Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric substrate comprising at least one volume excluding polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymeric articles that are capable of acting as osmotic drivers. The articles are capable of maintaining a desired water balance by moving water in or out of a substrate to maintain cation concentration equilibrium between the substrate and its environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric substrate comprising at least one volume excluding polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymeric articles that are capable of acting as osmotic drivers. The articles are capable of maintaining a desired water balance by moving water in or out of a substrate to maintain cation concentration equilibrium between the substrate and its environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric substrate comprising at least one volume excluding polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymeric articles that are capable of acting as osmotic drivers. The articles are capable of maintaining a desired water balance by moving water in or out of a substrate to maintain cation concentration equilibrium between the substrate and its environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric substrate comprising at least one volume excluding polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymeric articles that are capable of acting as osmotic drivers. The articles are capable of maintaining a desired water balance by moving water in or out of a substrate to maintain cation concentration equilibrium between the substrate and its environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric substrate comprising at least one volume excluding polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymeric articles that are capable of acting as osmotic drivers. The articles are capable of maintaining a desired water balance by moving water in or out of a substrate to maintain cation concentration equilibrium between the substrate and its environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of an aqueous gel in the repair of or prevention of damage to soft tissue, the gel comprising an aqueous gel obtainable by polymerizing one or more olefinically unsaturated monomers comprising one or more phosphate, phosphonate, borate, sulphate and/or sulphonate groups. This is preferably used for intervertebral discs or a lens of an eye. Kits and syringes containing the components are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a polymeric substrate comprising at least one volume excluding polymer. In one embodiment, the present invention provides polymeric articles that are capable of acting as osmotic drivers. The articles are capable of maintaining a desired water balance by moving water in or out of a substrate to maintain cation concentration equilibrium between the substrate and its environment.

Abstract: Lipid-containing compositions are disclosed which provide surfactants and solubilizing agents useful in medicine, biochemistry and other industries.

Abstract: Polymeric materials suitable for bio-medical applications, particularly in making contact lenses, are derived by reaction of the following:(1) 20 to 40 mole % of a polymerizable amide which is an unsubstituted or substituted amide of a carboxylic acid containing olefinic unsaturation,(2) 25 to 55 mole % of an N-vinyl lactam,(3) 5 to 20 mole % of a polymerizable ester which is an ester of a carboxylic acid containing olefinic unsaturation,(4) 1 to 10 mole % of a polymerizable carboxylic acid containing olefinic unsaturation, and(5) 3 to 10 mole % of a hydrophobic monomer component comprising:(a) a fluorine-containing polymerizable monomer having a fluoroaliphatic side chain, or a polymerizable monomer having an esterifiable group, and(b) a non-fluorine-containing polymerizable hydrophobic vinyl monomer;and subsequently esterifying any esterifiable groups provided by monomer (5a) using a fluorine-containing aliphatic acid or derivative thereof, the amounts of the monomers (1) to (5) totalling 100 mole %, and ei

Abstract: Polymeric materials suitable for biomedical applications, particularly in making contact lenses, are formed by copolymerization and crosslinking of: (1) an amide of an unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylamide or methacrylamide; (2) an N-vinyl lactam such as N-vinyl pyrrolidone; (3) an ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid such as a hydroxy-substituted ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid; (4) an unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylic or methacrylic acid; and (5) a hydrophobic monomer component comprising: (a) a fluorine-containing polymerizable monomer having a fluoroaliphatic side chain, such as fluoroalkyl acrylate or methacrylate, and (b) a non-fluorine-containing polymerizable hydrophobic vinyl monomer such as styrene; crosslinking with a crosslinking agent either being carried out during copolymerization or subsequently.

Abstract: Polymeric materials suitable for bio-medical applications, particularly in making contact lenses, are formed by copolymerization and crosslinking of: (1) an amide of an unsaturated carboxylic acid such as acrylamide or methacrylamide; (2) an N-vinyl lactam, such as N-vinyl pyrrolidone; (3) an ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as a hydroxy-substituted ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid; (4) an unsaturated carboxylic acid, such as acrylic or methacrylic acid; and (5) a polymerizable hydrophobic vinyl monomer, such as styrene; crosslinking with a crosslinking agent either being carried out during copolymerization or subsequently. The resulting polymeric materials may be machined to produce a contact lens form and then hydrated to form a hydrogel which is suitable for use as an extended wear contact lens.