Claims
- 1. A polymeric precursor mixture which comprises a crosslinkable prepolymer, a dead polymer, wherein the compositions of the crosslinkable prepolymer and the dead polymer are comparable, at least one non-reactive diluent in an amount such that after molding it can provide an isometric exchange with saline solution, and, optionally, at least one reactive plasticizer, the polymeric precursor mixture being a semi-solid water-insoluble but water-swellable polymerizable hydrophilic composition which remains optically clear and exhibits low shrinkage when polymerized.
- 2. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 1 wherein the non-reactive diluents are selected from the group consisting of water, ophthalmic demulcents, and mixtures thereof.
- 3. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the prepolymer and the dead polymer comprises a majority of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomer units.
- 4. A polymeric precursor mixture according to claim 1 wherein the prepolymer is a hydrophilic silicone.
- 5. A molding made from a semi-solid polymeric precursor mixture comprising a crosslinkable prepolymer, a dead polymer, wherein the compositions of the crosslinkable prepolymer and the dead polymer are comparable, at least one non-reactive diluent in an amount such that after molding it can provide an isometric exchange with saline solution, and, optionally, at least one reactive plasticizer, the polymeric precursor mixture being a semi-solid water-insoluble but water-swellable polymerizable hydrophilic composition which remains optically clear and exhibits low shrinkage when polymerized.
- 6. A molding according to claim 5 which exhibits minimal expansion or contraction upon equilibration in a physiologically acceptable saline solution.
- 7. A molding according to claim 5 which does not require a separate extraction step prior to its intended use.
- 8. A molding according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the prepolymer and the dead polymer comprises a majority of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomer units.
- 9. A molding according to claim 5 which is a contact lens or an intraocular lens.
- 10. A shaped optical lens obtained by the process which comprises the steps of:
a) mixing together a crosslinkable prepolymer, a dead polymer, wherein the compositions of the crosslinkable prepolymer and the dead polymer are comparable, at least one non-reactive diluent in an amount such that after molding it can provide an isometric exchange with saline solution, and, optionally, at least one reactive plasticizer, to give a semi-solid water-insoluble but water-swellable polymerizable hydrophilic composition, which remains optically clear and exhibits low shrinkage when polymerized; b) introducing the semi-solid polymerizable composition into a mold corresponding to a desired geometry; c) compressing the mold so that the semi-solid composition takes on the shape of the internal cavity of the mold; and d) exposing the semi-solid composition to a source of polymerizing energy; to give the shaped optical lens.
- 11. A method for producing a shaped optical lens which comprises the steps of:
a) mixing together a crosslinkable prepolymer, a dead polymer, wherein the compositions of the crosslinkable prepolymer and the dead polymer are comparable, at least one non-reactive diluent in an amount such that after molding it can provide an isometric exchange with saline solution, and, optionally, at least one reactive plasticizer, to give a semi-solid water-insoluble but water-swellable polymerizable hydrophilic composition, which remains optically clear and exhibits low shrinkage when polymerized; b) introducing the semi-solid polymerizable composition into a mold corresponding to a desired geometry; c) compressing the mold so that the semi-solid composition takes on the shape of the internal cavity of the mold; and d) exposing the semi-solid composition to a source of polymerizing energy; to give a shaped optical lens.
- 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein the cured molding exhibits minimal expansion or contraction.
- 13. A method according to claim 11 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.
- 14. A method according to claim 11 which further comprises the step of placing the cured molding into a package containing a saline solution.
- 15. A method according to claim 11 wherein the mold may be reused.
- 16. A method according to claim 11 wherein the non-reactive diluents are selected from the group consisting of water, ophthalmic demulcents, and mixtures thereof.
- 17. A method according to claim 11 wherein the semi-solid composition is exposed to a source of polymerizing energy for a quick curing time.
- 18. A method according to claim 11 wherein the cured molding further requires only a minimal extraction step prior to its intended use.
- 19. A method according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the prepolymer and the dead polymer has a majority of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomer units.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/894,861, filed Jun. 27, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09894861 |
Jun 2001 |
US |
Child |
10083300 |
Feb 2002 |
US |