US4416814A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Protein polymer hydrogels
Assignee: EssilorLuxottica SA
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Filing: 1982-09-10
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Granted: 1983-11-22
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Expires: 2002-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Protein hydrogel structures formed from natural proteins having an average molecular weight of about 100,000 or less by dissolving the protein in an aqueous acidic solution, subjecting the protein to vapor phase crosslinking with at least two crosslinking agents, and air drying to a moisture content not exceeding 10 percent. The drying may be effected by treatment with a water-miscible organic solvent or by air drying. 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 16:25
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; A61L27/3683; A61Q; A61Q19/00; B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/02; C; C08; C08L; C08L89/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/92
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of preparing a three-dimensional structure comprising preparing an aqueous acidic solution of a non-crystalline, natural animal or vegetable protein polymer or mixtures thereof, the polymers having an average molecular weight not exceeding 100,000, shaping the solution into a three-dimensional structure, subjecting the structure to a vapor phase crosslinking reaction using at least two crosslinking agents in vaporized state to form a crosslinked polymer structure, subjecting the structure to washing with water, subjecting the washed structure to dehydration by immersion in water-miscible organic solvent mixture, subjecting the structure to washing with water and drying the structure to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
The method of preparing a three-dimensional structure comprising preparing an aqueous acidic solution of a non-crystalline, natural animal or vegetable protein polymer or mixtures thereof, the polymers having an average molecular weight not exceeding 100,000, shaping the solution into a three-dimensional structure, subjecting the structure to a vapor phase crosslinking reaction using at least two crosslinking agents in vaporized state to form a crosslinked polymer structure, subjecting the structure to washing with water, subjecting the washed structure to dehydration by immersion in water-miscible organic solvent mixture, subjecting the structure to washing with water and drying the structure to a moisture content of not more than 10 percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the solution of the protein contains at least one crosslinking agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein following the vapor phase crosslinking reaction the structure is immersed in a water-organic solvent mixture containing at least 1 crosslinking agent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein during the vapor phase crosslinking reaction the structure is subjected to UV and/or gamma radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein following the vapor phase crosslinking reaction the structure is immersed in a water-organic solvent mixture containing at least 1 crosslinking agent and during both crosslinking reactions the structure is subjected to UV and/or gamma radiation.
Claim 7
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 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the protein polymer is an animal protein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the protein polymer is gelatin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the protein polymer is a vegetable protein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 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 and has a pH of from about 3.5 to about 5.5.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 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 vapor phase crosslinking agents are formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde in vaporized state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the water-miscible organic solvent is ethanol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 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 3.5 to 5.5, the vapor phase crosslinking agents are formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde in vaporized state, following the vapor phase crosslinking reaction the structure is immersed in a water-organic solvent mixture containing formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the aqueous acidic solution of the protein polymer is a 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 and the protein polymer-calcium phosphate mixture is shaped into a three-dimensional structure.
Claim 17
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 an average molecular weight not exceeding 100,000 and formed by the method as defined in claim 1.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 16 which include calcium phosphate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 16 in the form of a soft contact lens.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 16 in the form of a film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A unitary three-dimensional structure as defined in claim 16 in the form of a filament.
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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) | 1986-11-21 | 1987-05-23 | 1987-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-21 | 1991-05-23 | 1991-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-05-23 | 1995-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |