Abstract: Efficient and consistent processes for manufacturing moldings, especially ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses. The processes comprises a series of improvements, including improvements in the areas of conditions for dispensing liquid prepolymer into lens molds, male and female mold mating, reusable molds, mold cleaning, lens separation from molds (demolding), lens handling, and in-line inspection. Cyclic series of processing steps are also disclosed. Additionally, an improved molding tool is disclosed, with the molding tool including a male mold housing and a female mold housing, each of which have disposed therein a plurality of mold halves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for producing mouldings, especially contact lenses, which comprises the following steps: a) preparing a substantially aqueous solution of a water-soluble prepolymer that contains crosslinkable groups; b) converting the resulting solution into the solid state; c) introducing the resulting solid-state solution into a mould; d) converting the solid-state solution into the liquid state in the mould; e) where applicable closing the mould; f) initiating the crosslinking; g) where applicable opening the mould, so that the moulding can be removed from the mould.

Abstract: The present invention describes an ophthalmic composition comprising diclofenac potassium, the use of said composition as a medicament for treating inflammatory conditions of the eye, for treating glaucoma or for treating ear inflammatory and/or painful conditions (otitis); as well as the use of diclofenac potassium in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for treating any inflammatory condition of the eye, for treating glaucoma or for treating ear inflammatory and/or painful conditions (otitis).

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel coating process that comprises the use of a functional photoinitiator, or a macroinitiator derived therefrom, in a cascade of process steps, wherein, on the one hand, a functional photoinitiator or a macroinitiator derived therefrom is covalently bonded to a carrier and, on the other hand, an oligomer or polymer forming a new surface layer is covalently bonded to the functional photoinitiator, or to the carrier modified by a functional photoinitiator, via functional groups that are co-reactive with isocyanate groups. The invention relates also to novel intermediates that are carriers to which functional photoinitiators that contain free isocyanate groups are bonded.

Abstract: A pH controlled protein removal system and method in the substantial absence of (a) enzyme and (b) a surfactantly effective amount of a surfactant is disclosed. The method comprises contacting a [polymeric] substrate with a cleaning composition therefor, which compostion is substantially free of (a) enzyme and (b) surfactantly effective amount of a surfactant, for a period of time at an alkaline pH and removing said substrate from said composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to crosslinked polymers, which are polymerisation products of a polymerisable mixture that comprises the following components:a) a macromer of formula C ##STR1## wherein Macro is an m-valent radical of a macromer from which the number m of groups Rx.sub.x --H has been removed,each R.sub.x, independently of the others, is a bond, --O--, --NR.sub.N -- or --S-- wherein R.sub.N is hydrogen or lower alkyl,PI* is a bivalent radical of a photoinitiator,R.sub.aa is the moiety of a photoinitiator that forms the less reactive free radical on cleavage of the photoinitiator, andm is an integer from 1 to 100,b) a copolymerisable vinyl monomer andc) a copolymerisable crosslinker.The polymers are suitable especially for the production of mouldings, such as for contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing a porous polymer comprising the steps of: (1) dispersing a porogen in a continuous monomer component phase wherein said continuous monomer component phase comprises at least one monomer having at least one perfluoropolyether unit and wherein said porogen is an optionally substituted poly(alkylene)glycol; (2) thereafter polymerising the continuous monomer phase; and (3) removing the porogen from the porous polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein A, B, X, Y and R are as defined in the description, and a process for preparing them. The compounds of formula (I) arc useful as pharmaceuticals for the treatment of glaucoma and myopia.

Abstract: A container is provided for storing a contact lens in a liquid, the contact lens having a base surface defining a base curve equivalent radius and a front surface. The container includes a base portion and a bowl portion formed integral with the base portion for containing the liquid and the contact lens. The bowl portion includes a lens seating section having an inner surface defined by a radius sized from slightly larger than to equal to the base curve equivalent radius so that the front surface of the contact lens removably adheres to the inner surface. The base curve equivalent radius may be from about 85% to about 100% of the inner surface radius, and the inner surface radius may be about 9.0 mm.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polysiloxane-polyol macromer which is uninterrupted or interrupted by a bivalent structural element and furthermore carries at least one polymerizable segment on a polyol segment; a polymer comprising a polymerization product of at least one macromer according to the invention and, if appropriate, of at least one vinylic comonomer; intermediates; processes for the preparation of a macromer and a polymerization product; moldings, contact lenses, corneal implants or biomedical articles of a polymerization product; and furthermore the use of a macromer according to the invention or of a polymer prepared therefrom for coating a substrate.

Abstract: For the fast and rational manufacture of moulded articles, specifically contact lenses, that are partly colored or have regions of different colors, by the casting process, measured amounts of two or more crosslinkable materials of different colors are introduced into the casting mould in the uncrosslinked stated unmixed and, after closing the casting mould, are crosslinked together. By suitably controlling the introduction of the different crosslinkable materials with regard to location and/or time the merging of the colors and the transitions between the colors in the contact lens are influenced in a controlled manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a molding, which comprises the following steps:a) providing at least one prepolymer comprising one or more crosslinkable groups, wherein the prepolymer is an amphiphilic segmented copolymer comprising at least one hydrophobic segment A and one hydrophilic segment B;b) preparing a mesophase of the prepolymer which is at least partly bicontinuous;c) introducing the mesophase obtained into an ophthalmic mold;d) triggering of the crosslinking; ande) opening the mold such that the molding can be removed. The process of the invention is particularly suited for the manufacture of membranes and ophthalmic moldings such as contact lenses.