Abstract: The present invention provides an ophthalmic device, and method of use thereof, for an individual wearing an ophthalmic lens to increase ocular surface boundary lubrication. The invention device comprises an ophthalmic lens and a sacrificial mechanism disposed on the ophthalmic lens, wherein the sacrificial mechanism comprises a plurality of surface bound receptors, such as PRG4, hyaluronic acid, and DNA aptamers, that reversibly bound to a lubricating composition comprising a gel forming agent, a surfactant, or a combination thereof, effectively inhibiting or preventing protein and lipid adsorption on the surface of the lens, and mitigate shear stress and reduce the friction between the lens and the ocular surface of the individual in need.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microcapsule and a method of forming a microcapsule which may be used for oxygen sensitive materials. The microcapsule may comprise a shell encapsulating a core material having a surface, wherein the shell comprises a first organic or inorganic polyelectrolyte providing a plurality of cationic or anionic charges. This may then be followed by forming a first layer comprising an inorganic or organic polyelectrolyte on the microcapsule surface, where the polyelectrolyte of the first layer provides a plurality of cationic or anionic charges, opposite to the charge of the shell polyelectrolyte. This may then be followed by forming a second layer comprising a second organic or inorganic polyelectrolyte providing a plurality of cationic or anionic charges, opposite to the charge of the first layer polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses having ophthalmically acceptable surface wettabilities are obtained from pre-extracted polymerized silicone hydrogel contact lens products having relatively large amounts of removable or extractable materials. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses can be obtained from non-polar resin based contact lens molds and without surface treatments or an interpenetrating polymeric network of a polymeric wetting agent. Related lens products, polymerizable compositions, and methods are also described.

Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are produced without using volatile organic solvents to extract materials from the polymerized contact lens bodies, and instead are washed with aqueous liquids. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses so produced have ophthalmically wettable lens surfaces. The hydrated silicone hydrogel contact lenses have diameters that are at least 24% larger than the diameters of the silicone hydrogel contact lenses prior to hydration or washing.

Abstract: A multi(micro)particulate tablet is provided comprising microparticles which comprise a mechanically non-deformable core of active principle (AP). The tablet is formed from reservoir microcapsules with prolonged release of the AP, which are each made up of a non-deformable core comprising AP and covered with at least one film coating controlling release of the AP in vivo. The microcapsules have a particle size of between 50 and 1000 microns and are coated with at least one outer overcoating envelope comprising at least one deformable organic constituent having a melting point of between 40° C. and 120° C. The envelope allows the prolonged release of the AP in vivo without modification of the release profile when the microcapsules are compressed to form a tablet, even for microparticles not specifically formulated for compression.

Abstract: A drug delivery system is disclosed. The drug delivery system includes a recognitive polymeric hydrogel through which a drug is delivered by contacting biological tissue. The recognitive polymeric hydrogel is formed by using a bio-template, which is a drug or is structurally similar to the drug, functionalized monomers, preferably having complexing sites, and cross-linking monomers, which are copolymerized using a suitable initiator. The complexing sites of the recognitive polymeric hydrogel that is formed preferably mimics receptor sites of a target biological tissue, biological recognition, or biological mechanism of action. The system in accordance with an embodiment of the intention is a contact lens for delivering a drug through contact with an eye.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an implant coating that has a defined toxicity. The method is characterized by the following steps: i. a sol is produced from a biotoxic solution containing precious metal ions and a precursor solution for a titanium oxide; ii. an implant is coated by applying the sol in a sol-gel process; iii. the coating is pyrolyzed and sintered without admitting any light, the precious metal ion concentration in the dried coating ranging from 10 to 60 percent relative to the total weight of the dried coating; and iv. at least subareas of the coating produced without admitting any light are illuminated in order to reduce the toxicity of the dried coating to a predetermined measure.

Abstract: Ophthalmic conditions such as presbyopia, myopia, and astigmatism can be corrected by the use of a molding contact lens in combination with a pharmaceutical composition suitable for delivery to the eye. The molding contact lenses are preferably commercially available and are not specifically designed for orthokeratology. The agents in the pharmaceutical compositions such as hyaluronase allow the cornea of the eye to be molded in order to correct the refractive error of the eye. The contact lenses and the pharmaceutical composition induce a change in the radius of curvature of the anterior surface of the cornea, thereby correcting the refractive error of the eye. One advantage of the inventive technique is that the patient with his or her own individual visual needs guides the treatment until the patient near and far visual needs are met.

Abstract: A method of making a contact lens involves depositing on a portion of a molding surface of a contact lens mold a colorant composition comprising a pigment, a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and N-vinylpyrrolidinone, and a crosslinking monomer.

Abstract: This invention includes a wettable biomedical device containing a high molecular weight hydrophilic polymer and a hydroxyl-functionalized silicone-containing monomer.

Abstract: A contact lens product, a method and system for forming the contact lens product, and a method of using the contact lens product. The contact lens product includes a soft disposable contact lens loaded with a drug and the carriers which carry the drug. The lens has a mechanical and optical structure formed by the core polymer included within the lens. The contact lens product is configured to have the drug released from its carrier continuously into an eye of a mammal while the contact lens product is adhered to the eye of the mammal during a continuous period of time, the drug being configured to treat or prevent at least one adverse condition of the eye of the mammal during the continuous period of time. The mammal may be a human being or a veterinary animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for administering one or more active agents to the eye of a human or animal patient in need thereof, and more particularly to devices for application to the cornea which release active agent to the eye in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A drug delivery system is disclosed. The drug delivery system includes a recognitive polymeric hydrogel through which a drug is delivered by contacting biological tissue. The recognitive polymeric hydrogel is formed by using a bio-template, which is a drug or is structurally similar to the drug, functionalized monomers, preferably having complexing sites, and cross-linking monomers, which are copolymerized using a suitable initiator. The complexing sites of the recognitive polymeric hydrogel that is formed preferably mimics receptor sites of a target biological tissue, biological recognition, or biological mechanism of action. The system in accordance with an embodiment of the intention is a contact lens for delivering a drug through contact with an eye.

Abstract: The invention provide a new class of silicone-containing prepolymers containing ethylenically unsaturated groups and latent UV-activated free radical generating moieties. This class of silicone-containing prepolymer is capable of being actinically crosslinked in the presence of one or more hydrophilic vinylic monomers to form a silicone hydrogel material with a hydrophilic surface without post curing surface treatment. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from this class of silicone-containing prepolymers and a vinylic monomer having a latent UV-activated free radical generating moiety.

Abstract: An appliance for the delivery of at least one bioactive agent to the eye has at least one diffusion attenuator within a hydrophilic or silicone-hydrogel contact lens. The bioactive agent can be a drug or a nutraceutical. The diffusion attenuator can be a plurality of solid particles or phase separated liquid aggregates within at least one continuous phase of the lens where the diffusion attenuators promote a tortuous path for the diffusion of the bioactive agent to mediate the rate by which the bioactive agent diffuses from the contact lens. The diffusion attenuator can be homogeneously dispersed throughout at least one continuous phase of the lens to modify the diffusivity of the bioactive agent through that phase. The diffusion attenuator can have little or no affinity for the bioactive agent or can be miscible with the bioactive agent. The diffusion attenuator can be incorporated while forming the contact lens by polymerization of a monomer mixture containing the diffusion attenuator.

Abstract: A drug delivery system is disclosed. The drug delivery system includes a recognitive polymeric hydrogel through which a drug is delivered by contacting biological tissue. The recognitive polymeric hydrogel is formed using a bio-template, which is a drug or is structurally similar to the drug, functionalized monomers, preferably having complexing sites, and cross-linking monomers, which are copolymerized using a suitable initiator. The complexing sites of the recognitive polymeric hydrogel that is formed mimic receptor sites of a target biological tissue, biological recognition, or biological mechanism of action. A system in accordance with some embodiments is a contact lens for delivering a drug through contact with an eye. In some embodiments, the drug is an anti-microbial, such as an anti-fungal agent for treatment of large animals. In some embodiments, a comfort molecule hyaluronic acid (HA) is delivered.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of polymerizable surfactants as comonomers in forming ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses, intraocular lenses, corneal implants, etc.

Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are provided which have reduced modulus and contact angle properties, and which have acceptable wettabilities for use in daily wear and extended or continuous wear applications.

Abstract: Electrospun fibers are utilized to improve the mechanical characteristics of a contact lens reducing the weight and mechanical strength of the polymers from which the lenses are typically formed. Electrospun fibers are also utilized as a drug delivery system, both through direct use in the eye and by inclusion of the fibers in a contact lens. The fibers are loaded with therapeutic drugs by a variety of methods and processed by coating and cross-linking the fibers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a drug-carrying contact lens and a method for fabricating the same. The drug-carrying contact lens comprises a contact lens containing at least one amphiphatic hybrid nanocarrier carrying drug molecules. According to the heat or light sensitivity of the drug molecule, the present invention respectively fabricates an encapsulation-type drug-carrying contact lens and a drug-soaking type drug-carrying contact lens. The present invention uses a highly-biocompatible amphiphatic hybrid nanocarriers having superior drug encapsulation capability to wrap the drug molecules. Thereby, the drug molecules are uniformly distributed in the contact lens and can be gradually and locally released to the eye of the user wearing the contact lens. Therefore, the present invention can prevent or cure ocular diseases with the loss and side effects of the drug being reduced.

Abstract: A drug delivery system is disclosed. The drug delivery system includes a recognitive polymeric hydrogel through which a drug is delivered by contacting biological tissue. The recognitive polymeric hydrogel is formed using a bio-template, which is a drug or is structurally similar to the drug, functionalized monomers, preferably having complexing sites, and cross-linking monomers, which are copolymerized using a suitable initiator. The complexing sites of the recognitive polymeric hydrogel that is formed preferably mimics receptor sites of a target biological tissue, biological recognition, or biological mechanism of action. The system in accordance with an embodiment of the intention is a contact lens for delivering a drug through contact with an eye.

Abstract: A drug delivery system is disclosed. The drug delivery system includes a recognitive polymeric hydrogel through which a drug is delivered by contacting biological tissue. The recognitive polymeric hydrogel is formed using a bio-template, which is a drug or is structurally similar to the drug, functionalized monomers, preferably having complexing sites, and cross-linking monomers, which are copolymerized using a suitable initiator. The complexing sites of the recognitive polymeric hydrogel that is formed preferably mimic receptor sites of a target biological tissue, biological recognition, or biological mechanism of action. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is a contact lens for delivering a drug through contact with an eye. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the drug is an anti-microbial, such as an anti-fungal agent for treatment of large animals, such as horses.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods utilizing low concentrations of selective ?-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, preferably, brimonidine. The invention provides contact lens solutions and methods of using these solutions for pre-soaking contact lenses to achieve reduction of redness and/or increase in whitening of eyes. The invention also provides compositions including a selective ?-2 adrenergic receptor agonist in a combination with an ocular medical device, including but not limited to a bandage lens. The invention also provides combination compositions including a selective ?-2 adrenergic receptor agonist and another active agent for the treatment of an ocular condition, including but not limited to glaucoma and/or a condition associated with eye redness.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a plurality of nanoceria particles, a sufficient amount of at least one inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II associated with said plurality of nanoceria particles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing said plurality of nanoceria particles with associated inhibitor. One preferred inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II comprises 4-carboxybenzene sulfonamide. The disclosed composition is useful in treatment of glaucoma.

Abstract: A jig and a cooling fluid injection tool are provided for use in the correction of corneal shape of an eyeball. Correction of the eyeball takes place while the cornea is warmed. The jig includes a shape retention part of a sucking disc configuration having an inner surface side that contacts the eyeball and a grip part formed on an outer surface side of the shape retention part. An inner surface-sided cornea contacting section of the shape retention part is flattened and a cooling fluid injection hole passing through the grip part is formed in the center of the shape retention part with a diameter large enough for a wearer to see outside.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a medical device, preferably a contact lens, having an antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating on a medical device, wherein the antimicrobial metal-containing LbL coating comprises at least one layer of a negatively charged polyionic material having —COOAg groups and/or silver nanoparticles formed by reducing Ag+ ions associated with the —COO? groups of the negatively charged polyionic material. In addition, the present invention provides a medical device prepared according to a method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing an eye lens material having a process in which a phosphorylcholine group-containing chemical compound represented by the following formula (1) is reacted and covalently bonded onto the surface of an eye lens material wherein a chemical compound having an end amino group is introduced to said eye lens material and then the chemical compound represented by the following formula (2) or (3) is introduced through said chemical compound having an end amino group. The object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a contact lens that prevents protein adsorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wettable silicone hydrogels comprising the reaction product of at least one siloxane containing component and at least one reactive, hydrophilic polymeric internal wetting agent. The present invention further relates to silicone hydrogel contact lenses comprising at least one oxygen permeable component, and an amount of reactive, hydrophilic polymeric internal wetting agent sufficient to impart wettability to said device.

Abstract: A drug delivery system comprising a contact lens having dispersed therein as nanoparticles having a particle size less than about 200 nm, an ophthalmic drug nanoencapsulated in a material from which said ophthalmic drug is capable of diffusion into and migration through said contact lens and into the post-lens tear film when said contact lens is placed on the eye.

Abstract: Disclosed are soft, high refractive index device materials having improved strength. The materials contain a polystyrene macromer.

Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses having ophthalmically acceptable surface wettabilities are obtained from pre-extracted polymerized silicone hydrogel contact lens products having relatively large amounts of removable or extractable materials. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses can be obtained from non-polar resin based contact lens molds and without surface treatments or an interpenetrating polymeric network of a polymeric wetting agent. Related lens products, polymerizable compositions, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system and method of enhancing the antimicrobial and biofilm-resistant efficacy of surfaces that have cationic polyelectrolytes nonleachably bound thereto in order to impart antimicrobial activity to the surface. The system for enhancing antimicrobial efficacy involves brushing, dipping, wiping, spraying, or storing the surface in a solution containing citrate ion. The method involves treatment of the surface with a solution which enhances the antimicrobial and biofilm-resistant efficacy of the surface, and which prevents a loss of the antimicrobial properties of the surface which may occur over time. Preferably, the enhancement agent is citrate ion and the cationic polyelectrolyte is poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), also known as polyDADMAC. The system is particularly beneficial for surfaces of articles such as contact lenses.

Abstract: This invention provides a polymeric drug delivery system including a hydrogel containing one or more drugs for the treatment of a posterior segment disease. Allowing passive transference of this drug from a dilute solution into the hydrogel produces the delivery system. The hydrogel, when placed in contact with the eye, delivers the drug. The delivery of the drug is sustained over an extended period of time, which is of particular utility in the eye, which is periodically flushed with tears. This sustained delivery accelerates the treatment process while avoiding potential damaging effects of localized delivery of high concentrations of compounds, e.g., from eye drops.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water soluble quaternized chitosan derivatives which form hydrogel matrix with broad antimicrobial properties for the protection and coating of medical device. Hydrogel is attractive as an antimicrobial coating since its hydrophilicity intrinsically prevents the reversible nonspecific attachment of microbes. In order to achieve hydrogel formation, quaternized chitosan can be grafted with polymerizable groups, especially photocrosslinkable groups, such as methacrylates, PEG derivatives and be converted into hydrogels through a thermal or UV polymerization process. Hydrogels are hydrated cross-linked polymeric systems that contain water in an equilibrium state forming cushion water shield.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of polymerizable surfactants as comonomers in forming ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses, intraocular lenses, corneal implants, etc.

Abstract: A drug delivery system is disclosed. The drug delivery system includes a recognitive polymeric hydrogel through which a drug is delivered by contacting biological tissue. The recognitive polymeric hydrogel is formed by using a bio-template, which is a drug or is structurally similar to the drug, functionalized monomers, preferably having complexing sites, and cross-linking monomers, which are copolymerized using a suitable initiator. The complexing sites of the recognitive polymeric hydrogel that is formed preferably mimics receptor sites of a target biological tissue, biological recognition, or biological mechanism of action. The system in accordance with an embodiment of the intention is a contact lens for delivering a drug through contact with an eye.

Abstract: A method for making an article comprising a core material and a coating thereon, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing the core material; (b) applying one or more layers of a crosslinkable polycationic material, wherein the polycationic material is a reaction product of: (i) an epoxide of formula (I) wherein X equals bromo, chloro, iodo, or cyano, and R1, R2, R3, R4, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C1-C6-alkyl, and linear or branched C1-C6-alkyl which is substituted with halogen, and (ii) a polymer having repeating units comprising one or more secondary or tertiary amine group(s); (c) applying one or more layers of a polyanionic material; and (d) cross-linking the layers of polyelectrolytes formed by steps (b) and (c).

Abstract: The use of nanoparticles of inorganic materials (e.g., synthetic smectite clays) in ophthalmic compositions is described. The nanoparticles are utilized as biologically inert carriers or depots for biocides. The nanoparticles are particularly useful in preventing or reducing the uptake of biocides from ophthalmic compositions by contact lenses, when the compositions are applied to the lenses.

Abstract: Electrospun fibers are utilized to improve the mechanical characteristics of a contact lens reducing the weight and mechanical strength of the polymers from which the lenses are typically formed. Electrospun fibers are also utilized as a drug delivery system, both through direct use in the eye and by inclusion of the fibers in a contact lens. The fibers are loaded with therapeutic drugs by a variety of methods and processed by coating and cross-linking the fibers.

Abstract: A bioactive agent delivery system comprising an optically transparent contact lens having dispersed therein (1) an ophthalmically bioactive agent capable of diffusion through the contact lens and into the post-lens tear film when placed on the eye and (2) associated with the bioactive agent, an ophthalmically compatible polymeric surfactant in an amount sufficient to slow the rate of migration of the bioactive agent through the contact lens.

Abstract: An ophthalmically bioactive agent delivery system comprising a contact lens having dispersed therein as an oil-in-water microemulsion, an ophthalmically bioactive agent encapsulated in the oil phase, the oil phase comprising a material from which the agent VAN diffuse into and migrate through the contact lens into the post-lens tear film when the contact lens is placed on the eye and wherein the microemulsion is stabilized by the presence of a surfactant with sufficient packing at the oil-water interface to attenuate the rate of diffusion into and migration of agent through the contact lens.

Abstract: Provided are surface modified contact lenses formed from one or more fumaric- or itaconic-containing prepolymers having reactive functionality that is complimentary to surface modifying polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lens care kit for disinfecting and cleaning contact lenses. The lens care kit of the invention allows customers to visually identify when their lenses are disinfected, clean, and ready to wear. The invention is relied on color change to indicate the readiness of disinfection and cleaning of contact lenses.

Abstract: Ophthalmic stabilized lenses have improved rotational properties by treating them with a wetting agent after they are at least initially polymerized.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that medical devices, such as but not limited to contact lenses, can be made having a coating made at least in part using printing technologies to provide drug storage and drug release structures. The coating preferably includes at least one drug reservoir layer and a least one barrier layer, and can include structures, such as but not limited to capillary structures, that alone or in combination modulate the release of the drug from the coating. One aspect of the present invention is a medical device that incorporates a drug in at least one coating. A second aspect of the present invention is a method of making a medical device that incorporates a drug in at least one coating. A third aspect of the present invention is a method of using a medical device of the present invention to treat or prevent a disease, disorder or condition.

Abstract: This invention relates to ophthalmic devices and methods for their production where the ophthalmic device contain a polymer and at least one heterocyclic compound comprising at least one N—Cl and/or N—Br bond.

Abstract: A bioactive agent delivery system comprising an optically transparent contact lens having dispersed therein (1) an ophthalmically bioactive agent capable of diffusion through the contact lens and into the post-lens tear film when placed on the eye and (2) associated with the bioactive agent, an ophthalmically compatible polymeric surfactant in an amount sufficient to slow the rate of migration of the bioactive agent through the contact lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for the treatment or prevention and of proliferative eye diseases including but not limited to: age related macular degeneration associated proliferative retinopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, posterior capsular opacification, scaring and fibrosis after glaucoma filtration surgery, uveal melanoma, and retinoblastoma. The method comprises contacting cells in the eye by means of intra-ocular injection or infusion, with a drug that irreversibly inhibits cellular proliferation without causing extensive tissue necrosis or cytotoxicity. In a preferred embodiment the drug is bizelesin.

Abstract: The invention relates to acrylic hydrogels with pendant cyclodextrins, the preparation and application thereof as release systems and components of contact lenses. The method for obtaining acrylic hydrogels with pendant cyclodextrins is characterized in that the hydrogels are formed by a polymer lattice obtained by polymerization of mono- and bifunctional acrylic or methacrylic monomers and monomers having glycidyl groups in their structure, to which cyclodextrin units are covalently bound once formed; and the use and applications of the compositions in the preparation of contact lenses with the capacity for incorporating drugs, active substances or demulcents useful in the treatment of pathological or physiological conditions, in the production of topical, transdermal or transmucosal release systems for medicinal products or active substances, and in the preparation of cosmetics.

Abstract: A collagen corneal shield for placement on the outer surface of the eye for protection of the eye, for delivery of drugs to the eye, or for both protection and drug delivery to the eye, functions without obstructing vision. The shield has a first, central portion comprising non-crosslinked collagen capable of rapid decomposition in the presence of enzymes in the tears, and a second portion comprising crosslinked collagen which decomposes slowly in the presence of enzymes in the tears so that it remains on the eye for a period of time longer than the first portion. The first portion of the shield covers the central portion of the cornea and the second portion of the shield extends outward from the first portion. As a result of decomposition of the first portion the corneal shield becomes a ring or washer shape around the central portion and at least a portion of the cornea is no longer covered by the shield so that vision is not obstructed.