Composite prosthetic polymeric devices

摘要

A new concept in polymeric prosthetic devices having a portion thereof composed of a hydrophilic polymer is described herein in which distortions and stresses upon the device due to water absorption are minimized or eliminated. Physical properties of the various portions of the device may thus be varied to provide the particular physical parameters required. Compositions of matter and methods of manufacturing the novel prosthetic devices are described. The composition of matter is a polymer which includes a water soluble solid inert substance removable by exposure to water during hydration of the hydrophilic portion of the device, thus eliminating distortions and stresses therein. The hydrophilic polymer described is useful, for example, as one component part of such prosthetic devices as a hard-soft contact lens, cardiovascular implants, etc. useful in aqueous environment wherein stress and deformation of the polymer shape due to hydration must be minimized.