Abstract: The present invention relates to a material having improved mechanical properties, clarity, processability and/or degradation resistance comprising a polyurethane elastomeric composition which includes a soft segment derived from at least one polysiloxane macrodiol and at least one polyether and/or polycarbonate macrodiol. This material can function as a degradation resistant material or biomaterial and is particularly useful in the manufacture of medical devices, articles or implants which contact living tissues or bodily fluids. The present invention also provides a polyurethane elastomeric composition which includes a soft segment derived from about 60 to about 98 wt. % of at least one polysiloxane macrodiol and about 2 to about 40 wt. % of at least one polyether and/or polycarbonate macrodiol and processes for its preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers incorporating dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the like and their production. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and like compounds, in both porous and non-porous forms, as substrates for the attachment and growth of mammalian cells and tissue. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as components of medical devices and prostheses, including implanted devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers incorporating dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the like and their production. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and like compounds, in both porous and non-porous forms, as substrates for the attachment and growth of mammalian cells and tissue. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as components of medical devices and prostheses, including implanted devices.

Abstract: A polyurethane composition comprising a chain extender including a silicon-containing diol of the formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are the same or different and selected from an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; R7 is a divalent linking group or an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; and n is 0 or greater, preferably 2 or less.

Abstract: A process for the purification of polyethers prepared by acid catalyzed condensation of polyhydroxy compounds includes the steps of: (a) heating the polyether with water for a time and at temperature sufficient to substantially hydrolyze esters formed during polymerization; and (b) separating the polyether from the water. The heating of the polyether and water may be conducted under reflux at a temperature of 60 to 100° C. for a period of 2 to 20 hours. The polyether recovered from step (b) may be subjected to further washing with hot water to remove residual acid.

Abstract: An improved biostable polyurethane-urea elastomeric composition derived from a silicon-containing diamine of formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material having improved mechanical properties, clarity, processability and/or degradation resistance comprising a polyurethane elastomeric composition which includes a soft segment derived from at least one polysiloxane macrodiol and at least one polyether and/or polycarbonate macrodiol. This material can function as a degradation resistant material or biomaterial and is particularly useful in the manufacture of medical devices, articles or implants which contact living tissues or bodily fluids. The present invention also provides a polyurethane elastomeric composition which includes a soft segment derived from about 60 to 98 wt % of at least one polysiloxane macrodiol and about 2 to 40 wt % of at least one polyether and/or polycarbonate macrodiol and processes for its preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers comprising one or more perfluoroalkylpolyether units and one or more different charged units, to a process for producing such polymers in non-porous or particularly in porous form and to mouldings composed thereof. The novel polymers have an improved wettability and cell growth ability and are thus useful, for example, for the manufacture of biomedical devices, in particular opthalmic devices.

Abstract: A process for the production of polymers by free radical polymerization, characterized in that there is added to the polymerization system one or more compounds of general formula (A), where R1 is a group capable of activating the vinylic carbon towards free radical addition; Y is OR2, where R2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, or optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; X is an element other than carbon selected from the Groups, IV, V, VI or VII of the Periodic Table or a group consisting of an element selected from the Groups IV, V, or VI to which is attached one or more oxygen atoms; and n is a number from 0 to 3, such that the valency of the group X is satisfied and, when n is greater than 1, the groups represented by R2 are identical or different.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers comprising a perfluoropolyether unit, to a process for producing such porous polymers, in particular to a process for polymerising or copolymerising monomers incorporating perfluoropolyethers to form porous polymers, to articles made of or comprising porous polymers comprising a perfluoropolyether unit, such as membranes or ophthalmic devices, and to the use of porous polymers comprising perfluoropolyether units as articles, such as membranes or ophthalmic devices. The perfluoropolyether units are preferably of the formula (PFPE):--OCH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.x (CF.sub.2 O).sub.y CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O-- wherein the CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O and CF.sub.2 O units may be randomly distributed or distributed as blocks throughout the chain and wherein x and y may be the same or different such that the molecular weight of the perfluorinated polyether is in the range of from 242 to 4,000.

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: A process for the production of lower molecular weight polymers by free radical polymerization, characterized in that there is added to the polymerization system a compound of the general formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, chlorine, an alkyl group, or a group capable of activating the vinylic carbon towards free radical addition;R.sup.2 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, cycloalkenyl or cycloalkyl group or the group --COZ, where Z is R.sup.3 or OR.sup.3, where R.sup.3 is hydrogen or an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group.X is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or aryl group, or a halogen, and the two X groups may be the same or different.The invention also includes polymers or oligomers made by the process and novel compounds of the generated formula I as defined above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of a porous polymer comprising the steps of: i) forming a mixture comprising a polymerizable component and an organic solvent wherein the polymerizable component comprises at least one macromonomer having at least one perfluoropolyether unit; ii) polymerizing said mixture wherein immediately after the polymerization of said mixture at least a substantial proportion of said organic solvent is in the form of a discrete phase and wherein said discrete organic solvent phase forms an interpenetrating network throughout the mixture or is dispersed throughout the mixture; and iii) removing the discrete organic solvent phase.

Abstract: Cell growth substrate polymers are described which comprise a macromonomer of the formula (I): Q-(PFPE-L).sub.n-1 -PFPE-Q, wherein n is at least 1.0; each PFPE may be the same or different and is a perfluorinated polyether of the formula (II): --OCH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O (CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.x (CF.sub.2 O).sub.y CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--, wherein the CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O and CF.sub.2 O units may be randomly distributed or distributed as blocks throughout the chain and wherein x and y may be the same or different such that the molecular weight of the perfluoropolyether is in the range of from 242 to 4000, L is a difunctional linking group; and Q at each end of the macromonomer is the same or different and is a polymerizable group. The cell growth substrate polymers may be used in the production of comeal implants.

Abstract: A macromonomer of the formula I is described:Q--B(L--B).sub.n T (I)wherein n is zero or at least 1.0;Q is a polymerizable group;B may be the same or different and is a difunctional block of molecular weight in the range of from 100 to 8000 and wherein at least one B is a residue from a difunctional polymer or copolymer wherein B has a molecular weight of 248 to 8000 comprising silicone repeat units of formula II ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, haloaryl, heterocyclyl and haloheterocyclyl;L is a difunctional linking group; andT is a terminal group.The macromonomer may be used preferably in the production of contact lenses.

Abstract: Macromonomers of the formula I are described:Q-B(L-B).sub.n T (I)wherein n is at least 1.0;Q is a polymerizable group;B may be the same or different and is a difunctional block of molecular weight in the range of from 100 to 4000 and wherein at least one B is a perfluorinated polyether of formula II;--OCH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.x (CF.sub.2 O).sub.y CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O-- (II)wherein the CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O and CF.sub.2 O units may be randomly distributed or distributed as blocks throughout the chain and wherein x and y may be the same or different such that the molecular weight of the perfluorinated polyether is in the range of from 242 to 4,000;L is a difunctional linking group; andT is a terminal group.These macromonomers may be used in the production of contact lenses, corneal implants, cell growth substrate or medical implant.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear 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 macromer of formula (I) is described: Q-(PFPE-L).sub.n-1 -PFPE-Q, wherein n>1.0; PFPE may be the same or different and is a perfluorinated polyether of formula (II): --OCH.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O(CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O).sub.x (CF.sub.2 O).sub.y CF.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--, wherein the CF.sub.2 CF.sub.2 O and CF.sub.2 O units may be randomly distributed or distributed as blocks throughout the chain and wherein x and y may be the same or different such that the molecular weight of the PFPE is in the range of from 242 to 4,000; L is a difunctional linking group; and Q may be the same or different and is a polymerizable group. The macromer may be used preferably in the production of contact lenses.

Abstract: A process for the production of polymers by free radical polymerization, characterized in that there is added to the polymerization system one or more compounds of the general formula (A). ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a group capable of activating the vinylic carbon towards free radical addition;Y is OR.sup.2 or CH.sub.2 X(R.sup.2).sub.nwhere R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, or optionally substituted saturated, unsaturated or aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring;X is an element other than carbon selected from Groups IV, V, VI or VII of the Periodic Table or a group consisting of an element selected from Groups IV, V, or VI to which is attached one or more oxygen atoms; andn is a number from 0 to 3, such that the valency of the group X is satisfied and, when n is greater than 1, the groups represented by R.sup.2 may be identical or different.