Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements, such as ophthalmic elements, including a substrate, a compatiblizing coating that optionally includes a dendritic polymer on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate and a functional organic coating, such as, but not limited to, an alignment coating, a photochromic coating, or an aligned liquid crystal coating, in contact with at least a portion of the compatiblizing coating opposite the substrate. The present invention also relates to compatiblizing coating compositions of dendritic polymers that may be used to form compatiblizing coatings on the surface of an optical element, and methods of making optical elements using the compatiblizing coatings.

Abstract: Describes a photochromic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic plastic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a rigid substrate, e.g., a transparent substrate such as a glass or organic polymeric substrate, as for example, a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one organic photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran, diarylethene and/or fulgide, and (3) a thermally cured transparent thermoset polymeric coating superposed on, e.g., coherently appended to, the photochromic coating, the thermally cured polymeric coating being harder than the photochromic polymeric coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the thermally cured polymer coating, e.g.

Abstract: Describes a multifocal optical article, e.g., an ophthalmic article such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a rigid optical substrate, e.g., a transparent polymeric substrate, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, adapted to possess at least one light influencing property on at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate, e.g., a photochromic and/or polarizing layer, and (2) a multifocal layer of an optical quality material on said substrate having the light influencing property. Describes also the aforedescribed optical article having an abrasion-resistant coating on the multifocal layer, e.g., an abrasion-resistant coating comprising an organo silane. A method for preparing the multifocal optical article comprising curing optical quality material between a multifocal mold and a preform comprising an optical substrate possessing the light influencing property is also described.

Abstract: Describes a photochromic plastic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a rigid substrate, e.g., polymeric substrate, such as a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran and/or fulgide, and (3) a dendritic polyester acrylate film coherently appended to the photochromic coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the dendritic polyester acrylate film, e.g., an abrasion-resistant coating comprising an organo silane; and a photochromic article having an antireflective coating affixed to the abrasion-resistant coating.

Abstract: Described is a polymerizable composition of a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic compound, at least one material having at least one carbonate group and at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one monoisocyanate containing material having at least one unsaturated group. The polymerizable composition optionally contains copolymerizable monomers. Also described are photochromic polymerizates, e.g., photochromic optical elements such as ophthalmic lenses, prepared from the polymerizable composition of the present invention.

Abstract: Described is a coating composition adapted to enhance the adhesion of a polymeric coating or film applied to a substrate. The coating composition is interposed between the substrate and the polymeric coating and comprises (a) at least one coupling agent, partial hydrolysates thereof or mixtures thereof in a concentration greater than 25 weight percent, based on the weight of the total composition, and (b) an adhesion enhancing amount of an epoxy-containing material having at least two epoxy groups. The coating composition is substantially free of photochromic materials and colloidal particles chosen from silica, alumina or mixtures thereof. Also described is a process for using the coating composition and articles coated with the composition and additional coatings and films which can be photochromic.

Abstract: Described is a photochromic article that includes a substrate and at least a partial coating of an at least partially cured polymerizable composition of a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic compound, at least one material having at least one carbonate group and at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one monoisocyanate containing material having at least one unsaturated group. Also described are photochromic optical elements such as ophthalmic lenses, prepared from an optical element substrate coated with the photochromic polymerizable composition.

Abstract: A hose clamp identification marker for selectively identifying contents of a flexible hose. The hose clamp identification marker may be implemented in connection with a hose clamp and may comprise an open channel configured to straddle a hose. In this manner, the hose clamp identification marker of the present invention may be introduced to and removed from the hose clamp without disrupting continuity of treatment or requiring disassembly of the connection between the hose and a delivery device, such as a hollow needle.

Abstract: Described are articles having a photochromic poly(meth)acrylic coating The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 50 to 150 Newtons per mm2 and improved photochromic performance properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Described is a photochromic article that includes a substrate and at least a partial coating of an at least partially cured polymerizable composition of a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic compound, at least one material having at least one carbonate group and at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one monoisocyanate containing material having at least one unsaturated group. Also described are photochromic optical elements such as ophthalmic lenses, prepared from an optical element substrate coated with the photochromic polymerizable composition.

Abstract: Described is a polymerizable composition of a photochromic amount of at least one photochromic compound, at least one material having at least one carbonate group and at least one hydroxyl group, and at least one monoisocyanate containing material having at least one unsaturated group. The polymerizable composition optionally contains copolymerizable monomers. Also described are photochromic polymerizates, e.g., photochromic optical elements such as ophthalmic lenses, prepared from the polymerizable composition of the present invention.

Abstract: Described are articles having a photochromic poly(meth)acrylic coating The coatings exhibit a Fischer microhardness of from 50 to 150 Newtons per mm2 and improved photochromic performance properties, i.e., the formation of darker activated colors and faster rates of photochromic activation and fade when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A hand-held gynecologic instrument for use in manipulating a uterus comprises an elongate body and a handle with a contour. An actuating lever used to control uterine movement is operable by the same hand that grips the handle. A uterus manipulation member pivotally connected to the elongate body comprises a tube formed with a shallow curve and fitted with an elastomeric tip and an irrigation conduit. The tube is releasably connected to a pivot block which has a tapered bore. A tapered bushing which mates with the bore is disposed about the tube. The tube and bushing are releasably secured by a nut to permit alteration of the effective length and rotational position of the tube to accommodate different uteruses. The pivot block is pivotally connected to the elongate body and to one end of a rod. The rod's other end is pivotally connected to the actuating lever to translate movement of the actuating lever into pivotal movement of the pivot block and hence into rotation of the tube about the anteverting axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping, cutting, and collecting a blood sample from an umbilical cord is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving and entrapping a section of umbilical cord. The housing is formed by a lid and a handle connected at a hinge. Upon closing the lid, the umbilical cord is clamped with a clamp removably connected to the housing. A slidable blade assembly cuts the umbilical cord using a slicing motion. A blood collection chamber located in the handle collects blood from the cut umbilical cord. A fluid passageway connects the blood collection chamber to one or more blood containers. An absorbent gasket surrounds the blood collection chamber in the handle for collecting and retaining excess blood that may exceed the capacity of the collection chamber. A placenta clamp is provided for gripping or clamping the placenta side of the umbilical cord after it has been cut.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a seat that pivots forward to assist the user in exiting and entering the chair. The seat is biased toward its forward or up-right position by mechanical springs having force adjustments for user adjustment of the seat-lift force. One embodiment includes a cam mechanism for varying this seat-lift force as the seat is being raised. A closed-loop hydraulic cylinder and piston actuator system is provided to (1) damp the spring action as the seat is raised and lowered, (2) control the rate of seat ascent and descent, and (3) permit the user to stop and lock the seat in any position between the horizontal and up-right positions. This closed-loop hydraulic system includes a manual control valve for user-control of the seat raising and lowering, and a user-adjustable flow rate control valve for limiting seat ascent and descent speeds.