Patent ID: 7511083

Claim:
A method of preparing a cross-linked hydrogel by graft polymerization, comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution having at least one saturated hydrophilic polymer component; (2) adding a cross-linking agent at a concentration between about 1 wt % and about 30 wt %, wherein the cross-linking agent is selected from the group consisting of di- or multifunctional acrylates and methacrylates; (3) adding a water soluble peroxydisulphate photoinitiator having a concentration of between about 0.1 wt % to 1.25 wt %; (4) initiating the crosslinking of the polymer component in said solution by exposing the aqueous solution to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation; and wherein the curing time for the hydrogel is less than about 5 minutes.