Novel biocompatible inks, preparation, and uses thereof

Abstract

An aqueous ink comprising containing a colorant and a radiation-curable oligomer or polymer containing H-active groups bonded to the oligomer or polymer backbone, some or all of whose hydrogen atoms have been substituted by radicals of a N-hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylamide. Methods for printing the inventive inks upon medical devices, such as contact lenses, are also disclosed.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A method for printing on a biomedical device, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a medical device constructed of a polymer;    (b) applying a color coat to at least a portion of a surface of the biomedical device, wherein said color coat comprises comprising water, at least one colorant including pigment particles, and a (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative of a oligomer or polymer containing a plurality of H-active groups; and    (c) exposing the color coat to actinic radiation sufficient to crosslink said (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative.    
   
   
       10 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said H-active groups are selected from the group consisting of —NH 2  groups and —OH groups.  
   
   
       11 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative is obtained by substituting at least one hydrogen atom in H-active groups of the oligomer or polymer with radicals of a compound selected from the group consisting of N-2-hydroxylethyl acrylamide, N-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylamide, N-methylol acrylamide, and N-methylol methacrylamide.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said polymer is the (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, polysaccharide derivatives, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene oxide), PEG-block-PPO, poly(acrylamide), and copolymers thereof.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said polymer is the (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative of a polymer selected from the group consisting of dextran, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and polysaccharides comprising glucose monosaccharide units.  
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said polymer is a N-methylol acrylamido derivative of dextran.  
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said color coat further comprises a crosslinkable, water-soluble acrylate-modified poly(vinyl alcohol).  
   
   
       16 . A method for making a colored contact lens comprising the steps: 
 (a) coating at least a portion of at least one lens-forming surface of a lens mold with an ink comprising water, at least one colorant including pigment particles, and a (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative of a oligomer or polymer containing a plurality of H-active groups; and    (b) adding a lens forming composition to the lens mold while maintaining the ink in position; and    (c) curing the lens-forming composition to form a colored lens.    
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said H-active groups are selected from the group consisting of —NH 2  groups and —OH groups.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative is obtained by substituting at least one hydrogen atom in H-active groups of the oligomer or polymer with radicals of a compound selected from the group consisting of N-2-hydroxylethyl acrylamide, N-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylamide, N-methylol acrylamide, and N-methylol methacrylamide.  
   
   
       19 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said polymer is the (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, polysaccharide derivatives, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(propylene oxide), PEG-block-PPO, poly(acrylamide), and copolymers thereof.  
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said polymer is the (meth)acrylamidoalkyl derivative of a polymer selected from the group consisting of dextran, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and polysaccharides comprising glucose monosaccharide units.  
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said polymer is a N-methylol acrylamido derivative of dextran.  
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said color coat further comprises a crosslinkable, water-soluble acrylate-modified poly(vinyl alcohol).  
   
   
       23 - 25 . (canceled)