Abstract: The present invention relates to ophthalmic formulations wherein a synergistic combination of three different classes of disinfectants (a multimeric biguanide compound, a quaternary ammonium compound and an antifungal/anti-acanthamoeba compound, in particular a combination of polyhexamethylene biguanide, Polyquaternium-1 and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine) enables the use of high concentrations of hyaluronate for providing better comfort and support of corneal health without compromising antimicrobial efficacy. The novel ophthalmic formulations support the use of more than 7.5 times higher concentrations of hyaluronate than are present in currently marketed multi-purpose disinfection solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymers made from a polymerization mixture comprising (a) one or more polymerizable monomers, which monomers are characterized as having at least one vinylic group and not containing an amino acid residue, (b) one or more not-functionalized side chain-linked amino acids, (c) one or more functionalized side chain-linked amino acids, (d) a free radical initiator and, optionally, (e) a chain-transfer-agent. It also relates to block copolymers comprising the same monomers. The invention also encompasses silicone hydrogel contact lenses coated with or comprising the latter copolymers and block copolymers as well methods for introducing the copolymers and block copolymers into silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copolymers made from a polymerization mixture comprising (a) one or more polymerizable monomers, which monomers are characterized as having at least one vinylic group and not containing an amino acid residue, (b) one or more not-functionalized side chain-linked amino acids, (c) one or more functionalized side chain-linked amino acids, (d) a free radical initiator and, optionally, (e) a chain-transfer-agent. It also relates to block copolymers comprising the same monomers. The invention also encompasses silicone hydrogel contact lenses coated with or comprising the latter copolymers and block copolymers as well methods for introducing the copolymers and block copolymers into silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to safety delivery systems for intracameral administration of an appropriate dose of cefuroxime subsequent to cataract and other eye surgery. A preferred embodiment of an cefuroxime safety delivery system according to the invention comprises (a) a perforable sterile vial sterile-filled with a measured amount of cefuroxime, (b) a reconstitution syringe with a male luer fitting sterile-filled with 0.1 ml of isotonic salt solution per mg cefuroxime in the perforable vial and a vial adapter with a female luer fitting or one or more needles with female luer fitting, and (c) one or more sterilized delivery syringes with male luer fitting, each delivery syringe being capable of holding at least 0.1 ml of ejectable liquid and containing a marking indicating a fill volume of 0.1 ml of ejectable liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to highly biocompatible or biophilic un-cross-linked or cross-linked polymers comprising one or more side-chain active acrylic amino acids of formula I. The invention further concerns various highly biocompatible, cross-linked co-polymers comprising one or more monomers of formula I, and one or more other polymerizable monomers. Uses of such polymers and co-polymers for the production of contact lenses, intraocular lenses, implants, wound healing slabs, additives for food and cosmetics, conductive plastics, spinnable fibers, and the like are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to highly biocompatible or biophilic un-cross-linked or cross-linked polymers comprising one or more side-chain active acrylic amino acids of formula I wherein: X is —NH(CH2)4—, —O—C6H4—CH2—, —OCH2—, —O—CH(CH3)—, —S—CH2—, —O-proline, and R is H or CH3; and wherein the polymer further includes a free radical initiator and, optionally, a cross-linking agent having a plurality of polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups. The invention further concerns various highly biocompatible, cross-linked co-polymers comprising one or more monomers of formula I, and one or more other polymerizable monomers. Uses of such polymers and co-polymers for the production of contact lenses, intraocular lenses, implants, wound healing slabs, additives for food and cosmetics, conductive plastics, spinnable fibers, and the like are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to highly biocompatible or biophilic un-cross-linked or cross-linked polymers comprising one or more side-chain active acrylic amino acids of formula I. The invention further concerns various highly biocompatible, cross-linked co-polymers comprising one or more monomers of formula I, and one or more other polymerizable monomers. Uses of such polymers and co-polymers for the production of contact lenses, intraocular lenses, implants, wound healing slabs, additives for food and cosmetics, conductive plastics, spinnable fibers, and the like are disclosed.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of preparing a biocompatible polymer comprising epsilon-linked L-lysine having free alpha-amino and carboxy functions. The invention further encompasses the resulting biocompatible polymer and articles made from the polymer, in particular contact and intraocular lenses.

Abstract: A thermo-responsive hydrogel, including a biocompatible monomer and/or polymer having a side chain-linked amino acid. The hydrogel is thermo-responsive at a physiological temperature, and can include, incorporate, or encapsulate a treatment agent, such as a drug composition, a biomolecule, and/or a nano-particle. The hydrogel is useful in delivering the treatment agent. The hydrogel is in a first physicochemical state for administration to a mammal. The hydrogel is thermo-responsive at a physiological temperature of the mammal, and changes to a second physicochemical state that is more solid than the first physicochemical state. In the second physicochemical state the thermo-responsive hydrogel releases the treatment agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to safety delivery systems for intracameral administration of an appropriate dose of cefuroxime subsequent to cataract and other eye surgery. A preferred embodiment of an cefuroxime safety delivery system according to the invention comprises (a) a perforable sterile vial sterile-filled with a measured amount of cefuroxime, (b) a reconstitution syringe with a male luer fitting sterile-filled with 0.1 ml of isotonic salt solution per mg cefuroxime in the perforable vial and a vial adapter with a female luer fitting or one or more needles with female luer fitting, and (c) one or more sterilized delivery syringes with male luer fitting, each delivery syringe being capable of holding at least 0.1 ml of ejectable liquid and containing a marking indicating a fill volume of 0.1 ml of ejectable liquid.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a method of preparing a biocompatible polymer comprising epsilon-linked L-lysine having free alpha-amino and carboxy functions. The invention further encompasses the resulting biocompatible polymer and articles made from the polymer, in particular contact and intraocular lenses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlash-free planetary gear unit comprising a sun gear, an internal gear and at least one planet gear which is in mesh with said sun gear and said internal gear and which is arranged on a planet carrier such that it is rotatable about a planetary axis of rotation, wherein the toothed planet gear has a plane of division which is oriented perpendicular to the planetary axis of rotation and by means of which the planet gear is divided into a first planet subgear and a second planet subgear, wherein the first planet subgear is preloaded relative to the second planet subgear by a spring bar arranged in these two planet subgears substantially parallel to the planetary axis of rotation, and wherein a plurality of spring bars is arranged around the planetary axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a back rest having a frame (2) and a lordosis support (6), with the following additional configuration: The lordosis support (6) comprises a pressure plate (9) that is essentially bend resistant in at least the transverse direction of the seat or the Y-direction, forms a supporting surface in the lordosis region of the back rest and is arranged between two side frame parts (3) of the frame (2); there is at least one holding element (5a, 5b) that extends between the side frame parts (3) with a length-variable adjustment section (21), which runs in the Y-direction and connects to the pressure plate (9), and is affixed there at fixing points (30) arranged opposite each other; in an inoperative position, the pressure plate (9) is arranged with a horizontal clearance (11) or a clearance in the X-direction behind the fixing points (30); there is a driving device with which the length of the adjustment section can be shortened as the horizontal clearance is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backlash-free planetary gear unit comprising a sun gear, an internal gear and at least one planet gear which is in mesh with said sun gear and said internal gear and which is arranged on a planet carrier such that it is rotatable about a planetary axis of rotation, wherein the toothed planet gear has a plane of division which is oriented perpendicular to the planetary axis of rotation and by means of which the planet gear is divided into a first planet subgear and a second planet subgear, wherein the first planet subgear is preloaded relative to the second planet subgear by a spring bar arranged in these two planet subgears substantially parallel to the planetary axis of rotation, and wherein a plurality of spring bars is arranged around the planetary axis of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a back rest having a frame (2) and a lordosis support (6), with the following additional configuration: The lordosis support (6) comprises a pressure plate (9) that is essentially bend resistant in at least the transverse direction of the seat or the Y-direction, forms a supporting surface in the lordosis region of the back rest and is arranged between two side frame parts (3) of the frame (2); there is at least one holding element (5a, 5b) that extends between the side frame parts (3) with a length-variable adjustment section (21), which runs in the Y-direction and connects to the pressure plate (9), and is affixed there at fixing points (30) arranged opposite each other; in an inoperative position, the pressure plate (9) is arranged with a horizontal clearance (11) or a clearance in the X-direction behind the fixing points (30); there is a driving device with which the length of the adjustment section can be shortened as the horizontal clearance is reduced.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support for a seat having a seat frame is disclosed, the adjustable lumbar support including a floating support plate for providing an amount of lumbar support to a lumbar region of a seat, the support plate having a front surface and a rear surface, the floating support plate being attached to the seat frame via springs, the provided lumbar support defining an apex. A first actuator assembly and a second actuator assembly are each operatively connected to the floating support plate via respective first and second cables, the first and second cables being spaced from each other substantially vertically within the floating support plate, the first and second actuator assemblies for selectively actuating the respective cables to selectively move the apex substantially vertically and substantially horizontally forward and back relative to the seat frame. A secondary support plate may be provided, and may be hingedly and/or floatingly mounted.

Abstract: Adaptors are disclosed for a seat assembly. The adaptors may be used for mounting a support extending substantially across a frame between first and second side members. The adaptor may be attachable to an opening in the frame. The support may include a hook having a bending distal end. The adaptor includes a non-metal body including a mounting structure configured for attaching the body to the opening in the frame, a passageway extending through the body for receiving the hook, and a seat within the body for securing the bending distal end of the hook to the adaptor. The mounting structure is configured so that when the support is loaded the adaptor is loaded by the hook substantially in compression. Alternatively, other designs with the loading in compression or tension are possible whereby the adaptor includes other combinations of features. Seat assemblies are also disclosed. The support may be a seat back or bottom, or a lumbar support. Methods of assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: To record times and intermediate times at sporting events, especially large and multi-discipline events, a method is proposed for immediately establishing the result, by which a large number of recording stations are positioned along the competition track which are connected to a central station, which evaluates the arriving information in a wireless or wire-bound manner, that every recording station has a frame antenna to absorb energy in the high-frequency range as well as to receive high-frequency signals and each athlete is handed a passive high-frequency transmitter with a personal code, which he holds in the recording station when the respective station is reached, whereby the recording station first re-charges the high-frequency transmitter via an antenna, afterwards the high-frequency transmitter passes the code to the recording station, the code is received by the recording station and is immediately passed with a further code from the recording station to the central station, where evaluation is car

Abstract: A contact lens cleaning solution containing an enzyme having proteolytic activity and a surfactant, and optionally also a chelating agent and urea, and a method of cleaning contact lenses utilizing this solution are described. The solution and method effectively remove deposits of proteinaceous material, mucins, lipids and calcium located either on or beneath the surface of the lens.

Abstract: Certain alkenyl diamines, the use of same for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses and preserving ophthalmic products, and associated ophthalmic compositions are described.