Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing ophthalmic lenses, preferably contact lenses, more preferably silicone hydrogel contact lenses. This method involves applying a coat of catanionic vesicles onto the molding surfaces of a mold. By having a coat of catanionic vesicles on the molding surfaces of a mold, mold separation force and lens defects generated during mold opening and de-molding process can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for washing, with a water-based system, reusable molds for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The water-based washing system comprises an ethoxylated silicone polyether surfactant. The water-based system of the invention can effectively wash away silicone-containing components and other components of a lens formulation left behind on the molding surfaces of a reusable mold, after removing a silicone hydrogel contact lens cast molded in the reusable mold.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing ophthalmic lenses, preferably contact lenses, more preferably silicone hydrogel contact lenses. This method involves applying a coat of catanionic vesicles onto the molding surfaces of a mold. By having a coat of catanionic vesicles on the molding surfaces of a mold, mold separation force and lens defects generated during mold opening and de-molding process can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a method and a fluid polymerizable composition for producing contact lenses with improved lens quality and with increased product yield. The method of the invention involves adding a water soluble and/or water dispersible quaternary ammonium cationic group containing silicone surfactant into a fluid polymerizable composition including a lens-forming material in an amount sufficient to reduce an averaged mold separation force by at least about 30% in comparison with that without the water soluble and/or water dispersible quaternary ammonium cationic group containing silicone surfactant.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for washing, with a water-based system, reusable molds for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses. The water-based washing system comprises an ethoxylated silicone polyether surfactant. The water-based system of the invention can effectively wash away silicone-containing components and other components of a lens formulation left behind on the molding surfaces of a reusable mold, after removing a silicone hydrogel contact lens cast molded in the reusable mold.

Abstract: A method of producing and simultaneously deaerating a mixture comprises providing, in a container, components of the mixture; and subjecting the container to a rotational motion about a first axis in a first direction while rotating the container about a second axis in a second direction to effect a mixing and a substantially simultaneous deaeration.

Abstract: A method of producing a mixture or solution of a liquid and a fusible solid comprises providing, in a container, the liquid and the fusible solid; and subjecting the container to a rotational motion about a first axis in a first direction while rotating the container about a second axis in a second direction to effect a dissolution of the fusible solid and a mixing of the components of the mixture or solution.

Abstract: A method of producing a mixture comprises providing, in a container, at least a first component of the mixture at a first temperature; adding a remaining component of the mixture to said at least a first component; subjecting the container to a rotational motion about a first axis in a first direction while rotating the container about a second axis in a second direction to effect a mixing; wherein the first temperature is lower than the temperature of the mixture at the end of the mixing.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for cleaning surgical devices employing one or more phosphonates, one or more surfactants and one or more buffering agents in amounts effective to reduce elemental deposits on surgical devices are disclosed. Additionally, methods of making and using surgical device cleaning solutions containing one or more of the subject compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of molds for the production of contact lenses and other ophthalmic articles. By using an inorganic material to coat the optical surfaces and sidewalls of mold parts made from clear-resin materials, manufacturers can produce lens molds with greater dimensional stability and chemical resistance. In addition to protecting the clear resin from interaction with otherwise reactive monomers from which the molded article is made, such coatings can also be used to achieve preferential release of the molded article. The resulting mold is especially useful for providing an economical way to improve manufacturing quality of contact lenses.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a molded article. In one embodiment, an amorphous posterior mold comprising a non-critical surface having a controlled radius of curvature is used to produce molded articles. In an alternate embodiment, ophthalmic lenses are produced using a posterior mold in which the concave surface of the non-critical surface is filled with a liquid having a similar refractive index as the mold material. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed at a predetermined distance adjacent to the mold assembly to alter the irradiation path to the mold assembly. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed within the concave surface of the posterior lens.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a molded article. In one embodiment, an amorphous posterior mold comprising a non-critical surface having a controlled radius of curvature is used to produce molded articles. In an alternate embodiment, ophthalmic lenses are produced using a posterior mold in which the concave surface of the non-critical surface is filled with a liquid having a similar refractive index as the mold material. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed at a predetermined distance adjacent to the mold assembly to alter the irradiation path to the mold assembly. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed within the concave surface of the posterior lens.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of molds for the production of contact lenses and other ophthalmic articles. By using an inorganic material to coat the optical surfaces and sidewalls of mold parts made from clear-resin materials, manufacturers can produce lens molds with greater dimensional stability and chemical resistance. In addition to protecting the clear resin from interaction with otherwise reactive monomers from which the molded article is made, such coatings can also be used to achieve preferential release of the molded article. The resulting mold is especially useful for providing an economical way to improve manufacturing quality of contact lenses.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of molds for the production of contact lenses and other ophthalmic articles. By using an inorganic material to coat the optical surfaces and sidewalls of mold parts made from clear-resin materials, manufacturers can produce lens molds with greater dimensional stability and chemical resistance. In addition to protecting the clear resin from interaction with otherwise reactive monomers from which the molded article is made, such coatings can also be used to achieve preferential release of the molded article. The resulting mold is especially useful for providing an economical way to improve manufacturing quality of contact lenses.

Abstract: A method and mold assembly to control the polymerization of a molded article. In one embodiment, an amorphous posterior mold comprising a non-critical surface having a controlled radius of curvature is used to produce molded articles. In an alternate embodiment, ophthalmic lenses are produced using a posterior mold in which the concave surface of the non-critical surface is filled with a liquid having a similar refractive index as the mold material. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed at a predetermined distance adjacent to the mold assembly to alter the irradiation path to the mold assembly. In still another embodiment, a positive lens is placed within the concave surface of the posterior lens.