Abstract: Packaging systems for storing ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses and to methods for packaging such ophthalmic devices with solutions to improve the comfort of the lenses during wear are disclosed. A packaging system includes an ophthalmic device stored in an aqueous packaging solution comprising a substantially water-soluble silicone-containing surfactant. Such solutions are retained on the surface of an unused lens for extended periods of time, resulting in surface modification that persists in the eye, which may provide significant improvement in the wetting properties of fresh contact lenses used for the first time and, moreover, even several hours after lens insertion, preventing dryness and improving lubricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain cationic monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices. Such properties include the ability to extract the polymerized medical devices with water. This avoids the use of organic solvents as is typical in the art. The polymer compositions comprise polymerized silicon-containing monomers end-capped with polymerizable cationic hydrophilic groups.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of amphiphilic multiblock copolymers comprising a hydrophobic segment and a hydrophilic the amphiphilic multiblock copolymer has at least one thio carbonyl thio group capable of participating in a free radical reaction as comonomers in forming ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses, intraocular lenses, corneal implants, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric compositions useful in the manufacture of biocompatible medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain cationic monomers capable of polymerization to form polymeric compositions having desirable physical characteristics useful in the manufacture of ophthalmic devices. Such properties include the ability to extract the polymerized medical devices with water. This avoids the use of organic solvents as is typical in the art. The polymeric compositions comprise polymerized cationic hydrophilic siloxanyl monomers.

Abstract: A method for modifying the refractive index of an optical, hydrogel polymeric material. The method comprises irradiating predetermined regions of an optical, polymeric material with a laser to form refractive structures. To facilitate the formation of the refractive structures the optical, hydrogel polymeric material comprises a photosensitizer. The presence of the photosensitizer permits one to set a scan rate to a value that is at least fifty times greater than a scan rate without the photosensitizer in the material, yet provides similar refractive structures in terms of the observed change in refractive index. Alternatively, the photosensitizer in the polymeric material permits one to set an average laser power to a value that is at least two times less than an average laser power without the photosensitizer in the material, yet provide similar refractive structures.

Abstract: Packaging systems for storing ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses and to methods for packaging such ophthalmic devices with solutions to improve the comfort of the lenses during wear are disclosed. A packaging system includes an ophthalmic device stored in an aqueous packaging solution comprising a substantially water-soluble silicone-containing surfactant. Such solutions are retained on the surface of an unused lens for extended periods of time, resulting in surface modification that persists in the eye, which may provide significant improvement in the wetting properties of fresh contact lenses used for the first time and, moreover, even several hours after lens insertion, preventing dryness and improving lubricity.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward surface treatment of a device. The surface treatment comprises the attachment of reactive segmented block copolymers to the surface of the substrate by means of reactive functionalities of the terminal functionalized surfactant material reacting with complementary surface reactive functionalities in monomeric units along the polymer substrate. The present invention is also directed to a surface modified medical device, examples of which include contact lenses, intraocular lenses, vascular stents, phakic intraocular lenses, aphakic intraocular lenses, corneal implants, catheters, implants, and the like, comprising a surface made by such a method.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward surface treatment of a device. The surface treatment comprises the placing of surface active segmented block copolymers to the surface of the substrate. The present invention is also directed to a surface modified medical device, examples of which include contact lenses, intraocular lenses, vascular stents, phakic intraocular lenses, aphakic intraocular lenses, corneal implants, catheters, implants, and the like, comprising a surface made by such a method.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward surface active segmented block copolymers useful to treat the surface of a substrate by means of surface active functionalities of the surface active segmented block copolymer material binding with complementary surface functionalities of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward reactive segmented block copolymers useful to treat the surface of a substrate by means of reactive functionalities of the reactive segmented block copolymer material reacting with complementary surface reactive functionalities of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward interactive segmented block copolymers useful to treat the surface of a substrate by means of interactive functionalities of the interactive segmented block copolymer material binding with complementary surface functionalities of the polymer substrate.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward surface treatment of a device. The surface treatment comprises the attachment of interactive segmented block copolymers to the surface of the substrate by means of interactive functionalities of the segmented block copolymer reacting with complementary surface functionalities in monomeric units along the polymer substrate. The present invention is also directed to a surface modified medical device, examples of which include contact lenses, intraocular lenses, vascular stents, phakic intraocular lenses, aphakic intraocular lenses, corneal implants, catheters, implants, and the like, comprising a surface made by such a method.

Abstract: Polymerized drug delivery devices are described. Additionally, methods are described for producing and for using polymerized particles for use as drug delivery devices.

Abstract: A method for improving the wettability of a medical device is provided, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a medical device formed from a monomer mixture comprising a hydrophilic monomer and a siloxy-containing monomer, (b) subjecting a surface of the medical device to a surface treatment, and (c) contacting the treated surface of the medical device with a wetting agent solution comprising a carboxylic acid-containing polymer or copolymer to form a carboxylic acid-containing polymeric or copolymeric layer on the treated surface of the medical device.

Abstract: A surface modified biomedical device is provided comprising a biomedical device having a coating on at least a portion thereof, the coating comprising a polymer or copolymer having one or more repeating units of the formula: wherein R independently is a C2-C20 hydrocarbon radical and n is an integer of 2 to 5000.