Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a polymeric photoinitiator, of the general formula I: Polymer-[CR2-CHR-Spacer(PI)n]m (I) wherein m is an integer from 1-5000; n is a real number above 0 and below 5; R is as defined herein, and PI is a photoinitiator moiety. The method comprises grafting one or more photoinitiator moieties (PI), each of which comprises at least one activated alkene functional group, onto the polymer. Polymeric photoinitiators are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the manufacture of a gel, said method comprising the steps of: providing a matrix composition comprising a polymeric photoinitiator of the general formula (I): Polymer-[CR2—CHR-Spacer(PI)n]m (I) curing the matrix composition by exposing it to UV radiation and exposing the matrix composition to a swelling medium. The invention also relates to gels obtainable via the above method. The invention provides a hydrophilic gel precursor manufactured from the polymeric photoinitiator of Formula (I). Medical devices comprising the gels and hydrophilic gel precursors of the invention are provided. The invention also provides the use of a polymeric photoinitiator in the manufacture of a gel.

Abstract: A photoinitiator of the general formula (I): (—(R1(A1)m)u—(R2(A2)n-0)0—(R3(A3)p-0)q-(R4(A4)r)v-C(0)NH—R5(A5)5-NHC(0))t- wherein R1(R2, R3, R4 and R5 and m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u and v are as defined herein and A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5 are identical or different photoinitiator moieties.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a skin-friendly pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing a matrix composition comprising a polymeric photoinitiator of the general formula (I): R1(A1)r-(R2(A2)m-0)o-(R3(A3)n-O)p—R4(A4)s (I) and b. curing the matrix composition in step a. by exposing it to UV radiation. The matrix composition may additionally comprise one or more adhesive-forming polymers and/or adhesive-forming monomers, or may simply consist of the polymeric photoinitiator of the general formula I, as defined herein. The invention also relates to the skin-friendly pressure-sensitive adhesive composition obtained by the method of the invention, as well as a medical device comprising said adhesive composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the manufacture of a catheter comprising a hydrophilic gel. The method comprising the steps of combining a polymeric photoinitiator of the general formula (I): R1(A1)r-(R2(A2)m-O)o—(R3(A3)n-O)p—R4(A4)s??(I) with one or more gel-forming polymers and/or gel-forming monomers to form a matrix composition, curing the matrix composition by exposing it to UV radiation, exposing the matrix composition to a swelling medium and incorporating the hydrophilic gel into a catheter. The invention also provides autocuring of the polymeric photoinitiator (I) to provide a gel precursor, a hydrophilic gel and a catheter comprising or coated with the hydrophilic gel of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polymeric photoinitiators based on polyalkyletherurethane backbones in the production of hydrophilic gels, in particular hydrogels. The invention relates to methods for manufacturing hydrophilic gels using said polymeric photoinitiators, and the hydrophilic gels thus obtained.

Abstract: A polyalkylether photoinitiator of the general formula I, R1(A1)r-(R2(A2)m-O)o—(R3(A3)n-O)p—R4(A4)s I wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and m, n, o, p, r and s are as defined herein and A1, A2, A3 and A4 are identical or different photoinitiator moieties.

Abstract: To identify an alternative swelling medium with a hydrophilic polymer, we have observed that a swelling medium containing only 6% PEG 2000 and 0.9% NaCl failed to protect a hydrophilic coating during electron beam sterilization and subsequent storage at ambient and higher temperatures in an accelerated storage stability test. An unacceptably low dry-out time, below the specified 5 minutes, was obtained. However, when the biological buffer sodium citrate was added to a swelling medium containing PEG 2000, the performance of the stored catheters was as good as or better than the performance of catheters stored with the conventional swelling medium.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a package comprising a packing means holding a medical device element of a substrate polymer, said substrate polymer having on at least a part of the surface thereof a hydrophilic coating, wherein the hydrophilic coating has been applied to the surface of said substrate polymer in the form of a solution of a hydrophilic polymer selected from the groups consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene oxide in a vehicle comprising an optionally substituted 1,3-dioxolane compound, followed by evaporation of at least part of the vehicle and arranging said medical device element having the coating of the non-cross-linked hydrophilic polymer within a packing means, and sealing said packing means.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a package comprising a packing means holding a medical device element of a substrate polymer, said substrate polymer having on at least a part of the surface thereof a hydrophilic coating, wherein the hydrophilic coating has been applied to the surface of said substrate polymer in the form of a solution of a hydrophilic polymer selected from the groups consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyethylene oxide in a vehicle comprising an optionally substituted 1,3-dioxolane compound, followed by evaporation of at least part of the vehicle and arranging said medical device element having the coating of the non-cross-linked hydrophilic polymer within a packing means, and sealing said packing means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical device having a substrate polymer surface carrying thereon a hydrophilic coating comprising a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer and p-toluenesulfonamide, and a method for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: A method of preparation of a cross-linked hydrogel by graft copolymerisation, said method comprises the steps of preparing an aqueous solution comprising one or more hydrophilic polymers, a cross-linking agent and a photoinitiator comprising a water-soluble peroxydisulphate, subjecting said solution to irradation and obtaining the cross-linked hydrogel, wherein the hydrophilic polymers are saturated and the cross-linking agent acts as a co-catalyst of cross-linking. The hydrogel is fast to produce and has low toxicity. The hydrogel may be suitable for use in medical devices such as dressings and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device having a wetted hydrophilic coating comprising: a coating composition containing a hydrophilic polymer and a wetting agent comprising water and one or more lubricant(s).

Abstract: An absorbent fibrous material comprising fibres prepared by melt spinning, solvent spinning, dry spinning or electro spinning of a polymer composition having a water absorption capacity of at least 10 g/g polymer composition and comprising a thermoplastic hydrophilic block copolymer as well as wound dressings comprising such absorbent fibrous material.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing a medical device having a hydrophilic coating using radiation, said method including the steps of bringing the medical device having such coating in contact with an aqueous liquid for wetting the hydrophilic coating, said liquid including a solution of a hydrophilic polymer, and sterilizing the device by applying a sufficient amount of radiation to provide a coated device showing a significantly increased and prolonged water retention and lower friction coefficient when wet.

Abstract: A hydrophilic coating having a covalently cross-linked hydrophilic polymer suitable for coating medical devices or instruments for introduction into human cavities, the coating further having a water soluble compound, the water soluble compound being glucose, sorbitol a halide, nitrate, acetate, citrate or benzoate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or silver; acetic acid, glycine or urea. A medical device or instrument for introduction into human cavities having a hydrophilic coating and a method of producing such a medical device or instrument.

Abstract: A hydrophilic coating having a covalently cross-linked hydrophilic polymer suitable for coating medical devices or instruments for introduction into human cavities, the coating further having a water soluble compound, the water soluble compound being glucose, sorbitol, a halide, nitrate, acetate, citrate or benzoate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal or silver; acetic acid, glycine or urea. A medical device or instrument for introduction into human cavities having a hydrophilic coating and a method of producing such a medical device or instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station.