Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions that may alleviate symptoms of ocular stress, as well as methods of their production, use, and storage compositions. The compositions comprise at least one ocular epithelial cell associating group and at least one hydrophilic group. In one embodiment the at least one ocular epithelial cell associating group and at least one hydrophilic group are substituents on a conjugated polyaromatic core. The compositions may be used in ophthalmic compositions and ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process comprising forming a monomer mixture comprising at least one monofunctional silicone containing component which comprises at least one difunctional byproduct and adding to said monomer mixture a normalizing amount of said at least one difunctional byproduct and curing said monomer mixture to form a biomedical device.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for forming a biomedical device, such as an ophthalmic lens, in a area defined by a first mold part and a second mold part wherein during the formation of the biomedical device a HEMA is formed and the HEMA ring and a greater adhesive force is generated on the HEMA ring by the second mold part than the first mold part.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making a coated contact lens with desirable physiological performance. Preferably, the lenses are made from hydrophobic contact lens substrate with a hydrophilic coating material. The hydrophobic lens substrate is coated with a hydrophilic material having an expansion factor greater than one. The coated lenses have low physical defect and surface roughness profiles.

Abstract: An automated means for hydrating and packaging a molded hydrophilic contact lens in one of the mold parts used to mold the lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. The hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis.

Abstract: An automated means for hydrating and packaging a molded hydrophilic contact lens in one of the mold parts used to mold the lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. The hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for causing the polymerized excess monomer to separate from a molded lens by increasing the surface energy of the flange area of one mold piece, causing the polymerized excess monomer to stick thereto. Specifically when manufactured under inert atmosphere conditions, a particular manifold is needed to supply an oxygen bearing gas, air, to the area to be treated while preventing the oxygen from contaminating the lens manufacturing area of the molds or diluting the nitrogen atmosphere of other lens process areas. It has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for causing the polymerized excess monomer to separate from a molded lens by increasing the surface energy of the flange area of one mold piece, causing the polymerized excess monomer to stick thereto. Specifically when manufactured under inert atmosphere conditions, a particular manifold is needed to supply an oxygen bearing gas, air, to the area to be treated while preventing the oxygen from contaminating the lens manufacturing area of the molds or diluting the nitrogen atmosphere of other lens process areas. It has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing accelerated electrons to at least part of one surface of one ophthalmic mold piece prior to filling with monomer and lens polymerization. In particular it has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated. In the preferred embodiment, the flange around the convex, male piece of the lens mold is corona treated so that when the mold pieces are separated after lens polymerization, the flashing of excess polymerized material surrounding the lens cavity adheres to that male, convex piece flange while the lens is removed with the female, concave piece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing accelerated electrons to at least part of one surface of one ophthalmic mold piece prior to filling with monomer and lens polymerization. In particular it has been found that generation of the ionized oxygen by means of a corona treatment electrode sufficiently increases the adherence of the polymer to the mold piece so treated. In the preferred embodiment, the flange around the convex, male piece of the lens mold is corona treated so that when the mold pieces are separated after lens polymerization, the flashing of excess polymerized material surrounding the lens cavity adheres to that male, convex piece flange while the lens is removed with the female, concave piece.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed of imparting a tint or color to a soft, hydrogel contact lens by uniformly dispersing a dye throughout the lens. The dye is composed of a water-soluble compound essentially free of ethylenic unsaturation. A homogeneous solution of the dye in a hydrophilic monomer is prepared, the solution is subjected to polymerization conditions to yield a hydrophilic polymer from which the lens is formed, and the dye dispersed within the polymer is bonded to the polymer by contact with aqueous base prior to final hydration.The finished lens does not require soaking in an aqueous solution of the dye to impart the desired tint or color to the lens. Additionally, the dye uniformly dispersed throughout the lens according to the improved method does not leach out of the lens or migrate within the lens.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by (1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising: (a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of a hydrophilic (meth)acrylate ester such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, an alkyl (meth)acrylate wherein the alkyl group contains at least four carbon atoms, and a cross-linking monomer; and (b) a water-displaceable diluent, wherein said diluent has a viscosity of at least 100 MPa Sec at 30.degree. C., and wherein said diluent consists essentially of a boric acid ester of certain dihydric alcohols, said dihydric alcohols having Hansen polar (w.sub.p) and Hansen hydrogen bonding (w.sub.h) cohesion parameters falling within the area of a circle defined as having a center at w.sub.h =20.5, w.sub.p =13, and a radius of 8.5, to produce a shaped gel of a copolymer of said monomers and said diluent, and (2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: Shaped hydrogel articles such as soft contact lenses are prepared by (1) molding or casting a polymerization mixture comprising: (a) a monomer mixture comprising a major proportion of a hydrophilic (meth)acrylate ester such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and a cross-linking monomer; and (b) a water-displaceable diluent, wherein said diluent has a viscosity of at least 100 MPa Sec at 30.degree. C., and wherein said diluent consists essentially of a boric acid ester of certain dihydric alcohols, said dihydric alcohols having Hansen polar (.delta..sub.p) and Hansen hydrogen bonding (.delta..sub.h) cohesion parameters falling within the area of a circle defined as having a center at .delta..sub.h =20.5, .delta..sub.p =13, and a radius of 8.5, to produce a shaped gel of a coploymer of said monomers and said diluent, and (2) thereafter replacing said diluent with water.

Abstract: An electronic token for use with a prepayment commodity meter such as an electricity meter comprises a key-like device 10 having a head 12 containing an electronic circuit and a body portion 14 for insertion into a keyway in a receptable 40 in the meter. The body portion 14 has grooves 24 which serve to guide the body portion into the keyway, and which contain electrical contacts 28, 30 connected within the device 10 to the electronic circuit. Between the body portion 14 and the head 12, the device 10 is provided with a locating recess 27, which engages a projection 78 in the receptacle 40 when the body portion is fully inserted into the keyway. The receptacle 40 incorporates a combined shutter 98 and spring 102, which serve to close the keyway in the absence of the device 10, and to urge the body portion 12 to one side of the keyway during insertion, such that the recess 27 engages the projection 78 and the contacts 28, 30 engage contacts 68, 72 in the receptacle.