Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a medical device element by means of extrusion or injection molding and to medical devices comprising such extruded or injection molded medical device elements. The medical device elements (e.g. tubes, wires, lines, stents, catheters, guides, endodontic instruments, needles, trocars for e.g. laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic accessories, surgical instruments, guide wires) are characterized by a prefabricated shaped article or a thermoplastic substrate polymer having thereon a layer of a covalently cross-linked coating composition of a thermoplastic matrix polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. The method involves a coating composition comprising a thermoplastic matrix polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and one or more photo-initiator(s), e.g. covalently linked to molecules of the thermoplastic matrix polymer and/or to molecules of the hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: Novel photoinitiators provide for polyurethane formation, in which a photoinitiator moiety and a tertiary amine are incorporated into the photoinitiator structure, and thus the polyurethane polymer.

Abstract: The application discloses a method for the preparation (by extruding, injection molding or powder coating and subsequent cross-linking by irradiation with UV or visible light) of a medical device element involving a coating composition comprising: a) as the only polymer constituent(s), at least 50% by weight of poly(ethylene oxide)(s) optionally in combination with non-thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer(s), and b) low molecular weight scaffold(s) having a plurality of photo-initiator moieties covalently linked thereto and/or covalently incorporated therein, wherein the photo-initiator moieties constitute 0.01-20% by weight of the combined amount of the poly(ethylene oxide)(s), any non-thermoplastic hydrophilic polymers and the low molecular weight scaffolds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of a cross-linked hydrophilic coating of a hydrophilic polymer on a substrate polymer surface of a medical device, involving the use of a polymer solution comprising 1-20% by weight of a hydrophilic polymer, 0-5% by weight of additive(s), and the balance of a vehicle with plasticizing effect on the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one plasticizer having a solubility in water of at least 6 g/L, a boiling point above 210° C. at 760 mmHg, and Hansen ?H parameter of less than 20. Furthermore, the invention provides a medical device, e.g. a catheter or guide wire, provided with such a hydrophilic coating. The invention also provides the use of specific polymer solution for the preparation of a cross-linked hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A polyacrylate is obtained by radical polymerization of at least one acrylate monomer (Ac) in the presence of a polymeric photoinitiator. The polymeric photoinitiator is a co-polymer of at least one photoinitiator monomer (A) with at least one monomer (B), and optional additional monomers (C). Rapid polymerization of the acrylate monomer is provided. A method produces a polyacrylate using the polymeric photoinitiator as described, and a polymeric photoinitiator is used as the photoinitiator of radical polymerization of acrylate monomers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the manufacture of a gel precursor. The method comprising the steps of combining a polymeric photoinitiator of the general formula (I): with one or more gel-forming polymers and/or gel-forming monomers to form a matrix composition, and curing the matrix composition obtained in the first step by exposing it to UV radiation. The invention also relates to the gel precursor itself, a method for the manufacture of a hydrophilic gel, the hydrophilic gel itself and a medical device comprising or coated with said gel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sterilization of medical devices having hydrophilic coatings and more specific to sterilization of medical devices having a wetted hydrophilic coating using radiation. The medical devices sterilized according to the invention show, after sterilization using radiation, a prolonged water drain off time and reduced friction force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a medical device element by means of extrusion or injection moulding and to medical devices comprising such extruded or injection moulded medical device elements. The medical device elements (e.g. tubes, wires, lines, stents, catheters, guides, endodontic instruments, needles, trocars for e.g. laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic accessories, surgical instruments, guide wires) are characterized by a prefabricated shaped article or a thermoplastic substrate polymer having thereon a layer of a covalently cross-linked coating composition of a thermoplastic matrix polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. The method involves a coating composition comprising a thermoplastic matrix polymer, a hydrophilic polymer, and one or more photo-initiator(s), e.g. covalently linked to molecules of the thermoplastic matrix polymer and/or to molecules of the hydrophilic polymer.

Abstract: The application discloses a method for the preparation (by extruding, injection moulding or powder coating and subsequent cross-linking by irradiation with UV or visible light) of a medical device element involving a coating composition comprising: a) as the only polymer constituent(s), at least 50% by weight of poly(ethylene oxide)(s) optionally in combination with non-thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer(s), and b) low molecular weight scaffold(s) having a plurality of photo-initiator moieties covalently linked thereto and/or covalently incorporated therein, wherein the photo-initiator moieties constitute 0.01-20% by weight of the combined amount of the poly(ethylene oxide)(s), any non-thermoplastic hydrophilic polymers and the low molecular weight scaffolds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sterilisation of medical devices having hydrophilic coatings and more specific to sterilisation of medical devices having a wetted hydrophilic coating using radiation. The medical devices sterilised according to the invention show, after sterilisation using radiation, a prolonged water drain off time and reduced friction force.

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

Abstract: The present invention, which relates to the transfer of contact lenses in post hydration processing of the lenses. A lens transfer and insertion assembly removes contact lenses from lens hydration pallets, alters their spatial distribution, and deposits them into packaging elements. The lenses are transferred with fluid and retained on the transfer assembly by surface tension.

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.

Abstract: The present invention, which relates to post hydration processing of contact lenses and the packages into which the lenses are placed, includes several assemblies which are ideally suited to performing the various steps which are associated with post hydration processing.

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.