Abstract: The invention provides proteins from Staphylococcus aureus, including amino acid sequences and corresponding nucleotide sequences. The proteins are useful for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, diagnostics, enzymatic studies, and as targets for antibiotics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various genes that can be included in immunogenic compositions specific for pathogenic E. coli strains. The genes are from uropathogenic strains but are absent from non-pathogenic strains, and their encoded proteins have cellular locations which render them accessible to the immune system.

Abstract: Antigen and adjuvant components of an adjuvanted influenza vaccine are not mixed during manufacture, but are provided as separate components for extemporaneous mixing at the time of use, for example as a kit comprising (i) an antigen component, comprising an influenza virus antigen; and (ii) an adjuvant component, comprising an aluminium salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for coating a material surface comprising the steps of: (a) providing an inorganic or organic bulk material having covalently bound to its surface initiator moieties for radical polymerization; (b) graft polymerizing a hydrophilic ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer from the bulk material surface in the presence of a biocompatible hydrophilic polymer being devoid of polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups and thereby entrapping said hydrophilic polymer within the polymer matrix formed by the polymerization of the macromonomer. Composite materials obtainable according to 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: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: A contact lens is disclosed having a front surface and a back surface. The lens contains a continuously varying aspheric surface on one or more of these surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is based on the problem of providing an inspection device and an inspection method, which recognise the defective lenses, which are difficult to detect with conventional optical methods, with a high degree of reliability. According to the invention, the contact lenses are exposed to an ultrasonic field, which leads to destruction of defective lenses, while perfect lenses are as a rule not destroyed. In particular, the method is capable of detecting cracks which are often overlooked by optical methods, since this type of defect reacts especially sensitively to the soundwaves being received.

Abstract: The invention relates to ophthalmic molding formulations and to tinted, high Dk ophthalmic moldings. This invention also relates to a method for making a tinted ophthalmic molding. The method comprises: (a) providing a polymer precursor having cross-linkable or polymerizable groups; (b) providing a pigment dispersion comprising an inorganic or organic pigment and a dispersing agent; (c) mixing the pigment dispersion with the polymer precursor to form a tinted prepolymer mixture; (d) dispensing the tinted prepolymer mixture into a mold; and (e) forming a tinted ophthalmic molding from the tinted prepolymer mixture, the molding comprising a polymer matrix having the pigment entrapped therein. With this method, tinted ophthalmic moldings, particularly edge-to-edge soft, tinted contact lenses having improved properties, are prepared with an improved efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a clamping means for clamping a component (20) in a holder (16), especially for the production of moulding tools for the manufacture of precision articles. Spring-action clamping elements (72), for example tightening discs or clamping sleeves (72), are inserted into a recess of the holder (16) and final working thereof takes place in a position that corresponds to the subsequent position when the component (20) to be clamped is clamped. With this process, very good centricity and coaxiality of the clamped components (20) is achieved, whereby the manufacturing tolerances to be maintained for the individual components are not critical.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an automated system for transporting and deoxygenating a solution. The system is designed to: 1) transport a solution through a deoxygenating device 2) continuously monitor the oxygen content of the deoxygenated solution 3) collect the solution in a reservoir and automatically maintain solution level 4) automatically dispense the solution as requested and 5) perform automated solution prepare, startup, and shutdown operations.

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

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: 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 provides a molded ophthalmic lens having at least first and second optical components, wherein the first optical component is cast molded to encapsulate the second optical component such that the first optical component provides an optical function and the second optical component provides an additional optical function. The invention additionally provides a process for producing a molded composite ophthalmic lens.

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: 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.