Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a hydrophilic coating on a biomedical article, which comprises treating the biomedical article for a time period of ?5 minutes with a solution of an organic solvent comprising a polyanionic compound with a number average molecular weight Mn of >5000, wherein the solution comprises less than 10% by weight of water, and wherein the solution is devoid of a cationic polymer. The coated biomedical articles obtainable by the process of the invention have desirable characteristics regarding adherence to the substrate, durability, hydrophilicity, wettability, biocompatibility and permeability and are thus especially useful in the field of ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for manufacturing silicone-hydrogel contact lenses. The improvement includes use of alternative use of hot water and room-temperature or cold water to in the steps of separating a mold into a male mold half and female mold half and dislodging (or removing or de-blocking) a lens from its adhering mold half after the lens being cured and before lens extraction.

Abstract: The invention provides a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having an LbL coating thereon that is not covalently attached to the lens and has good hydrophilicity, intactness and durability. The method comprises LbL coating at high temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for manufacturing silicone-hydrogel contact lenses. The improvement includes use of a vacuum force to transport lens molds to and from a hot water deblocking process.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for efficiently applying a coating to each of a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of ophthalmic lenses, molds for making ophthalmic lenses, and other medical devices, the method comprising dipping the plurality of objects into a coating bath containing a coating solution having a coating material; and creating with a means a convective current flow and thereby forcing a coating solution flowing over and under each of the plurality of ophthalmic lenses. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of objects are held in baskets which are pre-conditioned to have a first layer of polyelectrolytes and a second layer of aqueous solution or have a mixed layer of polyelectrolytes and aqueous solution on the surfaces of the baskets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of ophthalmic lenses, and particularly contact lenses, which minimizes damage of the lens in removal from the mold. The ophthalmic lens is produced in a mold having a male part and a female part that are placed in proximate relation to each other to create a lens-forming cavity. At least the female surface of the female part mold is preferably coated with plasma and is irradiated for a predetermined time such that the female surface and/or surface coating is at least partially cured. Once the female surface, and alternately the male surface and other surfaces of the mold, is at least partially cured, a curable lens-forming material is placed into the lens-forming cavity and cured to form an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for manufacturing silicone-hydrogel contact lenses. The improvement includes use of a hot water in the step of dislodging (or removing or de-blocking) from a mold after lens being cured and before lens extraction. Hot water can be used efficiently to dislodge a hydrophobic silicone-hydrogel lens from its adhering mold half and to substantially reduce the stickiness (or tackiness) of the surfaces of the hydrophobic silicone-hydrogel lens.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for plasma coating of optical lenses, particularly lenses made of silicone-containing polymer. The method of the invention comprising selectively depressurizing and pressurizing an entry hold chamber and an exit hold chamber while constantly maintaining a plasma gas in a coating chamber at a process pressure without depressurizing and pressurizing repeatedly the coating chamber, wherein the coating chamber is located between the entry hold chamber and the exit hold chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved process in which minimal force is required to separate mold halves so as to minimize lens damages resulted from the forced separation of mold halves.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for efficiently applying a coating to each of a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of ophthalmic lenses, molds for making ophthalmic lenses, and other medical devices, the method comprising dipping the plurality of objects into a coating bath containing a coating solution having a coating material; and creating with a means a convective current flow and thereby forcing a coating solution flowing over and under each of the plurality of ophthalmic lenses. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of objects are held in baskets which are pre-conditioned to have a first layer of polyelectrolytes and a second layer of aqueous solution or have a mixed layer of polyelectrolytes and aqueous solution on the surfaces of the baskets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a polymeric contact lens from a mold comprising lowering the temperature of the contact lens with a cryogenic material, such as liquid nitrogen, to a temperature and for a time sufficient for the lens to release from the mold without the application of external forces.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for plasma coating of an optical lens, particularly lenses made of silicone-containing polymer. A system of the invention comprises an entry chamber, a coating chamber downstream from the entry chamber, and an exit chamber downstream from the coating chamber. The coating chamber includes a pair of spaced apart electrodes disposed therein. A system of the invention is configured in a way so that a lens may enter, pass through and exit the system without requiring the coating chamber to be repeatedly pressurized and depressurized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved LbL-coating process for modifying the surface of a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens. An LbL coating on a contact lens, which is prepared according to the process of the invention, can have increased hydrophilicity characterized by an averaged contact angle of about 80 degree or less, preferably about 50 degrees or less, while maintaining the desired bulk properties such as oxygen permeability and ion permeability of lens material.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for plasma coating of an optical lens, particularly lenses made of silicone-containing polymer. A system of the invention comprises an entry chamber, a coating chamber downstream from the entry chamber, and an exit chamber downstream from the coating chamber. The coating chamber includes a pair of spaced apart electrodes disposed therein. A system of the invention is configured in a way so that a lens may enter, pass through and exit the system without requiring the coating chamber to be repeatedly pressurized and depressurized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a container for sterilizing a soft contact lens and for providing a sterilized storage package of the soft contact lens maintained in a packaging solution. By using the method and container of the invention, deformations of soft contact lenses during autoclave can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for efficiently applying a coating to each of a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of ophthalmic lenses, molds for making ophthalmic lenses, and other medical devices, the method comprising dipping the plurality of objects into a coating bath containing a coating solution having a coating material; and creating with a means a convective current flow and thereby forcing a coating solution flowing over and under each of the plurality of ophthalmic lenses. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of objects are held in baskets which are pre-conditioned to have a first layer of polyelectrolytes and a second layer of aqueous solution or have a mixed layer of polyelectrolytes and aqueous solution on the surfaces of the baskets.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved LbL-coating process for modifying the surface of a medical device, preferably an ophthalmic device, more preferably a contact lens. An LbL coating on a contact lens, which is prepared according to the process of the invention, can have increased hydrophilicity characterized by an averaged contact angle of about 80 degree or less, preferably about 50 degrees or less, while maintaining the desired bulk properties such as oxygen permeability and ion permeability of lens material.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a basket for holding ophthalmic lenses. A basket of the present invention has a lattice structure having a lens contacting side and an opposite lens non-contacting side, wherein the lens-contacting side of the lattice has a very sharp edge structure and the lens non-contacting side can be a normal solid surface to maintain the mechanical strength of the basket. A tray that comprises a plurality of baskets is another embodiment of the invention. In addition, the invention provides a stack assembly that comprises a plurality of trays each of which comprises a plurality of baskets.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for efficiently applying a coating to each of a plurality of objects selected from the group consisting of ophthalmic lenses, molds for making ophthalmic lenses, and other medical devices, the method comprising dipping the plurality of objects into a coating bath containing a coating solution having a coating material; and creating with a means a convective current flow and thereby forcing a coating solution flowing over and under each of the plurality of ophthalmic lenses. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of objects are held in baskets which are pre-conditioned to have a first layer of polyelectrolytes and a second layer of aqueous solution or have a mixed layer of polyelectrolytes and aqueous solution on the surfaces of the baskets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the production of ophthalmic lenses, and particularly contact lenses, which minimizes damage of the lens in removal from the mold. The ophthalmic lens is produced in a mold having a male part and a female part that are placed in proximate relation to each other to create a lens-forming cavity. At least the female surface of the female part mold is preferably coated with plasma and is irradiated for a predetermined time such that the female surface and/or surface coating is at least partially cured. Once the female surface, and alternately the male surface and other surfaces of the mold, is at least partially cured, a curable lens-forming material is placed into the lens-forming cavity and cured to form an ophthalmic lens.