Silicone hydrogel lenses with water-rich surfaces
First Claim
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1. A silicone hydrogel contact lens having a layered structural configuration and a water content gradient from inside to outside of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, comprising:
- a silicone hydrogel core (or bulk material) completely covered with an outer (surface) hydrogel layer having a thickness of at least about 0.1 μ
m as measured with atomic force microscopy across a cross section from the posterior surface to the anterior surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens in fully hydrated state,wherein the outer hydrogel layer is substantially free of silicone, andwherein the water content of the outer hydrogel layer is at least about 1.2 folds (or about 120%) of the water content (designated as WCSiHy) of the silicone hydrogel bulk material when being fully hydrated.
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Abstract
The invention is related to a hydrated silicone hydrogel contact lens having a layered structural configuration: a lower water content silicone hydrogel core (or bulk material) completely covered with a layer of a higher water content hydrogel totally or substantially free of silicone. A hydrated silicone hydrogel contact lens of the invention possesses high oxygen permeability for maintaining the corneal health and a soft, water-rich, lubricious surface for wearing comfort.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A silicone hydrogel contact lens having a layered structural configuration and a water content gradient from inside to outside of the silicone hydrogel contact lens, comprising:
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a silicone hydrogel core (or bulk material) completely covered with an outer (surface) hydrogel layer having a thickness of at least about 0.1 μ
m as measured with atomic force microscopy across a cross section from the posterior surface to the anterior surface of the silicone hydrogel contact lens in fully hydrated state,wherein the outer hydrogel layer is substantially free of silicone, and wherein the water content of the outer hydrogel layer is at least about 1.2 folds (or about 120%) of the water content (designated as WCSiHy) of the silicone hydrogel bulk material when being fully hydrated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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25. The silicone hydrogel contact lens of claim 3, wherein the outer hydrogel layer has a water content that is higher than WCSiHy, as characterized either (a) by having a water-swelling ratio (WSR) of at least about 100% if WCSiHy≦
- 45% or (b) by having a water-swelling ratio of at least about
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26. The silicone hydrogel contact lens of claim 4, wherein the outer hydrogel layer has a water content that is higher than WCSiHy, as characterized either (a) by having a water-swelling ratio (WSR) of at least about 150% if WCSiHy≦
- 45% or (b) by having a water-swelling ratio of at least about
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27. The silicone hydrogel contact lens of claim 5, wherein the outer hydrogel layer has a water content that is higher than WCSiHy, as characterized either (a) by having a water-swelling ratio (WSR) of at least about 150% if WCSiHy≦
- 45% or (b) by having a water-swelling ratio of at least about
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28. The silicone hydrogel contact lens of claim 15, wherein the outer hydrogel layer has a water content that is higher than WCSiHy, as characterized either (a) by having a water-swelling ratio (WSR) of at least about 150% if WCSiHy≦
- 45% or (b) by having a water-swelling ratio of at least about
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29. The silicone hydrogel contact lens of claim 19, wherein the outer hydrogel layer has a water content that is higher than WCSiHy, as characterized either (a) by having a water-swelling ratio (WSR) of at least about 150% if WCSiHy≦
- 45% or (b) by having a water-swelling ratio of at least about
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30. The silicone hydrogel contact lens of claim 22, wherein the outer hydrogel layer has a water content that is higher than WCSiHy, as characterized either (a) by having a water-swelling ratio (WSR) of at least about 150% if WCSiHy≦
- 45% or (b) by having a water-swelling ratio of at least about
Specification