Abstract: Biomedical devices such as silicone hydrogels formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a siloxane-containing homopolymer comprising one or more thio carbonyl thio fragments of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent; and (b) one or more biomedical device-forming monomers are disclosed.

Abstract: A biomedical device, such as a contact lens, has a surface linked to a polymer comprising boronic acid moieties. The boronic acid monomeric units may be derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a boronic acid moiety, such as a vinylphenyl boronic acid or a (meth)acrylamido phenyl boronic acid. The boronic acid moieties may be complexed with mucin, especially epithelial mucin.

Abstract: Novel crosslink agents are described that provide for the copolymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare materials for ophthalmic lenses. The new crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer.

Abstract: A synthetic route to polymers comprised of at least two monomers each with a very different reactivity ratio by using a corresponding crosslink agent for each monomer. Novel crosslink agents are described that provide for the copolymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare materials for ophthalmic lenses. The new crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer.

Abstract: Biomedical devices such as contact lenses formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a random copolymer comprising hydrophilic units and hydrophobic units, wherein the random copolymer has at least one thio carbonyl thio fragment of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (“RAFT”) agent are disclosed.

Abstract: Biomedical devices such as silicone hydrogels formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a siloxane-containing homopolymer comprising one or more thio carbonyl thio fragments of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent; and (b) one or more biomedical device-forming monomers are disclosed.

Abstract: Biomedical devices such as contact lenses formed from a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) a hydrophilic polymer comprising one or more hydrophilic units and one or more thio carbonyl thio fragments of a reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (“RAFT”) agent; and (b) one or more biomedical device-forming monomers are disclosed.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are surface modified biomedical devices having a coating on a surface thereof, the coating comprising an inner layer comprising a polymer comprising monomeric units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a boronic acid moiety, and an outer layer comprising a hydrophilic hydrolyzed reactive polymer comprising monomeric units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated containing monomer having hydrolyzable reactive functionalities.

Abstract: Biomedical devices are provided herein which are formed from a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising (a) a polymerizable monomer containing a boronic acid moiety and an electron withdrawing moiety; and (b) a biomedical device-forming comonomer.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomedical devices having a hydrophilic coating on a portion of a surface thereof, the biomedical device comprising: (a) a biomedical device obtained from a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising (i) a polymerizable monomer containing a boronic acid moiety and an electron withdrawing moiety; and (ii) a biomedical device-forming comonomer; and (b) a hydrophilic reactive polymer having complementary reactive functionalities along the polymer chain, wherein the complementary reactive functionalities along the polymer chain of the hydrophilic reactive polymer of (b) bind with the boronic acid moieties of the biomedical device of (a), thereby producing a biocompatible coating which can be removed and re-applied to restore the surface properties of the biomedical device to substantially as-new condition. Methods for treating the biomedical device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polymers for biomedical use, especially rigid gas permeable contact lenses that are based on bulky side-chain siloxane cross linkers. The siloxanes, either alone, or as copolymers with bulky and non-bulky mono-functional polymerizable siloxanes, fluoro monomers, such as hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate, and hydrophilic monomers, result in transparent, high oxygen permeable polymers possessing excellent lathing and milling characteristics.

Abstract: A method for reducing the modulus of polymer siloxane hydrogel compositions by employing monomeric polysiloxanes endcapped with trimethylsilyl to reduce the crosslinking density of the hydrogel. The synthesis consists of a single vessel acid catalyzed ring opening polymerization and may be employed to produce copolymers useful as hydrogel contact lens materials.

Abstract: Crosslink agents used to copolymerize at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare polymeric materials for ophthalmic lenses. The crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer. Accordingly, the invention is also directed to a hydrophilic crosslinked polymer that comprises at least two monomeric units and at least two different crosslink units. The use of the dual crosslink system provides an improved means to control the final chemical, physical and structural characteristics of the resulting polymer.

Abstract: A synthetic route to polymers comprised of at least two monomers each with a very different reactivity ratio by using a corresponding crosslink agent for each monomer. Novel crosslink agents are described that provide for the copolymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare materials for ophthalmic lenses. The new crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer.

Abstract: A contact lens is coated with a layer of a polymer having affinity for mucin, such as a polymer with boronic acid moieties. This polymer is coated with a diol. While the contact lens is worn, the diol is replaced with mucin.

Abstract: An improved double-sided adhesive tape has an elongate carrier strip, with a length and width defining a pair of opposing planar faces that are separated by a thickness that is substantially smaller than either the length or width, a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to each of the opposing faces along the length, and a release liner strip in removable registration atop one of the adhesive layers. The improvement in the tape is provided by a loop formed between the release liner strip and the adhesive layer upon which it is in registration, the loop defined by bending a length of the release liner out of registration with the adhesive layer before resuming the registration. A method and machine for manufacturing the improvement structure are also provided.

Abstract: Surface modified medical devices such as intraocular lens implants formed from one or more functional group-containing materials using reactive, hydrophilic polymers with catalyst functionality for the purpose of reducing or eliminating lens epithelial cell growth thereon, reducing or eliminating silicone oil absorption upon subsequent surgical exposure and/or reducing implantation inserter friction is provided herein. Additionally, a method of making and using surface modified intraocular lens implants is provided.

Abstract: A biomedical device surface, such as a contact lens surface, is covalently linked to a cationic copolymer. The copolymer may include monomeric units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a quaternary ammonium moiety and monomeric units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a moiety reactive with complementary reactive functionalities at the lens surface. The copolymer may be covalently linked directly to the lens surface, or covalently linked with an intermediate polymer reactive with both the lens surface and the copolymer.

Abstract: A biomedical device, such as a contact lens, has a surface linked to a polymer comprising boronic acid moieties. The boronic acid monomeric units may be derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing a boronic acid moiety, such as a vinylphenyl boronic acid or a (meth)acrylamido phenyl boronic acid. The boronic acid moieties may be complexed with mucin, especially epithelial mucin.