Abstract: The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of reacting in the presence of an epoxide opening catalyst, a substituted epoxide, and preferably a silicone containing substituted epoxide with at least one carboxylic acid and at least one protecting agent to form a vicinal dialkyl ester or a vicinal disilyl ester.

Abstract: Methods of reducing the adherence of lenses to hydrophobic packing materials using compounds of Formula I are disclosed herein, where R1-R12, a, b, z, x, q, m, and n are defined herein.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrogels for use in the production of biomedical devices. In particular, the invention provides hydrogels formed from siloxane prepolymers and a hydrophilic monomer, which hydrogels are optically transparent.

Abstract: A low water contact lens material having high O.sub.2 permeability, a lower water content and reduced polymer matrix size provides adequate O.sub.2 to the cornea, but does not wick water away from the eye nor allow protein or other tear components to penetrate and deposit in the lens. Such a lens is made by polymerizing and crosslinking a prepolymer which contains a cyclic polyol with polyalkylether segments containing curable segments. The cyclic polyols consist of alkoxylated glucose or sucrose which are then reacted with an isocyanate to produce an ultraviolet curable prepolymer. The prepolymer is then placed in a mold and polymerized by exposure to ultraviolet light. The free hydroxyl groups of the material react with a highly hydrophilic reagent to form covalent bonds thus making the surface of the material more wettable.

Abstract: A low water contact lens material having high O.sub.2 permeability, a lower water content and reduced polymer matrix size provides adequate O.sub.2 to the cornea, but does not wick water away from the eye nor allow protein or other tear components to penetrate and deposit in the lens. Such a lens is made by polymerizing and crosslinking a prepolymer which contains a cyclic polyol with polyalkylether segments containing curable segments. The cyclic polyols consist of alkoxylated glucose or sucrose which are then reacted with an isocyanate to produce an ultraviolet curable prepolymer. The prepolymer is then placed in a mold and polymerized by exposure to ultraviolet light. The free hydroxyl groups of the material react with a highly hydrophilic reagent to form covalent bonds thus making the surface of the material more wettable.

Abstract: Hydrophilic modifier monomers of the formula [X-T].sub.z' H' are disclosed wherein X is a reactive group, H' is a hydrophilic group and T is a divalent linking group, z' being a number up to the available valence of H', excess H' valences being taken up by hydrogen. The monomers of the invention can be used to boost the hydrophilic nature of a wide variety of polymeric materials or be polymerized themselves with varying degrees of copolymerizable monomers. They are particularly suited for making hydrophilic contact lens materials.

Abstract: Contact lenses which are optically clear, wettable, flexible, and of high oxygen permeability in the aqueous ocular environment of use, of a polymer containing polyoxyalkylene backbone units are disclosed, as well as the preparation thereof and methods of treating vision defects therewith.

Abstract: Hydrophilic modifier monomers of the formula [X--T].sub.z 'G' are disclosed wherein X is a reactive group, G' is a hydrophilic group and T is a divalent linking group, z' being a number up to the available valence of G', excess G' valences being taken up by hydrogen. The monomers of the invention can be used to boost the hydrophilic nature of a wide variety of polymeric materials or be polymerized themselves with varying degrees of copolymerizable monomers. They are particularly suited for making hydrophilic contact lens materials.

Abstract: Contact lenses which are optically clear, wettable, flexible, of high oxygen permeability and substantially non-swellable in the aqueous ocular environment of use, of a polymer containing polyoxyalkylene backbone units are disclosed, as well as the preparation thereof and methods of treating vision defects therewith.

Abstract: Hydrophilic modifier monomers of the formula [X-T].sub.z' G are disclosed wherein X is a reactive group, G is a hydrophilic group and T is a divalent linking group, z' being a number up to the available valence of G, excess G valences being taken up by hydrogen. The monomers of the invention can be used to boost the hydrophilic nature of a wide variety of polymeric materials or be polymerized themselves with varying degrees of copolymerizable monomers. They are particularly suited for making hydrophilic contact lens materials.

Abstract: Hydrophilic modifier monomers of the formula [X-T].sub.z 'G are disclosed wherein X is a reactive group, G is a hydrophilic group and T is a divalent linking group, z' being a number up to the available valence of G, excess G valences being taken up by hydrogen. The monomers of the invention can be used to boost the hydrophilic nature of a wide variety of polymeric materials or be polymerized themselves with varying degrees of copolymerizable monomers. They are particularly suited for making hydrophilic contact lens materials.