Abstract: Disclosed are hydrophobic, acrylic materials having both high refractive index and a high Abbe number. The materials may have an internal wetting agent, are well suited for use as implantable ophthalmic devices, and have a refractive index which may be edited through application of energy. When used for an intraocular lens, the high refractive index allows for a thin lens which compresses to allow a small incision size.

Abstract: Provided are a polymerizable composition for a dental material that can yield cured molded bodies having superior mechanical strength, a molded body obtained by curing the composition, and a dental material including the molded body. A polymerizable composition for a dental material, the polymerizable composition containing: one selected from the group consisting of allyl compound (A) and an oligomer of allyl compound (A); and (meth)acrylate compound (B).

Abstract: A method of molding a personal care product, a manifold, and a cosmetic product molding apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, the method of molding a personal care product comprises: moving a material through a temperature controlled manifold, opening one or more injection valves between the temperature controlled manifold and one or more mold cavities, injecting the material at a controlled pressure into the one or mold cavities in a closed position to form one or more articles, closing the one or more injection valves between the temperature controlled manifold and one or more mold cavities after injecting the material into the one or more mold cavities, opening the one or more mold cavities, and removing the one or more articles from the one or more mold cavities.

Abstract: Provided is a contact lens system that comprises: a contact lens containing a photosensitive chromophore and a package surrounding the contact lens. The photosensitive chromophore has at least one active wavelength between 250 and 400 nanometers and at least one active wavelength between 400 and 450 nanometers. The package has a transmittance of no more than 99 percent at each active wavelength.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation and utility of proliferous polymer compositions comprising repeating units derived from (a) a monomer comprising at least one functionalized or unfunctionalized acryloyl moiety and at least one lactam moiety, (b) an optional monomer comprising at least one double bond, and (c) a at least one cross-linker.

Abstract: A method for treating plantar fasciitis and foot pain utilizes a pre-cut sole support strap and an arch support strap formed of flexible woven material having an adhesive layer on an underside surface that are adhered to a foot individually or in combination. The sole strap is adhered to the skin surface along the sole from the ball of the foot to the heel and the back and lateral sides of the heel, and provides stability and support to the foot and, when subjected to forces induced during walking, absorbs tensile loads and stresses to prevent damage to the plantar fascia by reducing tensile stress carried by the plantar fascia. The arch support strap is adhered transversely over the sole support strap and arch of the foot to maintain the sole support strap in engagement with the sole of the foot and provide additional support and stability.

Abstract: Improved methods for preparing polyethylene glycol fumarate) are disclosed. Methods for chemically crosslinking or photocross-linking hydrophilic polyethylene glycol fumarate) with hydrophobic polymers such as poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) and poly(caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF) to form various hydrogels (FIG. 1) with controllable hydrophilicity are also disclosed. The hydrogels are useful in the fabrication of injectable and in-situ hardening scaffolds for application in skeletal reconstruction. An injectable material including the hydrogels may be useful in controlled drug release.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: An stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is provided. The stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively applied to the foot of a patient for providing relief from plantar fasciitis. A portion of the stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively attached to the bottom surface of the foot for reducing stress on the plantar fascia.

Abstract: An stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is provided. The stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively applied to the foot of a patient for providing relief from plantar fasciitis. A portion of the stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively attached to the bottom surface of the foot for reducing stress on the plantar fascia.

Abstract: An ultrathin sole strap with a pair of heel tabs and an ultrathin arch strap formed of flexible, non-resilient non-stretch woven microfiber material having an adhesive layer on an underside surface for adhesive application to a foot individually or in combination. The sole strap is adhered along the ball, the midfoot, and the heel of the foot, and the heel tabs are adhered to the back side of the heel in crossed relation. The sole strap functions as a tensile load bearing member in the region between the ball and the heel of the foot during the heel contact phase, weight bearing midstance phase, and propulsion phases of a walking gait cycle, to bear major tensile loads and stresses which would otherwise be absorbed primarily by the plantar fascia. The arch strap adhered transversely over the sole support strap and arch of the foot provides additional support and stability.

Abstract: The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymerized product formed of a polymerized monomer mixture comprising intentionally added water and at least one hydrophilic monomer wherein the monomer mix does not contain any silicon containing materials. The polymerized monomer mixture of the invention herein is useful in many biomaterial applications. Especially preferred is the use of the biomaterial as a hydrogel contact lens.

Abstract: A method of making a substantially fully copolymerized UV blocking hydrogel lens demonstrating sufficient blocking of UV light to meet at least FDA Class II specifications for UV blocking formed from a reaction mixture comprising at least NVP and one other comonomer and a free-radical polymerizable, substituted or unsubstituted, Bis O-hydroxy benzophenone is provided herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are low-tack, hydrophobic, high refractive index, acrylic materials. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers as principal device-forming monomers, a tack-reducing macromer additive and a glistening-reducing additive. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other implantable ophthalmic devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a hydrogel polymer having less than 100% haze, and distributed therein an oxygen enhancing effective amount of oxygen permeable particles having an oxygen permeability of at least about 100 barrer, average particle size less than about 5000 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed are low-tack, hydrophobic, high refractive index, acrylic materials. These materials, especially useful as intraocular lens materials, contain one or more aryl acrylic hydrophobic monomers as principal device-forming monomers, a tack-reducing macromer additive and a glistening-reducing additive. In addition to their use as intraocular lens materials, the present materials are also suitable for use in other implantable ophthalmic devices.

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: An stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is provided. The stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively applied to the foot of a patient for providing relief from plantar fasciitis. A portion of the stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively attached to the bottom surface of the foot for reducing stress on the plantar fascia.

Abstract: A new high refractive index, oxygen permeable contact lens material and method for making the same. The material comprises an alkyl acrylate, a fluoro acrylate, a silicone acrylate, a polymerizable vinyl monomer having a substituted aromatic ring and/or heterocyclic ring structure, a multifunctional acrylate, and a polymerizable vinyl monomer having a heterocyclic ring structure.

Abstract: The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to silicon-based prepolymers. The disclosed prepolymers exhibit satisfactory solubility in aqueous solutions or hydrophilic solutions and can overcome undesirable shrinkage, expansion, and related problems possessed by conventional silicone monomers and related conventional polymerization techniques by producing hydrogels from a crosslinkable prepolymer. Also disclosed are polymers and molded articles produced from the disclosed prepolymers, which attain a satisfactory oxygen permeability. Also disclosed are methods for producing the disclosed prepolymers. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: An ophthalmic device is disclosed that is a polymerization product of a monomeric mixture comprising (a) a major amount of a non-silicone-containing hydrophilic monomer; (b) a hydrophobic monomer; and (c) a crosslinking agent, wherein the ophthalmic device has an equilibrium water content of at least about 70 weight percent and further wherein the ophthalmic device has an evaporative dehydration barrier layer on the surface thereof. A method for the mitigation of evaporative corneal dehydration employing the high water content ophthalmic device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides cellulose hydrogels having one or more of the following properties: high water content, high transparency, high permeability, high biocompatibility, high tensile strength and an optimal thickness. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a cellulose hydrogel comprising: (i) contacting cellulose with a solvent to activate the cellulose; (ii) optionally removing the solvent from the activated cellulose; (iii) substantially dissolving the activated cellulose to form a solution; (iv) allowing the solution to gel; and optionally (v) drying the gel and rehydrating the gel. The cellulose hydrogel can have many uses, including uses as contact lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochromic composition comprising multifunctional (meth)acrylate-based monomers having two or more functional groups, a photochromic dye and an aromatic vinyl compound, in which the content of the aromatic vinyl compound is more than 30% by weight and 70% by weight or less, a photochromic film produced by using the same, and a method for producing the photochromic film.

Abstract: Novel crosslink agents are described that provide for the copolymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare materials for ophthalmic lenses. The new crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer.

Abstract: An stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is provided. The stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively applied to the foot of a patient for providing relief from plantar fasciitis. A portion of the stretch resistant plantar fascia support system is adhesively attached to the bottom surface of the foot for reducing stress on the plantar fascia.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to a method and a fluid composition for producing contact lenses with improved lens quality and with increased product yield. The method of the invention involves adding a Butylated Polyvinylpyrrolidone into a fluid composition including a lens-forming material in an amount sufficient to reduce an averaged mold separation force by at least about 20% in comparison with that without the Butylated Polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: A transparent gel is disclosed which has an interpenetrating polymer network of a copolymer containing a polysiloxane structure and a polycarbonate structure and a hydrophilic polymer obtained by polymerizing a hydrophilic monomer. The transparent gel is useful as a cultivation substrate, a container for storage and an ophthalmic material, comprising an easily synthesizable and purifiable silicon-containing resin, wherein a gel strength, transparency, oxygen permeability, birefringence and other characteristics are excellent.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polysiloxane macromonomer containing polyoxyethylene as a hydrophilic side chains pendant to a polysiloxane main chain for imparting transparency, oxygen permeability, and hydrophilic properties to a contact lens is disclosed. The properties of the material are controlled by regulating the length of the polysiloxane main chain, the length of the hydrophilic polyoxyethylene side chains, and the number of the side chains.

Abstract: The invention is related to a cost-effective method for making a silicone hydrogel contact lens having a crosslinked hydrophilic coating thereon. A method of the invention involves heating a silicone hydrogel contact lens in an aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble, highly branched, thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material having positively-charged azetidinium groups, to and at a temperature from about 40° C. to about 140° C. for a period of time sufficient to covalently attach the thermally-crosslinkable hydrophilic polymeric material onto the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens through covalent linkages each formed between one azetidinium group and one of the reactive functional groups on and/or near the surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, thereby forming a crosslinked hydrophilic coating on the silicone hydrogel contact lens. Such method can be advantageously implemented directly in a sealed lens package during autoclave.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer material having superior water wettability and lubricity, and enabling persistence of the same by allowing the surfactant to be retained by the polymer material so as not to be gradually released. The present invention is directed to a polymer material including: [I] a polymer having a constitutional unit derived from (A) a polymerizable compound having an acryloyloxy group and not having a silicon atom; and [II] a surfactant. The content of the surfactant [II] is preferably 0.05% by mass or greater and 1% by mass or less. The surfactant [II] is preferably a nonionic surfactant having a polyoxyethylene group.

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: The invention provide a new lens curing method for making hydrogel contact lenses. The new lens curing method is based on actinically-induced step-growth polymerization. The invention also provides hydrogel contact lenses prepared from the method of the invention and fluid compositions for making hydrogel contact lenses based on the new lens curing method. In addition, the invention provide prepolymers capable of undergoing actinically-induced step-growth polymerization to form hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical component is provided. The method comprises steps of providing a first liquid; providing a fluid, disposed above the first liquid, wherein an interface exists between the first liquid and the fluid; providing a polymer precursor at the interface; and solidifying the polymer precursor so as to form the optical component made by a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerizable water-soluble or alcohol-soluble ultraviolet absorber, which is represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 is H or C1˜5 alkyl; R2 is H, Cl, Br or I; R3 is H or methyl; and m each is an integer in the range from 3 to 12. The above-mentioned compounds are suitable for copolymerizing with one or more monomers to form copolymers so that the UV-light resistance of the copolymer can be efficiently promoted. For example, the polymer made by copolymerizing the above-mentioned compound with acrylate monomers can be applied to the production of optical medical materials, especially contact lenses or intraocular lenses.

Abstract: A synthetic route to polymers comprised of at least two monomers each with a very different reactivity ratio by using a corresponding crosslink agent for each monomer. Novel crosslink agents are described that provide for the copolymerization of at least one hydrophilic monomer with at least one lens monomer typically used to prepare materials for ophthalmic lenses. The new crosslink agents have a relatively high selectivity for the hydrophilic monomer and limited reactivity with the crosslink agent used to polymerize the lens monomer.

Abstract: This invention relates to comfortable ophthalmic devices and methods of producing such devices.

Abstract: Opthalmic devices, particularity intraocular lenses (IOL), with improved contrast sensitivity and methods of making same. In one aspect, blue light blocking chromophores (BLBC) are diffused into, e.g. an IOL lens body to create a BLBC gradient in the lens. Orange dyes are preferred BLBCs.

Abstract: The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.

Abstract: Polysiloxanes having vinyl or epoxy functionality. The polysiloxanes are used to form polymer-based materials having properties particularly suited for biomedical device applications. The polysiloxanes are of general formula I: wherein R is a C2-10 alkenyl, a C2-10 alkyl with an epoxy group or a C5-C7cycloalkyl with an epoxy group; R2, R3 and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 fluoroalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl and optionally substituted benzyl; A is —OH or —NHR5, wherein R5 is hydrogen or a C1-3 alkyl; and B is —R1-A or —R6, wherein R1 is a linking group having an alkylene group with 2 to 8 carbon atoms wherein the alkylene group optionally includes ether, urethane or ureido linkages; and R6 is selected from the group consisting of C1-4 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted benzyl; and m and n are integers with an m:n ratio from 30:1 to 3:1.

Abstract: Tinted ophthalmic devices, methods for their production, and non-crosslinked binding polymers used in their production are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Contact lenses, such as hydrogel contact lenses, are described. The present contact lenses include a lens body that is the reaction product of a polymerizable composition. The polymerizable composition includes one or more monomers and a crosslinker that crosslinks the one or more monomers during polymerization. The polymerization of the one or more monomers occurs in the presence of at least two forms of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, each of the at least two forms of polyvinyl pyrrolidone having a different average molecular weight. The at least two forms of polyvinyl pyrrolidone are associated with the first polymer component in the lens body such that a form of polyvinyl pyrrolidone is released from the lens body for at least eight hours based on in vitro release testing. The present invention also relates to packaging systems for use with such lenses and methods of producing such lenses.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tinted optical lenses and to methods of manufacturing tinted optical lens. This invention relates to a method for tinting optical lenses using an ink receptor film. The method of the invention allows a good transfer of the color to the substrate which represents the support of lens, a good final coloration of the substrate with good color homogeneity. The invention relate also to a method of tinting optical lenses, using the said ink receptor film which is applied onto a primer layer coating the substrate of the lens. The ink receptor material comprises an inorganic filler and an water-based emulsion. Preferably the ink receptor material also comprises a water-soluble polymer, a modified cationic polymer and a carrier able to accelerate the absorption of the ink into the substrate.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens suited for extended-wear periods of at least one day on the eye without a clinically significant amount of corneal swelling and without substantial wearer discomfort. The lens has a balance of oxygen permeability and ion or water permeability, with the ion or water permeability being sufficient to provide good on-eye movement, such that a good tear exchange occurs between the lens and the eye. A preferred lens is a copolymerization product of a oxyperm macromer and an ionoperm monomer. The invention encompasses extended wear contact lenses, which include a core having oxygen transmission and ion transmission pathways extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are ophthalmic device materials having improved light transmission characteristics. The materials contain a combination of certain UV absorbers and blue-light absorbing chromophores.

Abstract: An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) composition and a process for the manufacture of hydrogel contact lens using the invention material. The polymeric materials are formed by polymerization of: (1) an unsaturated alkyl(meth)acrylate or its derivatives such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as the principle monomer; (2) optionally vinyl containing comonomer(s) to enhance the resulting hydrogel water absorbing capability; (3) polymerizable multi-functional crosslinking agent(s); (4) an irradiation initiator and/or thermal initiator; (5) optionally other additives to impart the resulting hydrogel specific properties such as ultra-violet blocking ability and handling colors; in the presence of a soluble, hydrophilic IPN agent such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or poly-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (PEOX) with a specific molecular weight range.

Abstract: A process for producing intraocular lenses (IOLs) capable of absorbing blue light and ultraviolet light using photo curing. Intraocular lenses so produced block blue light and ultraviolet light from reaching the retina of an eye implanted with the IOL. By blocking blue light and ultraviolet light from reaching the retina, the IOL thereby prevents potential damage to the retina.

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.