through the use of an IR camera. Packages containing a moulding, especially a contact lens, have a change in their temperature distribution compared with a package without a contact lens. By evaluating the temperature difference, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a contact lens in a package. In particular, by using the detecting method according to the invention, one can determine whether there is a contact lens in the package directly after the filling procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ophthalmic molding such as a contact lens or any kind of ocular prostheses comprising an organic bulk material having covalently bonded to its surface an acceptor saccharide to which is enzymatically attached one or more further carbohydrates. The ophthalmic moldings of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding, for example, adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability or biocompatibility.

Abstract: A water repellent for application to glass, comprising disilazane with the general formula in which n and n′ are the same or different integers having values from 2 to 20, and water-repellent glass whose surface has been treated with said water repellent.

Abstract: Biomedical devices, such as ophthalmic lenses, and methods of making such devices having a surface coating including at least one polyionic layer. A preferred method involves spray coating a polycationic material onto a core lens, rinsing and drying the lens, followed by spray coating a polyanionic material, rinsing and drying. The coating process may be applied a plurality of times to achieve a multi-layer coating on the lens surface. A particularly preferred embodiment is a contact lens comprising a highly oxygen permeable hydrophobic core coated with a 5 to 20 bilayers of hydrophilic polyionic materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic product comprising, as a colouring agent, the extract of an alga. A preferred class of alga the extract of which is useful in the present invention is blue alga (Spirulina type), more preferred it is Japanese blue alga (Spirulina platensis). The ophthalmic product is preferably a contact lens care product.

Abstract: The present invention describes coated articles and methods for preparing such articles, wherein the primary coating comprises a plasma-induced polymer carrying reactive groups. The invention further relates to the reaction of said primary coatings carrying reactive groups with monomeric, oligomeric or macromolecular compounds of synthetic, semisynthetic or biological origin to provide hybrid-type coated articles (secondary coatings).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-based fiber treatment agent that has the ability to equip fibers with such properties as an excellent smoothness and lubricity, a reduced tack, and an appropriate or moderate slickness.

Abstract: A process of preparing an oxygen barrier coating using a compound of the general formula RaX3−aSi—Z—SiX3−aRa wherein Z is R′NH(R′NH)pR′, each R is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and a hydrocarbon group, each X is selected from the group consisting of an alkoxy group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, an oxime group or an acyloxy group, each R′ is a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; a is from 0 to 3 and p is 0 or 1. The invention further comprises compositions incorporating the above compound. Coatings prepared may be used in packaging applications as a top coat, or a primer for further coatings.

Abstract: In a method for the thermal bonding of a base part (3) of a packaging with a cover film (F), especially for the welding or sealing of a base part of a packaging for contact lenses with a cover film, the contact surface of the base part (3) facing the cover film (F) and the corresponding contact surface of the cover film (F) facing the base part are mechanically pressed against one another along a join. While the mechanical pressure is being generated along the join, heat is simultaneously caused to act on the join, so that the contact surfaces of base part (3) and cover film (F) are thermally bonded to one another along the join. For the purpose of generating the mechanical pressure and causing heat to act on the join there is used a contact plate (70) of low heat capacity which, during the thermal bonding, is pressed against the surface of the cover film (F) remote from the contact surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an inspection cell for inspecting an ophthalmic lens. The inspection cell is a solid block that has a bottom planar surface, a top surface, and an indentation in the top surface. The indentation is adapted to receive an ophthalmic lens, which is to be inspected. The invention additionally provides an inspection unit for an ophthalmic lens, which holds one or more of the inspection cells.

Abstract: In one form, the disclosure describes a lathe apparatus and method for manufacturing a product with a non-axisymmetric shape from a workpiece, such as a toric contact lens, comprises a spindle for rotating the workpiece about an axis of rotation, a cutting tool, a two-axis bed for supporting the cutting tool and for moving the cutting tool along a predetermined path adjacent the workpiece as the spindle rotates the workpiece, and a mechanism for oscillating the cutting tool along an oscillation axis as the two-axis bed moves the cutting tool along the predetermined path, wherein the oscillation axis is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to the axis of rotation. Preferably, the non-zero angle is about 45.degree.. In a second form, a lathe apparatus comprises a rotary bed for arcuately moving a cutting tool adjacent a workpiece and a mechanism for translationally reciprocating the cutting tool as the cutting tool is arcuately moved adjacent the workpiece.

Abstract: To provide a high-purity platinum complex catalyst composition that has an excellent storage stability, is easy to handle, and has a high catalytic activity. Also, to provide a process for the preparation of this platinum complex catalyst composition and provide a microparticulate thermoplastic resin catalyst composition.

Abstract: A coated textile fabric that has utility for fabricating automobile airbags. A surface of the textile fabric is coated with first and second layers of polyorganosiloxane-based elastomeric material, the first layer being disposed between the textile surface and the second layer. The polyorganosiloxane-based material of the first layer exhibits an elongation-at-break of at least 400%. The polyorganosiloxane-based material of the second layer exhibits a tear-strength of at least 30 kN/m.

Abstract: Polyorganosiloxane gels are prepared using compositions curable by a platinum catalyzed hydrosilation reaction that are characterized by the presence of a non-functional silicone fluid. The gel may contain additional components and may also be formulated into a multi-part system.

Abstract: Hot-melt silicone pressure sensitive adhesive compositions containing organic waxes, methods of using the compositions and devices made using the compositions are disclosed. The hot-melt silicone pressure sensitive adhesive compositions include a mixture of (i) a silicate resin, (ii) a silicone fluid, and (iii) an organic wax having a melting point of between 30.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. The organic wax decreases dynamic viscosity of the adhesive at temperatures equal to or below about 200.degree. C.