Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly contacting an article with a treatment solution. Preferred embodiments are methods of uniformly tinting of contact lenses or uniformly surface modifying contact lenses. The method involves suspending the lens in the treatment solution by application of fluid flow, preferably sinusoidal or pulsed, in a direction opposite the stagnant force (i.e., sum of buoyancy and gravity forces) on the article. The fluid flow prevents the lens from contacting the container structure for periods sufficient to cause non-uniform treatment conditions, while continuously mixing the treatment solution to maintain uniform concentrations throughout.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for uniformly contacting an article with a treatment solution. Preferred embodiments are methods of uniformly tinting of contact lenses or uniformly surface modifying contact lenses. The method involves suspending the lens in the treatment solution by application of fluid flow, preferably sinusoidal or pulsed, in a direction opposite the stagnant force (i.e., sum of buoyancy and gravity forces) on the article. The fluid flow prevents the lens from contacting the container structure for periods sufficient to cause non-uniform treatment conditions, while continuously mixing the treatment solution to maintain uniform concentrations throughout.

Abstract: Methods of deblocking a polymeric article from a mold and/or removing undesirable materials from a polymeric article by applying supercritical fluids to the polymeric article. A preferred process is the treatment of ophthalmic lenses, such as contact lenses. Supercritical fluid, composed primarily of carbon dioxide, is applied to a contact lens affixed to a mold subsequent to the polymerization step. The application of supercritical fluid (SCF) causes the lens to efficiently and consistently separate from the mold, removes undesirable materials such as unreacted monomer, oligomers, or residual solvents from the lens core, and/or cleans the lens surface of adhered debris.