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US4264493A
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Natural protein polymer hydrogels
Assignee: EssilorLuxottica SA
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Filing: 1979-09-14
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Granted: 1981-04-28
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Expires: 1999-09-14
Abstract
Abstract Natural protein hydrogel structures formed from natural proteins having molecular weights not exceeding 100,000 by dissolving the protein in an aqueous acidic solution, crosslinking the protein, and air drying to a moisture content not exceeding 10 percent. The air dried structure may or may not be bleached with an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent and thoroughly washed with water. The washed structure is dehydrated by treatment with a water-miscible organic solvent, washed with water, and redried to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent. The structures may be in the form of soft contact lenses, films, fibers, and prosthetics.
Inventors
- 👤 Orlando A. Battista
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K8/00; A61K8/02; A61K8/04; A61K8/042; A61K8/18; A61K8/30; A61K8/64; A61K8/645; A61K8/65; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/22; A61L15/32; A61L17/00; A61L17/06; A61L17/10; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/22; A61L27/36; A61Q; A61Q19/00; C; C08; C08L; C08L89/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B1/041; G02B1/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
The method of preparing a three-dimensional structure comprising forming an aqueous acidic solution of a non-crystalline, natural animal or vegetable protein polymer or mixtures thereof, the polymers having a low molecular weight not exceeding 100,000, heating the solution to a temperature of about 60° C., adding to and incorporating in the solution a crosslinking agent while maintaining the solution at a temperature of about 60° C., drying the solution to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent at a maximum temperature of about 35° C. or equivalent under vacuum to form a crosslinked polymer structure, subjecting the structure to thorough washing with water, subjecting the washed structure to dehydration by immersion in a water-miscible organic solvent, subjecting the structure to thorough washing with water and redrying the dehydrated structure to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
The method of preparing a three-dimensional structure comprising forming an aqueous acidic solution of a non-crystalline, natural animal or vegetable protein polymer or mixtures thereof, the polymers having a low molecular weight not exceeding 100,000, heating the solution to a temperature of about 60° C., adding to and incorporating in the solution a crosslinking agent while maintaining the solution at a temperature of about 60° C., drying the solution to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent at a maximum temperature of about 35° C. or equivalent under vacuum to form a crosslinked polymer structure, subjecting the structure to thorough washing with water, subjecting the washed structure to dehydration by immersion in a water-miscible organic solvent, subjecting the structure to thorough washing with water and redrying the dehydrated structure to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the aqueous acidic solution of the protein polymer has a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the protein polymer is an animal protein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the protein polymer is gelatin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the protein polymer is a vegetable protein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the aqueous acidic solution of the protein polymer is an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution of animal protein having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the aqueous acidic solution of the protein polymer is an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution of gelatin having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 and the amount of crosslinking agent is from about 0.5 to about 15 percent based on the weight of gelatin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the aqueous acidic solution of the protein polymer is an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution of gelatin having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5 the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde, and the amount of formaldehyde added is from 0.5 to 15 percent, based on the weight of the gelatin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein after the aqueous acidic solution of the polymer containing the crosslinking agent is dried to form the crosslinked polymer structure, the structure is immersed in an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent prior to the initial washing with water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the water-miscible organic solvent is ethanol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the aqueous acidic solution of the protein polymer is an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution of gelatin having a pH of from about 3.5 to 5.5, the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehye added is from 0.5 to 10 percent, based on the weight of the gelatin, after the solution is dried to form the crosslinked polymer structure, the structure is immersed in an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide prior to the initial washing with water and the water-miscible organic solvent is ethanol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the aqueous acidic solution of the protein polymer is an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution of an animal protein having a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5, a slurry of calcium phosphate is incorporated in the acidic solution prior to the addition of the crosslinking agent, the crosslinking agent is formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehyde added is from about 0.5 to about 15 percent, based on the weight of the animal protein and the water-miscible organic solvent is ethanol.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure having unique wet-strength properties comprising a crosslinked, non-crystalline natural animal or vegetable protein polymer or mixtures thereof, the polymers having a low molecular weight not exceeding 100,000 and formed by the method as defined in claim 1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 13 wherein the polymer is an animal protein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 13 wherein the polymer is gelatin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 13 wherein the polymer is a vegetable protein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 13 which includes calcium phosphate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A soft contact lens formed by the method of claim 1.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-04-27 | 1984-10-27 | 1985-04-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-27 | 1988-10-27 | 1989-04-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-27 | 1992-10-27 | 1993-04-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |