Abstract: High refractive index copolymers suitable for use in ophthalmic lenses, such as foldable intraocular lenses, are disclosed. The high refractive index copolymers of the present invention consist essentially of (i) one or more monomers having the structure: ##STR1## wherein: X is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 0-10;Y is nothing, O, S, or NR wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1 (n=1-10) isoOC.sub.3 H.sub.7, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ;Ar is any aromatic ring which can be unsubstituted or substituted with H,CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5, n--C.sub.3 H.sub.7, iso--C.sub.3 H.sub.7, OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6 H.sub.11, Cl, Br, C.sub.6 H.sub.5, or CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ;and (ii) one or more monomers having the structure: ##STR2## wherein: X, X' is independently H or CH.sub.3 ;n, n' are independently 2 or 3;m, m' are independently 2-25;Ar, Ar' are independently as defined above;a is 1 or 2; andZ is C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 or S(.dbd.O).sub.2.

Abstract: Foldable, acrylic, high refractive index ophthalmic device materials containing a UV absorbing chromophore are cured by exposure to blue light using a benzoylphosphine oxide photoinitiator.

Abstract: Improved soft, foldable acrylic lens materials which are particularly suited for use as IOLs, but which are also useful as other ophthalmic devices, such as contact lenses, keratoprostheses, and corneal rings or inlays, are disclosed. These materials contain only two principal components: one aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomer and one hydrophilic monomer. The materials of the present invention are copolymers comprising at least about 90% by weight of the two principal monomeric components; provided that the amount of the hydrophilic component is not greater than that of the aryl acrylic hydrophobic component. The remainder of the material comprises up to 10% by weight of one or more additional components, such as cross-linking, UV-light absorbing, and blue-light absorbing components.The aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers suitable for use in the materials of the present invention have the formula ##STR1## wherein: X is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 0-6;Y is nothing, O, S, or NR, wherein R is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.n H.sub.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane having inherent softness properties is formed from a diisocyanate, a polyetherglycol and a mixture of diol chain extenders. The mixture of chain extenders includes a first diol and a second diol which has side chain branching. A method for making the polyurethane of the present invention includes mixing the components to induce an exothermic reaction, followed by curing. The polyurethane formed is suitable for melt processing into medical devices such as catheters, other tubing, hubs and the like.

Abstract: A catheter tubing has a layer of a hydrophobic stiffening polymer encapsulated by a layer of hydrophilic thermoplastic base polymer. Preferred stiffening polymers are polyesterpolyether block copolymers. Preferred base polymers are thermoplastic polyetherurethanes. The encapsulated layer may be a stripe or an annular layer having base polymer layers laminated on both surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A polyurethane composition has particles of solid polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex evenly distributed throughout the polyurethane matrix so that the complex does not associate with the polyurethane to any appreciable extent. In one embodiment of the composition, the polyurethane is thermoplastic for coating or molding applications. In another embodiment, the composition is a polyurethane foam particularly useful as a sponge for scrubbing which provides almost instantaneous release of the complex. The sponge may be provided in a package which includes other items useful for scrubbing.

Abstract: A copolymer having free hydroxyl groups is formed from N-vinyl pyrrolidone and allyl alcohol. A polyurethane is formed from a reaction mixture which includes the copolymer, a diisocyanate, a chain extender and a polyglycol. The polyurethane takes up iodine to give a complex useful as an antimicrobial coating on a medical article or as an antimicrobial foam sponge or wound dressing.

Abstract: A catheter tubing has a layer of a hydrophobic stiffening polymer encapsulated by a layer of hydrophilic thermoplastic base polymer. Preferred stiffening polymers are polyesterpolyether block copolymers. Preferred base polymers are thermoplastic polyetherurethanes. The encapsulated layer may be a stripe or an annular layer having base polymer layers laminated on both surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A device is provided for deliberately distributing simultaneously over the entire vertical and/or longitudinal extend of a body of aqueous containing liquid a gelation agent for the rapid containment of contaminated aqueous liquids. The device is an elongated rigid or semi-rigid body for containing an envelope or package of material immediately dissolvable in the aqueous liquids, and which contains the gelling agent prior to liquid exposure. The device includes means for exposure of its content to the liquid, once the device is positioned in or is surrounded by the liquid. The invention contemplates a conventional suction canister having the device positioned therein for receiving contaminated body fluids.

Abstract: A gelling composition for an aqueous liquid includes ungellated starch which has been reacted with a silane coupling agent. In preferred compositions, the starch is a starch-polyacrylate graft copolymer and the composition includes a polyacrylate gelling agent. A disinfectant may be added to the composition for compositions intended for use with medical waste.

Abstract: An article which becomes lubricious when wet includes a base polymer and a coating composition thereon. The composition includes a lubricating polymer and a matrix polymer which adheres to the base polymer and serves as a carrier for the lubricating polymer. The composition may also include a homogenizing polymer to enhance the compatibility of the matrix and lubricating polymer. The invention includes a method to make the article of the invention by coextruding the base polymer and the coating composition.

Abstract: A composition which includes polyvinylpyrrolidone and a polyurethane is melt processed to give a shaped article. The melt processing may be a coextrusion with a substrate polymer to give a shaped article having the composition coated on the surface thereof. The article surface is lubricious when contacted with water.

Abstract: A melt extruded catheter of thermoplastic elastomeric hydrophilic polyurethane synthesized from a diisocyanate, polyethyleneoxide glycol of high molecular weight and a chain extender expands to a larger lumen size when contacted with an aqueous liquid. The catheter may include an antithrombogenic agent, antiinfective agent and radiopaque agent. The hydrophilic polyurethane may be synthesized by one-shot bulk polymerization, and may be melt extruded into the catheter tubing, and may encapsulate a stripe of a stiffening polyurethane.

Abstract: An oburator includes a solid substantially stiff rod of a nonhydrophilic polymer coated with a layer of a hydrophilic polyurethane which may have an antithrombogenic agent bulk distributing therein. When the hydrophilic polyurethane comes into contact with an aqueous liquid such as water, saline or a body fluid, it absorbs the liquid and expands thereby enlarging the diameter of the obturator. Another aspect of the invention is an assembly of a catheter and the obturator of the invention. When the obturator is emplaced in the catheter and brought into contact with a liquid, it expands, releases the antithrombogenic agent and contacts the lumen wall of the catheter thereby forming a seal which prevents backflow of a body fluid.

Abstract: A coating composition for an article surface includes a uniform blend of an elastomeric segmented hydrophilic polyetherurethane and a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The invention includes a method for rendering an article surface lubricious which includes coating the composition onto the article surface and contacting the coated surface with an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A porous composite membrane comprises a base membrane of high mechanical strength and a coating of a hydrophilic polymer on the surface of the membrane and on the walls of the pores. The invention includes a method to prepare the membrane and a biosensor including the membrane.

Abstract: A method for preparing stable even coatings of a silicone lubricant on a low surface energy polymeric surface of an article includes plasma treatment of the surface in an atmosphere of a siloxane monomer. A layer of polysiloxane is deposited on the low energy surface to give a polysiloxane surface. A film of a polysiloxane lubricant having a surface tension substantially the same as or less than the surface energy of the polysiloxane surface is applied to the polysiloxane layer.

Abstract: Partition membranes which are permeable to blood electrolytes fabricated from crosslinked polyetherurethane compositions having from 20 to 50% hard segments. The membranes absorb from 50 to 120% of their dry weight of water and have electrolyte diffusion constants of up to 1.times.10.sup.-6 cm.sup.2 /sec. The membranes are included in electrochemical, fiber optic and solid state blood electrolyte sensors to provide blood compatible surfaces and to ensure that blood components deleterious to analysis of electrolyte in the blood remain separated from the sensing elements.

Abstract: Partition membranes which are permeable to blood electrolytes fabricated from crosslinked polyetherurethane compositions having from 20 to 50% hard segments. The membranes absorb from 50 to 120% of their dry weight of water and have electrolyte diffusion constants of up to 1.times.10.sup.-6 cm.sup.2 /sec. The membranes are included in electrochemical, fiber optic and solid state blood electrolyte sensors to provide blood compatible surfaces and to ensure that blood components deleterious to analysis of electrolyte in the blood remain separated from the sensing elements.