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 this is quite stable.

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 this is quite stable.

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: A serving utensil, which in a preferred embodiment is in the form of an ice cream scoop that can be heated in a conventional or home microwave oven to facilitate scooping a frozen confection from a container. The serving utensil includes bowl portion formed from a substantially rigid material that becomes heated when subjected to microwave radiation in a conventional microwave oven and handle portion, attached to the bowl portion, formed from a substantially rigid material that substantially restricts the absorption of microwave energy. The handle portion includes a recess in its upper side approximate the bowl portion adapted to receive a user's thumb therein and a transverse groove in its underside, longitudinally aligned with the recess and adapted to receive a user's index finger therein.

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: A method for serving a frozen confection includes the steps of: (a) providing a utensil including a bowl portion formed from a substantially rigid material that becomes heated when subjected to microwave radiation in a conventional microwave oven and including a handle portion attached to the bowl portion, formed from a substantially rigid material that substantially restricts the absorption of microwave energy; (b) subjecting the utensil to microwave energy for a predetermined period of time, so that the bowl portion becomes heated; and (c) manually gripping the handle portion of the utensil to scoop the frozen confection with the heated bowl portion.

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 utensil for use, for example, in the home or in restaurants, with a microwave oven for heating food preparation or service vessels (such as a dinner plate) and the food in such vessels. The utensil includes a matrix material and a microwave absorptive material. The utensil may also be configured for direct conductive heat transfer heating of food into which the utensil is immersed. Alternatively, an appliance for applying therapeutic dry or moist heat to the human body may use pellets of the matrix and microwave absorptive material in a flexible moisture and heat transmissive body.

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: Non-hydrolyzable, hydrophilic, heterocyclic cross-linking agents for cross-linking vinyl comonomers are provided. The cross-linked copolymers form optically transparent, high water content, and high refractive index hydrogels having long term stability which are useful as intraocular lenses and superabsorbents. The crosslinkers are selected from 4,6 divinyl pyrimidine, 2,5 divinyl pyrazine, 1,4 divinyl imidazole and 1,5 divinyl imidazole.

Abstract: Expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses are heated above their elastic deformation temperatures and deformed 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.