Abstract: Reduced trauma medical implants and methods for their use are disclosed wherein at least a portion of the implant is formed of a stretch-crystallizable elastomeric material formulated to exhibit the property of stretch crystallization upon substantial elongation of the implant to form stable, small-incision implant configurations having at least one dimension substantially reduced for insertion through a surgical incision that is small relative to the incision size necessary to implant the unstretched implant. Exemplary embodiments include intraocular implants formed of optically clear, high refractive index stretch-crystallizable silicone elastomers formulated to stretch crystallize at near ambient temperatures upon elongations greater than or equal to 300% and to recover their original configuration immediately upon exposure to body temperature following implantation.

Abstract: A process for forming a surface modification on a polymer substrate and polymer substrates having such surface modifications. The process comprises the steps of absorbing a swelling monomer into the polymer substrate for a period of time in order to swell the polymer substrate; removing the swollen polymer from the swelling monomer; transferring the swollen polymer to a reaction mixture containing at least one functional monomer; polymerizing the functional monomer in the reaction mixture containing the swollen polymer substrate for a period of time; and removing the polymer from the reaction mixture. Because the surface modification produced by the process is a surface interpenetrating polymer network, the process is not sensitive to the reactive groups located on the surface of the polymer substrate. Further, the surface interpenetrating network bonds to the polymer substrate through caternary connections or other forms of chain entanglement and thus is quite stable.

Abstract: Novel biocompatible, high strength hydrogels useful in intraocular lenses are provided which are optically transparent, have high refractive indices and possess long term stability. The hydrogels are prepared from cross-linked copolymers of N-benzyl-N-methylacrylamide.

Abstract: A shape transformable medical implant or optical lens capable of substantial recoverable deformation in all dimensions is rapidly inserted and positioned into a target site such as an eye through an ejector having a small diameter, elongate, generally tubular outlet. The medical implant or optical lens is formed of a material having an elongation at break greater than 100% facilitating its ejection into the eye through a tubular outlet having an inner diameter of 3 mm or less. The ejector is provided with a precisely pressurizable chamber for the controlled displacement of the medical implant or optical lens through the small diameter, elongate, generally tubular outlet.

Abstract: Optically transparent, high refractive index hydrogels are provided. Expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses are fabricated from the hydrogels by heating them above their elastic deformation temperatures and deforming them into an elongated configuration having at least one reduced dimension suitable for insertion through a small surgical incision. The lenses are allowed to cool in this configuration and retain the deformed shape prior to surgical implantation. Following implantation the lenses hydrate into an enlarged elastic form reassuming the original lens configuration of full capsule size.

Abstract: Organosiloxane compositions curable to optically clear, high refractive index elastomers are disclosed. The cured compositions have superior post-folding high resolution recovery making them suitable for fabricating foldable intraocular lenses used in small-incision ophthalmic surgeries. The organosiloxane compositions include first and second vinyl terminated organosiloxanes differing in molecular weights, each containing diphenylsiloxane and dimethylsiloxane, and, in addition, fumed silica, a crosslinking reagent, a platinum containing catalyst, and optionally an ultraviolet absorbing compound.

Abstract: Random or block copolymers with (1-hydro-1-R-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene), poly(1-hydro-1-R-3,4 benzo-1-sila pent-3-ene), and disubstituted 1-silapent-3-ene repeating units of the general formula ##STR1## where R is hydrogen, an alkyl radical containing from one to four carbon atoms or phenyl, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, an alkyl radical containing from one to four carbon atoms, phenyl or a halogen and R.sup.2 is hydrogen, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are combined to form a phenyl ring, are prepared by the anionic ring opening polymerization of silacyclopent-3-enes or 2-silaindans with an organometallic base and cation coordinating ligand catalyst system or a metathesis ring opening catalyst system.

Abstract: Poly(1-hydro-1-R-1-sila-cis-pent-3-ene) and poly(1-hydro-1-R-3,4 benzo-1-sila pent-3-ene) polymers having repeating units of the general formula ##STR1## where R is hydrogen, an alkyl radical containing from one to four carbon atoms or phenyl, R.sup.1 is hydrogen, an alkyl radical containing from one to four carbon atoms, phenyl or a halogen and R.sup.2 is hydrogen, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are combined to form a phenyl ring, are prepared by the anionic ring opening polymerization of silacyclopent-3-enes or 2-silaindans with an organometallic base and cation coordinating ligand catalyst system.