Claims
- 1. A polymeric precursor mixture which comprises:
(a) a first component selected from one or more of the group consisting of prepolymers and dead polymers; and (b) optionally, a second component selected from one or more of the group consisting of reactive plasticizers and non-reactive diluents; provided that at least one reactive plasticizer is present when a prepolymer is not present.
- 2. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 1 which is a semi-solid.
- 3. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 1 wherein the first component consists of one or more prepolymers and the second component consists of one or more non-reactive diluents selected from the group consisting of water, ophthalmic demulcents, and mixtures thereof.
- 4. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 3 which is a semi-solid.
- 5. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 1 wherein the first component is non-water-soluble.
- 6. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 2 wherein the first component is non-water-soluble.
- 7. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 2 wherein the prepolymer or dead polymer comprises a majority of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomer units.
- 8. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 2 wherein said prepolymer is a hydrophilic silicone.
- 9. A molding made from a semi-solid polymeric precursor mixture comprising a first component selected from one or more of the group consisting of prepolymers and dead polymers; and optionally, a second component selected from one or more of the group consisting of reactive plasticizers and non-reactive diluents; provided that at least one reactive plasticizer is present when a prepolymer is not present;.
- 10. A molding according to claim 9 which exhibits minimal expansion or contraction upon equilibration in a physiologically acceptable saline solution.
- 11. A molding according to claim 9 which does not require a separate extraction step prior to its intended use.
- 12. An molding according to claim 9 wherein the polymeric precursor mixture exhibits low shrinkage upon cure.
- 13. A molding according to claim 9 wherein the prepolymer or dead polymer comprises a majority of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomer units.
- 14. A molding according to claim 9 which is water-swellable.
- 15. A molding according to claim 9 which is a contact lens or an intraocular lens.
- 16. A method for preparing a molding comprising:
mixing together an initiator and a polymeric precursor mixture comprising a first component selected from one or more of the group consisting of prepolymers and dead polymers; and optionally, a second component selected from one or more of the group consisting of reactive plasticizers and non-reactive diluents; provided that at least one reactive plasticizer is present when a prepolymer is not present; to form a semi-solid composition; providing a mold corresponding to a desired geometry; introducing said semi-solid composition into said mold; compressing said mold so that the semi-solid composition takes on the shape of the internal cavity of said mold; and exposing said semi-solid composition to a source of polymerizing energy; to give a cured molding.
- 17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the cured molding exhibits minimal expansion or contraction.
- 18. A method according to claim 16 which further comprises the step of providing a waiting period at a predetermined temperature after the semi-solid composition is compressed in the mold and before exposing to the source of polymerizing energy.
- 19. A method according to claim 16 which further comprises the step of placing the cured molding into a package containing a saline solution.
- 20. A method according to claim 16 wherein the mold may be reused.
- 21. A method according to claim 16 wherein the first component consists of one or more prepolymers and the second component consists of one or more non-reactive diluents selected from the group consisting of water, ophthalmic demulcents, and mixtures thereof.
- 22. A method according to claim 16 wherein the first component is non-water-soluble.
- 23. A method according to claim 16 wherein the semi-solid composition is exposed to a source of polymerizing energy for a quick curing time.
- 24. A method according to claim 16 wherein the cured molding requires only a minimal extraction step prior to its intended use.
- 25. A method according to claim 16 wherein the semi-solid composition exhibits low shrinkage upon cure.
- 26. A method according to claim 16 wherein the semi-solid composition comprises a prepolymer or dead polymer having a majority of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomer units.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 09/511,661, filed Feb. 22, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of International patent application No. PCT/US99/22048, filed Sep. 22, 1999 and designating the United States, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/101,285, filed Sep. 22, 1998; the disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60101285 |
Sep 1998 |
US |
Continuation in Parts (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09511661 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
09894861 |
Jun 2001 |
US |
Parent |
PCT/US99/22048 |
Sep 1999 |
US |
Child |
09511661 |
Feb 2000 |
US |