Abstract: The present invention describes novel statistical copolymers and the preparation and possible uses thereof. Copolymers are described that are water-soluble and cross-linkable and that comprise the copolymerization product of a monomer mixture consisting substantially of a vinyl lactam (a) and at least one further vinyl monomer (b) of a different type selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic, hydrophilic and functional vinyl monomers, wherein the monomers are present in the copolymer in the form of statistically distributed building blocks, and, if a functional vinyl monomer is present as a building block in the copolymer, that building block is, where appropriate, modified with a reactive vinyl monomer (c), the reactive vinyl monomer (c) being linked to a building block of a functional vinyl monomer with retention of its vinylic group and with the formation of a covalent bond.

Abstract: Efficient and consistent processes for manufacturing moldings, especially ophthalmic lenses such as contact lenses. The processes comprises a series of improvements, including improvements in the areas of conditions for dispensing liquid prepolymer into lens molds, male and female mold mating, reusable molds, mold cleaning, lens separation from molds (demolding), lens handling, and in-line inspection. Cyclic series of processing steps are also disclosed. Additionally, an improved molding tool is disclosed, with the molding tool including a male mold housing and a female mold housing, each of which have disposed therein a plurality of mold halves.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel statistical copolymers and the preparation and possible uses thereof. Copolymers are described that are water-soluble and cross-linkable and that comprise the copolymerization product of a monomer mixture consisting substantially of a vinyl lactam (a) and at least one further vinyl monomer (b) of a different type selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic, hydrophilic and functional vinyl monomers, wherein the monomers are present in the copolymer in the form of statistically distributed building blocks, and, if a functional vinyl monomer is present as a building block in the copolymer, that building block is, where appropriate, modified with a reactive vinyl monomer (c), the reactive vinyl monomer (c) being linked to a building block of a functional vinyl monomer with retention of its vinylic group and with the formation of a covalent bond.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially optical lenses, specifically contact lenses (CL), a starting material that is crosslinkable by the impingement of suitable energy is introduced into a mould (1) having a cavity (15), which mould is at least partially permeable to the energy concerned. The starting material is introduced into the cavity in a still at least partially uncrosslinked state, the mould cavity determining the shape of the moulding (CL) to be produced. By means of impingement of the energy concerned, the starting material is crosslinked to an extent sufficient for it to be possible for the moulding (CL) to be released from the mould. The filling of the mould cavity is carried out in the starting material that is still at least partially in the uncrosslinked state.

Abstract: The present invention describes novel statistical copolymers and the preparation and possible uses thereof. Copolymers are described that are water-soluble and cross-linkable and that comprise the copolymerisation product of a monomer mixture consisting substantially of a vinyl lactam (a) and at least one further vinyl monomer (b) of a different type selected from the group consisting of hydrophobic, hydrophilic and functional vinyl monomers, wherein the monomers are present in the copolymer in the form of statistically distributed building blocks, and, if a functional vinyl monomer is present as a building block in the copolymer, that building block is, where appropriate, modified with a reactive vinyl monomer (c), the reactive vinyl monomer (c) being linked to a building block of a functional vinyl monomer with retention of its vinylic group and with the formation of a covalent bond.

Abstract: The blister pack comprises a base portion and a cover layer. The base portion comprises a hollow chamber that contains a soft hydrophilic contact lens and a sterile aqueous preserving solution, and a substantially flat flange that extends right round the outside of the hollow chamber. The cover layer is releasably sealed to the flange in a sealing zone that extends right round the circumference of the hollow chamber. The flange comprises a grip region that extends from one side of the hollow chamber beyond the sealing zone and is covered by a corresponding grip region of the cover layer but is not sealed thereto.

Abstract: In order to remove impurities and contaminations adhering to the surfaces of an optical component, especially to the front and rear faces of a contact lens, electromagnetic radiation is caused to act on the optical component. Using that electromagnetic radiation, preferably the light of an excimer laser the wavelength, energy density and intensity of which are adjustable, the adherent impurities and any microorganisms present are killed, deactivated and removed photo-ablatively.

Abstract: A process for producing a contact lens and a contact lens comprising a crosslinked lipophilised cyclodextrin derivative, wherein each repeating cyclodextrin unit includes at least one polysiloxane group. The process for producing the contact lens includes the reaction of a cyclodextrin with a polysiloxane.

Abstract: The invention relates to contact lenses made from a copolymer comprising units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently of the other hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, organosilylalkyl or organosilyl, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each hydrogen or, taken together, are a divalent alkylene radical containing up to 8 carbon atoms, and A is a divalent substituted 1,2-ethylene radical which is derived from a copolymerisable vinyl monomer by virtue of the vinyl double bond being replaced with a single bond. The invention further relates to the copolymers themselves, to the use thereof for making contact lenses, and to a process for making contact lenses from such copolymers.

Abstract: Esters of .alpha.-fluoroacrylic acid are accessible by hydrolysis of an .alpha.-hydroxymethyl-.alpha.-fluoromalonic acid ester, decarboxylation and dehydration of the hydrolysis product and subsequent esterification of the resulting .alpha.-fluoroacrylic acid with an alcohol. The esters are polymerizable and are suitable for use as a starting material for preparing fluoropolymers which in turn are usable as materials for manufacturing transparent articles. The polymers are high-molecular and non-crystalline and have softening temperatures of above 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A transparent thermoplastic molding compound consisting of 40 to 90% by weight of units derived from tetrafluoroethylene, and 60 to 10% by weight of units derived from compounds of formula I or II:CF.sub.2 .dbd.CF--O--(CF.sub.2 --CF(CF.sub.3)--O).sub.m --(CF.sub.2).sub.n --CF.sub.3 (I)CF.sub.2 .dbd.CF--O--(CF.sub.2 --CF(CF.sub.3)--O).sub.p --(CF.sub.2).sub.q --COO--R (II)is particularly suitable for manufacturing the sheath of beam waveguides whose core has a higher transparency than polymethyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding compound consisting of units of 2,3-difluoroacrylic acid esters or their deuterated derivatives, or containing units of these esters, is distinguished by a high glass transition temperature and a high transparency. It is therefore suitable for the manufacture of beam waveguides for long transmission distances and high continuous use temperatures.

Abstract: A detector for detecting invisible radiation and charged particles is composed of at least one radiation-absorbing panel and at least one optical waveguide arranged parallel to the surface of said panel and containing a fluorescent dyestuff. The luminescent light produced in the panel by the absorbed radiation is converted into a fluorescent radiation in the optical waveguide conducted to a photosensitive semiconductor component by total reflection and measured at that point.

Abstract: Certain esters of .alpha.-fluoroacrylic acid are accessible by hydrolyzing .alpha.-hydroxymethyl .alpha.-fluoromalonic acid esters and subsequently decarboxylating the hydrolysis product. The phenyl .alpha.-fluoroacrylates which are substituted on the phenyl radical can be prepared by hydroxymethylating dimethyl .alpha.-fluoromalonate, decarboxylating and dehydrating the resuiting dimethyl .alpha.-hydroxymethyl-.alpha.-fluoromalonate and esterifying the resuiting .alpha.-fluoroacrylic acid with substituted phenols. The substituted phenyl .alpha.-fluoroacrylates are colorless liquids or colorless solids which can be polymerized. They are suitable for use as a starting material for the preparation of fluorine polymers.

Abstract: Esters of .alpha.-fluoroacrylic acid are accessible by hydrolysis of an .alpha.-hydroxymethyl-.alpha.-fluoromalonic acid ester, decarboxylation and dehydration of the hydrolysis product and subsequent esterification of the resulting .alpha.-fluoroacrylic acid with an alcohol. The esters are polymerizable and are suitable for use as a starting material for preparing fluoropolymers which in turn are usable as materials for manufacturing transparent articles. The polymers are high-molecular and non-crystalline and have softening temperatures of above 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Transparent thermoplastic molding compound made of 2,3-difluoroacrylic acid esters. A thermoplastic molding compound consisting of units of 2,3-difluoroacrylic acid esters or their deuterated derivatives, or containing units of these esters, is distinguished by a high glass transition temperature and a high transparency. It is therefore suitable for the manufacture of beam waveguides for long transmission distances and high continuous use temperatures.

Abstract: A contact lens that consists of gas-permeable, especially oxygen-permeable, lens material and has a supporting edge which rests on the sclera and is covered at least partially by both eyelids and absorbs the forces acting on the lens as the lid closes, the rear face of the lens in the region of the cornea being spaced from the surface of the cornea. By ensuring the exchange of lachrymal fluid between the contact lens and the surface of the eye, metabolic products are transported away and the supply of oxygen to the cornea is assisted. For that purpose, channels may be provided on the lens or the lens may be caused to rotate.

Abstract: An optical waveguide having a core/sheath structure whose sheath comprises a terpolymer based on vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluorpropylene, is suitable for transmission paths of ca. 10 to 100 m an can also be used at a temperature of above 100.degree. C. without significant reduction of the transmission path.