US5508317A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photocrosslinked polymers
Assignee: Novartis AG
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Filing: 1994-08-04
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2014-08-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of mouldings, especially contact lenses, in which a soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is crosslinked in solution, and also to mouldings, especially contact lenses, obtainable in accordance with that process. The present invention relates also to novel prepolymers that can be used in the process according to the invention, especially derivatives of a polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of at least about 2000 that, based on the number of hydroxy groups of the polyvinyl alcohol, comprise from approximately 0.5 to approximately 80% of units of formula I ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkylene having up to 8 carbon atoms, R 1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl and R 2 is an olefinically unsaturated, electron-attracting, copolymerisable radical preferably having up to 25 carbon atoms, to crosslinked polymers, either homo- or co-polymers of those novel prepolymers, to processes for the preparation of the novel prepolymers and the homo- and co-polymers obtainable therefrom, to mouldings made from the said homo- or co-polymers, especially contact lenses made from those homo- or co-polymers, and to processes for the manufacture of contact lenses using the said homo- or co-polymers.
Inventors
- 👤 Beat Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:44
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29D11/00009; B29D11/00432; B29D11/00442; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C31/00; B29C31/04; B29C31/041; B29C35/0888; B29C35/0894; B29C37/00; B29C37/0003; B29C37/0007; B29C37/005; B29C39/00; B29C39/22; B29C39/24; B29C39/36; B29C39/42; B29D11/00038; B29D11/00057; B29D11/00125; B29D11/00134; G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/04; G02B1/041; G02B1/043; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0827; B29C33/00; B29C33/30; B29C33/303; B29L; B29L2011/00; B29L2011/0016; B29L2011/0041; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S525/00; Y10S525/937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A process for the manufacture of a moulding, which comprises the following steps: a) preparing a substantially aqueous solution of a prepolymer, said prepolymer being a water-soluble polymer that comprises crosslinkable groups, but which is substantially uncrosslinked, wherein the concentration of the prepolymer in said solution is up to 40% by weight; b) introducing the solution obtained into a mould; c) triggering crosslinking for a period of less than about 30 seconds; d) opening the mould such that the moulding can be removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A process for the manufacture of a moulding, which comprises the following steps: a) preparing a substantially aqueous solution of a prepolymer, said prepolymer being a water-soluble polymer that comprises crosslinkable groups, but which is substantially uncrosslinked, wherein the concentration of the prepolymer in said solution is up to 40% by weight; b) introducing the solution obtained into a mould; c) triggering crosslinking for a period of less than about 30 seconds; d) opening the mould such that the moulding can be removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the moulding is a contact lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the substantially aqueous solution of the water-soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is free or substantially free from undesired constituents, selected from the group consisting of monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric starting compounds used for the preparation of the prepolymer, and secondary products that have formed during the preparation of the prepolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the substantially aqueous solution of the water-soluble prepolymer comprising crosslinkable groups is used without the addition of a vinylic comonomer or other comonomer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein an initiator for the crosslinking is added to the solution of the prepolymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein an extraction for removal of undesired constituents following the crosslinking is dispensed with.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
A process according to claim 1, which comprises the following steps: a) preparing a substantially aqueous solution of a water-soluble prepolymer that comprises crosslinkable groups, which is free or substantially free from undesired constituents, selected from the group consisting of monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric starting compounds used for the preparation of the prepolymer, and secondary products that have formed during the preparation of the prepolymer, and which is used without the addition of a comonomer, b) introducing the solution obtained into a mould, c) triggering crosslinking, and d) opening the mould such that the moulding can be removed from the mould.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein the moulding is a contact lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process for the manufacture of a contact lens according to claim 8, wherein the substantially aqueous solution is a pure aqueous solution or a solution in an artificial lacrimal fluid, which is unbuffered or buffered.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process for the manufacture of a contact lens according to claim 8, wherein a crosslinking initiator is added to the solution and wherein the crosslinking is photocrosslinking.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A moulding obtainable in accordance with the process of claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A contact lens according to claim 11, which is suitable for its intended use without extraction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A contact lens obtainable according to any one of claims 8 to 10, which is suitable for its intended use without extraction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A moulding according to claim 11 which is a contact lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contact lens of claim 14, which contact lens is suitable for its intended use without extraction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contact lens of claim 8, which contact lens is suitable for its intended use without extraction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A contact lens of claim 10, which contact lens is suitable for its intended use without extraction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for the manufacture of a molding, which comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a substantially aqueous solution of a prepolymer, said prepolymer being a water-soluble polymer that comprises crosslinkable groups, but which is substantially uncrosslinked; (b) introducing the solution obtained into a mold; (c) triggering crosslinking by applying energy for a period of less than about 30 seconds; and (d) opening the mold such that the molding can be removed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process for the manufacture of a molding, which comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a substantially aqueous solution of a prepolymer, said prepolymer being a water-soluble polymer that comprises crosslinkable groups, but which is substantially uncrosslinked; (b) introducing the solution obtained into a mold; (c) triggering crosslinking by applying energy for a period of less than about 30 seconds; and (d) opening the mold such that the molding can be removed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process of claim 18, wherein said molding is a contact lens.
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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) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |