Title of Invention

ANTIMICROBIAL CONTACT LENSES CONTAINING ACTIVATED SILVER AND METHODS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION

Abstract An optically clear contact lens having antimicrobial properties comprising more than about 0.01 weight percent activated silver.
Full Text ANTIMICROBIAL CONTACT LENSES CONTAINING ACTIVATED SILVER
AND METHODS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from a provisional patent application, U.S
Serial No. 60/257,317 filed on December 21, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to optically clear lenses having antimicrobial
properties as well as methods of their production, use, and storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Contact lenses have been used commercially to improve vision since
the 1950s. The first contact lenses were made of hard materials. Although
these lenses are currently used, they are not suitable for all patients due to
their poor initial comfort and their relatively low permeability to oxygen. Later
developments in the field gave rise to soft contact lenses, based upon
hydrogels, which are extremely popular today. Many users find soft lenses are
more comfortable, and increased comfort levels allow soft contact lens users to
wear their lenses for far longer hours than users of hard contact lenses.
Despite this advantage, the extended use of the lenses can encourage
the buildup of bacteria or other microbes, particularly, Pseudomons.
aeruginosa, on the surfaces of soft contact lenses. The build-up of bacteria or
other microbes is not unique to soft contact lens wearer and may occur during
the use of hard contact lenses as well.
Therefore, there is a need to produce contact lenses which inhibit the
growth of bacteria or other microbes and or the adhesion of bacterial or other
microbes on the surface of contact lenses. Further there is a need to produce
contact lenses which do not promote the adhesion and/or growth of bacteria or
other microbes on the surface of the contact lenses. Also there is a need to
produce contact lenses which inhibit adverse responses related to the growth
of bacteria or other microbes.
Others have recognized the need to produce soft contact lenses which
inhibit the growth of bacteria. In US Patent No. 5,213,801, the production of an
antibacterial contact lens is disclosed, where an antibacterial metal ceramic
material within a soft contact lens is incorporated into a contact lens. This
procedure contains a number of steps and may not be suitable for producing
all types of lenses in a production environment. The steps include making a
silver ceramic material that is fine enough to be used in a contact lens and then
forming the lens with the powdered ceramic. However, lenses containing these
types of materials often lack the clarity required by contact lens users.
Although these methods and lenses are known, other contact lenses
that inhibit the growth and/or adhesion of bacteria or other microbes and are of
sufficient optical clarity, as well as methods of making those lenses are still
needed. It is this need, which this invention seeks to meet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This invention includes an optically clear lens having antimicrobial
properties comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, more than
about 0.01 weight percent activated silver. As used herein, the phrase
"optically clear," refers to a lens that has optical clarity comparable to currently
available commercial lenses, e.g. etafilcon A, balafllcon A, and the like. The
term "lens" refers to opthalmic devices that reside in or on the eye. These
devices can provide optical correction or may be cosmetic. The term lens
includes but is not limited to soft contact lenses, hard contact lenses,
intraocular lenses, overlay lenses, ocular inserts, and optical inserts. Typical
hard contact lenses are made from polymers which include but are not limited
to polymers of poly(methyl)methacrylate, silicone acrylates, fluoroacrylates,
fluoroethers, polyacetylenes, and polyimides, where the preparation of
representative examples may be found in JP 200010055, JP 6123860, and
U.S. Patent 4,330,383. Typical soft contact lenses are made from silicone
elastomers, or hydrogels, such as but not limited to silicone hydrogels and
fluorohydrogels. The preparation of representative soft contact lenses may be
found in US Patent No. 5,710,302, WO 9421698, EP 406161, JP 2000016905,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,498, US Pat. App. No. 09/532,943,a continuation-in-part of
US Pat App. No. 09/532,943, filed on August 30, 2000, and U.S. Patent No.
6,087,415. Examples of commercially available soft contact lenses include but
are not limited to etafilcon A, genfilcon A, lenefilcon A, polymacon, and
lotrafilcon A. The preferable contact lenses are etafilcon A, balafilcon A, and
silicone hydrogels, as prepared in U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,498, US Pat. App. No.
09/532,943, a continuation-in-part of US Pat App. No. 09/532,943, filed on
August 30, 2000, and U.S. Patent No. 6,087,415. Intraocular lenses of the
invention can be formed using known materials. For example, the lenses may
be made from a rigid material including, without limitation, polymethyl
methacrylate, polystyrene, polycarbonate, or the like, and combinations
thereof. Additionally, flexible materials may be used including, without
limitation, hydrogels, silicone materials, acrylic materials, fluorocarbon
materials and the like, or combinations thereof. Typical intraocular lenses are
described in WO 0026698, WO 0022460, WO 9929750, WO 9927978, WO
0022459, and JP 2000107277. All of the aforementioned lenses of the
invention, may be coated with a number of agents that are used to coat lens.
For example, the procedures, compositions, and methods of U.S. Pat. No.
6,087,415 may be used and this patent is hereby incorporated by reference for
those procedures, compositions, and methods. All of the references
mentioned in this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
The term, "activated silver," refers to silver that has been incorporated
into the polymer of a lens, prior to forming the lens and subsequently activated
by treatment with an oxidizing agent. Oxidizing agents include but are not
limited to hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, peroxy acids, bromine,
chlorine, chromic acid, potassium permaganate, and iodine. The preferred
oxidizing agent is sodium hypochlorite. The oxidizing agent can be dispersed
or dissolved in an aqueous solution, such as deionized water, and the formed
lens may be washed or soaked with this solution for a period of time. The
concentration of the oxidizing agent in aqueous solution is about 0.1 to about
50 weight percent, where the percentage is based on the weight (or volume) of
the solution, preferably about 0.4 to about, 30 weight percent, and more
preferably about 0.6 to about 15 weight percent. The period of time for the
treating the lenses with the oxidizing agent is about 10 seconds to about 10
hours, preferably about 1 to about 10 minutes.
The silver that is oxidized includes but is not limited to powdered silver
having mesh size of 30, 60, or 325 or an average particle size of 2 to 8
microns; nanosize powder; and silver that is formed by reduction of Ionic silver
in the polymer matrix. The amount of silver in the lens is greater than 0.01
weight percent, where the percentage is based the weight of the components
of the un-hydrated monomer. The weight percentage of silver is about 0.01 to
about 0.3 weight percent, more preferably, about 0.02 to about 0.2 weight
percent, and most preferably about 0.03 to about 0.1 weight percent.
The phrase, "antimicrobial properties," refers to a lenses that exhibit one
or more of the following properties, the inhibition of the adhesion of bacteria or
other microbes to the lenses, the inhibition of the growth of bacteria or other
microbes on lenses, and the killing of bacteria or other microbes on the surface
of lenses or in a radius extending from the lenses (hereinafter adhesion of
bacteria or other microbes to lenses, the growth of bacteria or other microbes
to lenses and the presence of bacterial or other microbes on the surface of
lenses is collectively referred to as "microbial production"). Particularly,
preferably, the lenses of the invention exhibit at least a 1-log reduction (= 90%
inhibition) of viable bacteria or other microbes, most particularly preferably,
about a 2-log reduction (= 99% Inhibition) of viable bacteria or other microbes
in in vitro tests. Such bacteria or other microbes include but are not limited to
those organisms found in the eye, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Acanthanmoeba, Staph, aureus, E. coll, Staphyloccus epidermidus, and
Serratia marcesens.
Further, the invention includes a method of reducing a lens wearer's
adverse microbial reactions comprising, consisting essentially of, and
consisting of, the step of providing an optically clear lens having antimicrobial
properties, the lens comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of more
than about 0.01 weight percent activated silver. The terms lens, activated
silver, optically clear, and antimicrobial properties all have their aforementioned
meanings and preferred ranges. The preferred lens wearer is a human. The
phrase "adverse events associated with microbial infections" include but are
not limited to the following: ulcerative (microbial, infectious) keratitis, infiltrative
keratitis, asymptomatic infiltrates, contact lens-induced peripheral ulcer,
contact lens-induced acute red eye, and contact lens-induced papillary
conjunctivitis. Although any reduction in the population of bacteria or other
microbes in a lens wearer's eye may alleviate the adverse effects associated
with microbial infections, it is preferred that the lenses of the invention Inhibit
the growth of bacteria and other microbes in standard in vitro tests at about
50% to about 100%, more preferably, about 80% to about 100%, most
preferably, about 90% to about 100%. Particularly, preferably, the lenses of
the invention exhibit at least a 1-log reduction (= 90% inhibition) of viable
bacteria or other microbes, most particularly preferably, about a 2-log reduction
(= 99% inhibition) of viable bacteria or other microbes
Still further, the invention includes a method of producing an optically
clear lens having antimicrobial properties, the lens comprising, consisting
essentially of, or consisting of, more than about 0.01 weight percent activated
silver, where the method comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of
treating a lens containing silver with an oxidizing agent. The terms lens,
activated silver, optically clear, and antimicrobial properties all have their
aforementioned meanings and preferred ranges. The phrase "oxidizing
agents" includes but is not limited to hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite,
peroxy acids, bromine, chlorine, chromic acid, potassium permanganate and
iodine, where the preferred oxidizing agent is sodium hypochlorite. Although
the oxidizing agent can be applied to the lens in a number of ways, preferably it
is dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous solution, such as deionized water, and
the formed lens may be washed or soaked with this solution for a period of
time. The concentration of the oxidizing agent in aqueous solution is about 0.1
to about 50 weight percent, preferably about 0.4 to about, 30 weight percent,
and more preferably about 0.6 to about 15 weight percent, where the
percentage is based on the weight of the solution. The period of time for the
treating the lenses with the oxidizing agent is about 10 seconds to about 10
hours, preferably about 1 to 10 minutes.
Yet still further, the invention includes a lens case having antimicrobial
properties, comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of, more than
about 0.01 weight percent activated silver. The terms lens, activated silver,
optically clear, and antimicrobial properties ail have their aforementioned
meanings and preferred ranges. The term lens case refers to a container that
is adapted to define a space in which to hold a lens when that lens is not in
use. This term includes packaging for lenses, where packaging includes any
unit in which a lens is stored after curing. Examples of this packaging include
but are not limited to single use blister packs and the like.
One such container is illustrated in Figure 3 of U.S. Pat. 5,515,117
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Silver can be
incorporated in the lens container 22, the cover 24, or the lens basket 26,
where they are preferably incorporated into the lens container or the lens
basket, (numbers refer to U.S. Pat. 5,515,117) The silver within such lens
cases can be activated by the same methods described for the lenses of the
invention.
Aside from activated silver, the container components may be made of a
transparent, thermo-plastic polymeric material, such as
polymethylmethacrylate, polyolefins, such as poly-ethylene, polypropylene and
the like; polyesters, polyurethanes; acrylic polymers, such as polyacrylates and
polymethacrylates; polycarbonates and the like and is made, e.g., molded,
using conventional techniques as a single unit.
Storing lenses in such an environment inhibits the growth of bacteria on
said lenses and adverse effects that are caused by the proliferation of
bacterial. Another example of such a lens case is the lens case can be found
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,808 which is hereby incorporated by reference for the
blister pack housing for a contact lens disclosed therein.
Either the lens container, the lens basket or the top may contain
activated silver. In the same manner as the lenses of the invention, silver can
be added to the monomer mix of the other components. The resulting mixture
is charged to molds, cured, and subsequently treated with an oxidizing agent.
The method of treating the molded article with an oxidizing agent is analogous
to the method described for the treatment of formed lenses to give lenses with
activated silver. Preferably, activated silver is present in any or all of the lens
case components at about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent (based on the initial
monomer mix), more preferably about 0.05 to about 3.0 percent.
In order to illustrate the invention the following examples are included.
These examples do not limit the invention. They are meant only to suggest a
method of practicing the invention. Those knowledgeable in contact lenses as
well as other specialties may find other methods of practicing the invention.
However, those methods are deemed to be within the scope of this invention.
EXAMPLES
The following abbreviations are used in the examples below:
HEMA 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate
BAGE glycerin esterified with boric acid
EGDMA ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate
Darocur™ 1173 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1 -phenyl-propan-1 -one
MAA methacrylic acid
TRIS 3-methacryloxypropyltris (trimethylsiloxy) silane
DMA N,N-dimethylacrylamide
THF tetrahydrofuran
TMI dimethyl meta-isopropenyl benzyl isocyanate
HEMA 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate
TEGDMA tetraethyleneglycol dimethacrylate
MMA methyl methacrylate
TBACB tetrabutyl ammonium-m-chlorobenzoate
mPDMS 800-1000 MW monomethacryloxypropyl terminated
polydimethylsiloxane
3M3P 3-methyl-3-pentanol
Norbloc 2-(2'-hydroxy-5-methacrylyloxyethylph6nyl)-2H-benzotriazole
CGI 1850 1:1 (wgt) blend of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone and
bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-2,4-4-trimethylpentyl phosphine
oxide
PVP poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone)
I PA isopropyl alcohol
GMMA glycerin 1-monomethacrylate
mPEG 350 poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether
D30 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol
TAA t-amyl alcohol
Blue HEMA the reaction product of reactive blue number 4 and HEMA,
as described in Example 4 or U.S. Pat. no. 5,944,853
Biological Vortex Assay
The following viable bacteria adhesion assay was used where indicated
in the following examples. A culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ATCC#
15442 (ATCC, Rockville, MD) is grown overnight in a nutrient medium. The
bacterial inoculum is prepared to result in a final concentration of 1 x 108 colony
forming units (cfu)/ml. Three contact lenses are rinsed with phosphate
buttered saline ("PBS") pH 7.4 + 0.2. Each washed contact lens is combined
with two ml of the bacterial inoculum into a glass vial, which is agitated in a
shaker-incubator for two hr. at 37 +°C. Each lens is washed with PBS, placed
into 10 ml of PBS containing 0.05% Tween™ 80 and vortexed at 2000 rpm for
three min. The resulting supernatant is enumerated for viable bacteria, and the
results of the detectacted viable bacteria attached to three lenses are
averaged.
Example 1
A blend of 9.80 g HEMA, 0.08 g EGDMA, 0.04 g Darocur™ 1173, and
nanosize activated powdered silver (99.9+%, from Aldrich Chemicals), in 9.80
g of BAGE diluent, was sonicated for 1 hour. The resulting mixture was
charged to a mold subsequently exposed to UV light for 30 minutes in a
polystyrene to cure the polymer. After curing, the molds were opened, and the
lenses were washed out into borate-buffered saline. The resulting lenses were
soaked for 10 minutes in a 5.25% v/v solution of sodium hypochlorite in water,
then rinsed 5 times in 0.85% v/v physiological saline solution. The number of
viable Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhered to the lenses using the microbial
assay described above was reduced by 99.8% compared to the untreated
contact lens.
Examples 2-4
The procedure of Example 1 was repeated, with addition of MAA as
indicated in Table 1. In all cases the adhesion of viable bacteria was reduced
when compared to a lens of the same polymer composition without silver. The
results of the biological assay are shown in Table 1.
Example 5
Macromer B Preparation
To a dry container housed in a dry box under nitrogen at ambient
temperature was added 30.0 g (0.277 mol) of bis(dimethyiamino)methylsiIane,
a solution of 13.75 ml of a 1IVI solution of TBACB (386.0 g TBACB in 1000 ml
dry THF), 61.39 g (0.578 mol) of p-xylene, 154.28 g (1.541 mol) methyl
methacrylate (1.4 equivalents relative to initiator), 1892.13 (9.352 mol) 2-
(trimethylsiloxy)ethyl methacrylate (8.5 equivalents relative to initiator) and
4399.78 g (61.01 mol) of THF. To a dry, three-necked, round-bottomed flask
equipped with a thermocouple and condenser, all connected to a nitrogen
source, was charged the above mixture prepared in the dry box.
The reaction mixture was cooled to 15 °C while stirring and purging with
nitrogen. After the solution reaches 15 °C, 191.75 g (1.100 mol) of 1-
trimethylsiloxy-1-methoxy-2-methylpropene (1 equivalent) was injected into the
reaction vessel. The reaction was allowed to exotherm to approximately 62 °C
and then 30 ml of a 0.40 M solution of 154.4 g TBACB in 11 ml of dry THF was
metered in throughout the remainder of the reaction. After the temperature of
reaction reached 30 °C and the metering began, a solution of 467.56 g (2.311
mol) 2-(trim6thylsiloxy)ethyl methacrylate (2.1 equivalents relative to the
initiator), 3636.6. g (3.463 mol) n-butyl monomethacryloxypropyl-
polydimethylsiloxane (3.2 equivalents relative to the Initiator), 3673.84 g (8.689
mol) TRIS (7.9 equivalents relative to the initiator) and 20.0 g
bis(dimethylamino)methylsilane was added.
The mixture was allowed to exotherm to approximately 38-42 °C and
then allowed to cool to 30 °C. At that time, a solution of 10.0 g (0.076 mol)
bis(dimethylamino)methylsilane, 154.26 g (1.541 mol) methyl methacrylate (1.4
equivalents relative to the initiator) and 1892.13 g (9.352 mol) 2-
trimethylsiioxy)ethyl methacrylate (8.5 equivalents relative to the initiator) was
added and the mixture again allowed to exotherm to approximately 40 °C. The
reaction temperature dropped to approximately 30 °C and 2 gallons of THF
were added to decrease the viscosity. A solution of 439.69 g water, 740.6 g
methanol and 8.8 g (0.068 mol) dichloroacetic acid was added and the mixture
refluxed for 4.5 hours to de-block the protecting groups on the HEMA.
Volatiles were then removed and toluene added to aid in removal of the water
until a vapor temperature of 110 °C was reached.
The reaction flask was maintained at approximately 110 °C and a solution of
443 g (2.201 mol) TMI and 5.7 g (0.010 mol) dibutyltin dilaurate were added.
The mixture was reacted until the isocyanate peak was gone by IR. The
toluene was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield an off-white,
anhydrous, waxy reactive monomer. The macromer was placed into acetone
at a weight basis of approximately 2:1 acetone to macromer. After 24 hrs,
water was added to precipitate out the macromer and the macromer was
filtered and dried using a vacuum oven between 45 and 60 °C for 20-30 hrs.
Lens Formation
A hydrogel was made from the following monomer mix (all amounts are
calculated as weight percent of the total weight of the combination): macromer B
(~18%), mPDMS (~28%), TRIS (~14%), DMA (~26%), HEMA (~5%), TEGDMA
(~1%), PVP (~5%); CGI 1850 (~1%), glacial acetic acid (~5%), nanosize
activated powdered silver (from Aldrich Chemicals~0.13%), with the balance
comprising minor amounts of additives. The polymerization was conducted in
the presence of 20%wt dimethyl-3-octanol diluent, and the blend was sonicated
for 30 minutes before curing.
Contact lenses were formed by adding about 0.10 g of the monomer mix
to the cavity of an eight-cavity lens mold of the type described in U.S. Patent
4,640,489. The lenses were cured for 8 minutes at 50 C (+5) using visible
light (wavelength: 380-460 nm with a peak maximum at 425 nm, dose: approx.
2.5 J/cm2). After curing, the molds were opened, and the lenses were released
into a 1:1 blend of water and ethanoi, then leached in ethanol to remove any
residual monomers and diluent. Finally the lenses were equilibrated in
physiological borate-buffered saline. The lenses appeared transparent when
examined with the naked eye, although the silver particles could be seen under
magnification. The resulting lenses were soaked for 21 hours in a 5.25%
solution of sodium hypochlorite in water, then rinsed 5 times in saline solution.
The lenses were tested for antibacterial properties by the following method:
Biological Broth Assay
Each lens was washed with Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline
without calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, then placed into 1000 µl of
Mueller Hinton Broth containing 108 cfu/ml Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC
15442), and incubated at 37°C overnight. The resulting solutions were
observed for opacity and cultured to enumerate the bacteria, and compared to
similar lenses that were not reacted with sodium hypochlorite. The results, in
Table 3, show that the number of bacteria were reduced by >99.99%.
Example 6-8
A blend was made of 40.67 weight % HEMA, 1.0% Darocur 1173,
1.07% TEGDMA, 26.90% GMMA and 30.36% mPEG 350 (diluent). Nanosize
activated powdered silver was added to this blend in amounts indicated in
Table 4. Lenses were made and treated with sodium hypochlorite following the
procedure of Example 1.
Lenses were autoclave sterilized, and tested for their antibacterial
properties using the microbial assay described directly above. The results are
shown in Table 4.
*As compared to lenses of the same composition made without silver.
Examples 9-12
Lenses were made using the blend and method described in Example 5,
except without addition of powdered silver, and without reacting with sodium .
hypochlorite. These lenses were rinsed with deionized water to remove
chloride ions. They were soaked in varying concentrations of AgNO3, as
indicated in Table 4 for 30 minutes, blotted to remove surface water, and
placed into a solution of 5.0% ascorbic acid in water. After one hour the lenses
were rinsed in deionized water, and then soaked either in 5.25% sodium
hypochlorite or 3.0% aqueous hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes or 60 minutes
respectively, as indicated in Table 5. The lenses were rinsed in borate-
buffered saline, autoclave sterilized, and tested for antibacterial properties
using the vortex assay described above. The results are shown in Table 5
"As compared with a lens made without silver or oxidation.
EXAMPLES 13-16
The lenses of Example 5 were made, but with 0.10% nanosize silver,
and instead of reacting with sodium hypochlorite, reacting with a solution of
3.0% hydrogen peroxide diluted to the indicated concentration with borate-
buffered saline at room temperature for the time indicated in Table 6. The
lenses were tested using the microbial assay described above. The results are
shown in Table 6.

*Compared to lenses of the same composition and are treated with H2O2, but
made without silver.
Examples 17-19
The lenses of Example 5 were made, but with 0.10% nanosize silver, and
instead of reacting with sodium hypochlorite, reacting with a solution of 50%
hydrogen peroxide diluted as needed to the indicated concentration with
borate-buffered saline at room temperature for the time indicated in Table 7.
The lenses were tested using the vortex assay described above. The results
are shown in Table 7.

*Compared to lenses of the same composition and are treated with H2O2, but
made without silver.
EXAMPLES 20-22
The lenses of EXAMPLE 5 were made, but instead of reacting with
sodium hypochlorite, reacting with an aqueous solution of 0.05M l2 and 0.20 M
Kl at room temperature for the time indicated in Table 8. The lenses were
tested using the vortex assay described above. The results are shown in Table
8.

*Compared to an etafilcon A lens. The antibacterial activity of etafilcon A
lenses is statistically the same as the activity of the lenses of example 5, when
prepared without silver (95% confidence (p=0.09)).
EXAMPLES 23-25
The lenses of EXAMPLE 5 were made, but with 0.20% nanosize silver,
and instead of reacting with sodium hypochlorite, reacting with a solution of
3.0% hydrogen peroxide diluted to the indicated concentration with borate-
buffered saline at room temperature for the time indicated in Table 9. The
lenses were tested using the vortex assay described above. The results are
shown in Table 9.

*Compared to a similar H2O2-reacted lens made without silver.
Examples 26-35
Nanosize silver can be added to the compositions listed in Table 10.
Subsequently, lenses can be prepared as described In Example 5 and oxidized
with 1-2 wgt.% H2O2. Macromers A and C were prepared as follows:
Macromer A:
The procedure for Macromer B used except that 19.1 mole parts HEMA,
5.0 mole parts MAA, 2.8 mole parts MMA, 7.9 mole parts TRIS, 3,3 mole parts
mPDMS, and 2.0 mole parts TMI were used.
Macromer C:
The procedure for Macromer B was used except that 19.1 mole parts
HEMA, 7.9 mole parts TRIS, 3.3 mole parts mPDMS, and 2.0 mole parts TMI
were used.
We Claim:
1. An optically clear contact lens having antimicrobial properties
comprising 0.01 to 3 weight percent activated silver.
2. The lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens is a soft contact
lens.
3. The lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens is a silicone
hydrogel.
4. The lens as claimed in claim 1 having 0.02 to 0.2 weight percent
activated silver.
5. The lens as claimed in claim 1 having 0.05 to 0.2 weight percent
activated silver.
6. The lens as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens is a silicone
hydrogel having 0.02 to 0.1 weight percent activated silver.
7. The lens as claimed in claim 6,5, or 4 wherein the lens is lenefilcon
A, aquafilcon A, etafilcon A, genfilcon A, balifilcon A,
polymacon, or lotrafilcon A.
8. A method of producing an optically clear contact lens having
antimicrobial properties comprising 0.01 to 3 weight percent
activated silver, where the method comprises the step of, treating a
lens containing silver with an oxidizing agent.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the oxidizing agent is
selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, sodium
hypochlorite, peroxy acids, bromine, chlorine, chromic acid,
potassium permanganate and iodine.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the oxidizing agent is
sodium hypochlorite.

An optically clear contact lens having antimicrobial properties comprising
more than about 0.01 weight percent activated silver.

Documents:

791-kolnp-2003-abstract.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-claims.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-correspondence.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-description (complete).pdf

791-kolnp-2003-examination report.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-form 1.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-form 18.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-form 2.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-form 26.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-form 3.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-form 5.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-abstract.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-claims.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-correspondence.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-description (complete).pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-examination report.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-form 1.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-form 18.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-form 2.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-form 26.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-form 3.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-form 5.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-specification.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-reply to examination report.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-specification.pdf

791-kolnp-2003-translated copy of priority document.pdf


Patent Number 235807
Indian Patent Application Number 791/KOLNP/2003
PG Journal Number 36/2009
Publication Date 04-Sep-2009
Grant Date 31-Aug-2009
Date of Filing 18-Jun-2003
Name of Patentee JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION CARE, INC.
Applicant Address 7500 CENTURION PARKWAY, SUITE 100, JACKSONVILLE, FL
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 ANN MEYERS 3134 MISTY CREEK LANE, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216
2 SKROBOT SUSAN BROWN 8707 ROLLING BROOK LANE, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216
3 DOUGLAS G. VANDERLAAN 8114 PARKRIDGE CIRCLE S, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32211
4 ANN MEYERS 3134 MISTY CREEK LANE, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216
5 DOUGLAS G. VANDERLAAN 8114 PARKRIDGE CIRCLE S, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32211
6 SKROBOT SUSAN BROWN 8707 ROLLING BROOK LANE, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216
PCT International Classification Number A61L 12/08
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2001/50582
PCT International Filing date 2001-12-21
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/257,317 2000-12-21 U.S.A.