Polymeric networks from water-soluble prepolymers

Abstract

The present invention describes a water-soluble crosslinkable prepolymer that comprises, in the copolymer chain, units derived from the following monomeric structural units: a vinyl lactam (a), vinyl alcohol (b), optionally a lower alkanecarboxylic acid vinyl ester (c), a vinylic crosslinking agent (d) and optionally a vinylic photoinitiator (e); a process for the preparation of the novel prepolymers; crosslinked water-insoluble polymeric networks therefrom; hydrogels and moulded articles made from the crosslinked water-insoluble polymeric networks, especially contact lenses; and a process for the manufacture of hydrogels and finished contact lenses using the mentioned crosslinkable water-soluble prepolymers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.