Abstract: The biodegradable composition comprises at least poly(beta-hydroxybutyric acid) or a biodegradable copolymer thereof and a stereospecifically regular block copolymer having the structure units of formula (I): ##STR1## where R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 14 carbon atoms, optionally including double bonds, oxygen atoms or both of them; and m and n are respectively an integer ranging from 300 to 5,000, or having the structure units of formula (II): ##STR2## where R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are either a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and m and n are respectively an integer ranging from 300 to 5,000.

Abstract: The invention relates to fluoride-releasing, polymerizable dental composite aterials having good mechanical stability, containing:(a) one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers based on di- or multi-functional (meth)acrylates;(b) initiators and optionally activators; and(c) usual fillers, and optionally pigments, thixotropic agents, plasticizers and other auxiliaries; and(d) one or more sufficiently water-soluble inorganic complex fluorides of the general formulaA.sub.n MF.sub.mwherein,A is a monovalent cation, M is a metal of the III-V main group or II-V sub-group, n is a whole number from 1 to 3 and m is whole number from 3 to 6.

Abstract: A color masterbach resin composition for a packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material which does not adversely affect photographic properties of the photographic photosensitive material, comprising a light-shielding material in a concentration thrice as much as or more that of the packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material, and a thermoplastic resin of which 50 wt. % or more is the same type as a thermoplastic resin occupying 50 wt. % or more of the total thermoplastic resin composing the packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material, production thereof, a packaging material for a photographic photosensitive material formed of a color masterbatch resin composition, and production thereof.

Abstract: A soft intraocular lens consisting of a copolymer formed from a perfluorooctylethyloxypropylene (meth)acrylate monomer, a 2-phenylethyl (meth)acrylate monomer, an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer and a crosslinking monomer as essential components restores its original shape to stabilize itself in a proper period of time, e.g., approximately 20.about.60 seconds, without remaining folded or self-adhering in its optical portion when folded to a small size, inserted into the eye while being held in a folded state and then released from a folding force.

Abstract: A restorative composition for hard tissue, comprising a paste (A) containing an inorganic calcium phosphate powder, a polymerizable monomer mixture and a polymerization initiator, and a paste (B) containing an inorganic calcium phosphate powder, a polymerizable monomer mixture and a polymerization accelerator, wherein the content of the inorganic calcium phosphate powder in each paste is 75-85% by weight, and each monomer mixture contains a monomer of the formula (1): ##STR1## and a monomer of the formula (2): ##STR2## the content of the monomer (1) accounting for 40-65% by weight of the monomer mixture as a whole. The composition can well adhere to the bone and has a sufficient water resistance. As it generates little heat upon hardening, it is less detrimental to the patient's tissues. Furthermore, the paste has an appropriate consistency, which facilitates homogeneous mixing of the paste and application of the resultant mixture to the affected part by the use of a dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of luting a provisional prosthetic device to tooth structure using glass ionomer cement systems having reduced bulk shear adhesion. The invention also provides a kit for luting a prosthetic device to tooth structure. The kit contains at least three containers of glass ionomer luting cement compositions. The kit advantageously can be utilized for providing both a provisional and a permanent luting cement depending upon which components are admixed.

Abstract: A radiopaque bone cement used to repair bone or other hard tissues is provided. The bone cement is made from combining a composition containing an acrylic powder and a radiopacifier with a corresponding liquid monomer. Prior to being added to the composition, the radiopacifier is microencapsulated with a bone cement compatible material. When combined with the liquid monomer, the bone cement compatible material dissolves releasing the radiopacifier particles into a bone cement matrix. By being microencapsulated, the radiopacifier is prevented from agglomerating in the cement. Instead, the radiopacifier particles become dispersed throughout the bone cement matrix which not only creates a radiopaque cement but also increases the fatigue life of the cement.

Abstract: A photocured crosslinked-hyaluronic acid contact lens which comprises a photocured crosslinked-hyaluronic acid derivative produced by the formation of a crosslinked cyclobutane ring by light irradiation from mutual photoreactive crosslinking groups of a photoreactive hyaluronic acid derivative in which the photoreactive crosslinking groups are linked to hyaluronic acid, wherein the photoreactive crosslinking groups are introduced into functional groups of hyaluronic acid via a spacer group, and the contact lens has a water content of 80 to 99% and shape compatibility and tissue affinity for the eyeball. A process for preparing a photocured crosslinked-hyaluronic acid contact lens which comprises molding the photoreactive hyaluronic acid derivative into a shape that fits to the eyeball, and subsequently irradiating the shaped product with light to effect crosslinking between the mutual photoreactive crosslinking groups.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear for 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: An ocular lens material comprising a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing a copolymerizable composition of which the main components are a diene polymer and a monomer capable of copolymerizing with the diene polymer, having high oxygen permeability, high refractive index and high mechanical strength, and being excellent in flexibility and shape recoverability, and its production process are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a melt extrudable, moisture curable thermoplastic polymer which is produced from a silane modified elastomeric polymer and which has improved hysteresis, reduced stress decay and improved creep properties. The polymer may be processed into a nonwoven web, film or foam which may be laminated to other materials such as spunbond polyolefin layers and may be used in medical, personal care, feminine hygiene and other applications.

Abstract: Provided are allyl-functional polymers having pendant enamine moieties and preferably also possessing pendant methacrylate groups. The presence of such groups in the polymer allows for a free-radical crosslinking reaction to take place during film formation and provides coatings having superior solvent resistance. Amino-containing waterborne particles can be prepared by reacting propylene imine with carboxylic acid-containing latexes. The amino-functionalized latexes are subsequently reacted at room temperature with for example acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. During ambient and thermal cure studies, clear films exhibited significant increases in solvent resistance, gel fraction, and crosslink density.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified particulate metal oxides having desired properties and methods of producing the metal oxides. The methods basically comprise the steps of reacting a particulate metal oxide in an aqueous solution or emulsion containing ceric ion to produce hydroxyl free radicals on the surfaces of the metal oxide and then reacting the metal oxide with a polymerizable vinyl monomer to graft the monomer to the metal oxide and polymerize the monomer. The graft polymerized metal oxide compositions produced have improved properties such as compatibility and ease of mixing with water based, oil based and plastics formulations.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens screening method suited for extended-wear for 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 method for dispersing solid forms of additives in polymers involves adding dispersions or solutions of additive(s) to a solution of polymer in a tubular mixer (preferably in the presence of a stationary mixer). The mixer leads to a steam precipitation step wherein all fluid ingredients in the mixture are volatilized leaving the solid additive and resin in the desired ratio. This results in a uniform dispersion of the additives in the polymer matrix. As a result of the high dispersion, physical properties of a thermoplastic resin, to which the polymer matrix has been added are preserved. In one illustration, PTFE as a drip inhibitor additive, is added to polycarbonate to obtain a highly dispersed PTFE concentrate of improved drip-inhibition without loss of mechanical properties when added to a thermoplastic molding resin.

Abstract: A flame-retardant styrene resin composition comprises a styrene resin, a halogen-containing flame retardant and a flame retarding assistant comprising antimony trioxide having an average size of 5.2 microns or larger and is improved in view of weatherability.

Abstract: Dental inorganic-organic composite fillers are disclosed, which do not scatter a visible light of from 360 to 830 nm in the particles thereof, has a refractive index nD by the D-line of sodium in the range of 1.460.ltoreq.nD.ltoreq.1.600, and which is represented by the following mean empirical formula:aM.sup.1 O.sub.x/2 .multidot.bSiO.sub.2 .multidot.cM.sup.2 O.sub.(4-i-j)/2 R.sup.1.sub.i R.sup.2.sub.jwhereinM.sup.1 is one or more members selected from Ti, Zr, Y, La, Ta, and Al, which is bonded to Si or M2 via the crosslinked oxygen; and x is a valence of M.sup.1 ;M.sup.2 is Si and/or Ti;R.sup.1 is a non-functional group; and R.sup.2 is an organic compound reacted with an organic functional group;i is 0, 1, or 2; and j is 1, 2, or 3, provided that i and j are satisfied with 1.ltoreq.(i+j).ltoreq.3; anda, b, and c are each a molar ratio, provided that a, b, and c are satisfied with 0.ltoreq.a/(a+b).ltoreq.0.65 and 0.02.ltoreq.c/(a+b).ltoreq.3.0.

Abstract: An adhesive for dental resin composite materials is disclosed, which comprises (a) from 10 to 40 parts by weight of tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate; (b) from 90 to 60 parts by weight of one or more methacrylates having at least one unsaturated double bond in one molecule thereof; and (c) from 0.04 to 0.12 part by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the monomer mixture consisting of (a) and (b), of a photopolymerization initiator, the adhesive for dental resin composite materials of the present invention having a proper viscosity, not causing the color remaining, is superior in the operability and esthetics, having further a satisfactory adhesive strength, and is of safe even when used in the mouth.

Abstract: A soft contact lens which comprises a water-swollen gel of a polymer prepared by polymerizing one or more hydrophilic monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, one or more cross-linking monomers, a monomer that contains metal-chelating functionality such as an aminopolycarboxylic acid that contains a polymerizable olefinic group, and an effective amount of iron to absorb UV light and/or an effective amount of copper to cause the lens to be tinted.

Abstract: A polyacetal resin is blended with a copolymer of styrene with 1-(1-isocyanato-1-methylethyl)-3-(1-methylethenyl)benzene to prepare a resin composition which does not cause phase separation, has an excellent extrusion stability, and provides excellent surface appearance and physical properties for a molding thereof.