Abstract: A silicone gel-like material having a reduced content of extractable silicone fluid and having rheological properties approximating human tissue. The gel-like material or "pseudogel" is useful for filling an implantable prosthesis. Prior art silicone gel-filled prosthetic implants contain a high proportion of extractable free silicone fluid. The free silicone fluid within an implant may enter the host's body by diffusion through the prosthetic shell or by rupture of the outer envelope of the prosthesis. The present filler material, or pseudogel, is produced by controlling the cross-linking of the silicone polymer network such that every polymer chain contains only terminal reactive vinyl groups but not all of the reactive groups participate in the cross-linking reaction. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric vinyl-terminated starting fluids are selected so that the average molecular weights of the polysiloxane polymers comprising the fluid fall into two or three distinct ranges.

Abstract: The ultraviolet screening of a silicone rubber intraocular lens can be enhanced by the addition of an optical brightener. The optical brightener also serves to reduce any apparent yellow tint that may occur. The optical brightener is incorporated into the preformed silicone lens by immersing it in a solution containing the optical brightener and an ultraviolet screening agent.

Abstract: A surgically implantable prosthesis, such as a mammary implant, that is rendered rupture-resistant by injecting a liquid with uniformly dispersed lubricating material into a flexible creasable shell during manufacture or surgical implantation. The lubricating material, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, hydroxyethyl starch, or lecithin is uniformly dispersed in a carrier inflating liquid such as normal saline. The lubricating material reduces frictional wear along opposed inner surfaces during sliding contact in a creased area in the shell wall after surgical implantation.

Abstract: A surgically implantable prosthesis such as a mammary implant, that is rendered rupture-resistant by a lubricious layer bonded to the inner surface, outer surface, or both such surfaces of a wall of a flexible, creasable shell of the prosthesis. The lubricious layer reduces self-abrasion damage between sliding surfaces of the shell in a folding or creased area of the shell after surgical implantation. The lubricious layer can be mechanically bonded, such as through physical locking within an interpenetrating lattice structure of such wall, or can be attached to the shell's wall through a covalent chemical bond. An example of the rupture-resistant prosthesis includes a lubricious layer of an acrylamide polymer radiation bonded to at least one wall surface of a silicone shell or bag.

Abstract: An improved composite material for use as a dental restorative in which the major component consists of a finely-divided reinforcing filler having a hardness no greater than about 5.0 on the Moh's scale. Despite the relative softness of such a filler, in contrast to fillers conventionally used in dental composites, the final restoration has superior resistance to abrasion and wear, can be finished more effectively and more aesthetically, and can be handled with metal dental instruments.