The patent has been granted
The patent has been granted, Grant of patent is intended, Examination is in progress, Request for examination was made, The application has been published
EP Register Verified
MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING HOMOGENEOUS CHARGE DENSITY AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME
Publication No.
EP3581973
•
App No.
EP19174679
•
Filed by
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
•
Filed on
2012-04-29
•
Issued/Published on
2026-01-07
Publication No.
EP3581973
A1
Application No.
EP19174679
Filed: 2012-04-29
Grant Date
2026-01-07
Mention of grant
Active Oppositions
1 Active
EPO Oppositions
Patent Abstract / Summary
<div notation="docdba" type="abstract" xml:base="/api/emi/section/5c41875d-1324-4a47-ba2b-aec57b5311a3/image" xml:lang="en"><p>The present invention relates to ionic silicone hydrogel polymers displaying improved lysozyme uptake, low contact angle and reduced water soluble polymeric ammonium salt uptake.</p></div>
IPC Classifications
G02B1/04
Priority Claims
US 201161482379P
Date: 2011-05-04
US 201213449413
Date: 2012-04-18
Designated Contracting States (38 EPC States)
AL
AT
BE
BG
CH
CY
CZ
DE
DK
EE
ES
FI
FR
GB
GR
HR
HU
IE
IS
IT
LI
LT
LU
LV
MC
MK
MT
NL
NO
PL
PT
RO
RS
SE
SI
SK
SM
TR
Parties & Representation
Applicants
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
7500 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
USInventors (10)
GEORGE, Eric
1717 Highland View Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32092
USMAHADEVAN, Shivkumar
7500 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
USVENKATASUBBAN, Kunisi
14115 Waverly Falls Lane West, Jacksonville, FL 32224
USMAGGIO, Thomas
7500 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
USFADLI, Zohra
8336 Barquero, Court North
USSCALES, Charles
7500 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
USJOSLIN, Scott, L.
732 Mill Stream Road, PonteVedra Beach, FL 32082
USFORD, James, D
7500 Centurion Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256
USDAVIS, Carrie, L.
2020 Crown Dr., Saint Augustine, FL 32092
USHANSEN, Leah
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., 7500 Centurion Parkway
USRepresentatives / Agents
Carpmaels & Ransford LLP
One Southampton Row, London WC1B 5HA
GBKirsch, Susan Edith
Carpmaels & Ransford LLP, One Southampton Row
GBBreuer, Markus
Sendlinger Straße 29, 80331 München
DEKey Procedural Dates
Request-For-Examination
2020-06-12
Mention Of Grant Published
2026-01-07
First-Examination-Report-Despatched
2020-07-06
Patent Oppositions
Official opposition proceedings filed against European Patent EP3581973 under EPC Article 99.
#1
Opponent
Company
Alcon Inc.
Rue Louis-d'Affry 6, CH
Representative
Breuer, Markus
Filing
Date
Opposition in Progress
2026-10-06
Legal Status & Event History
Official European Patent Office legal and procedural status changes recorded for this file.
| Date | Code | Event Description | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-12-18 | AC | DIVISIONAL APPLICATION: REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATION | EP |
| 2019-12-18 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2020-07-22 | 17P | REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION FILED | EP |
| 2020-07-22 | RBV | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES (CORRECTED) | EP |
| 2020-08-05 | 17Q | FIRST EXAMINATION REPORT DESPATCHED | EP |
| 2020-09-18 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2020-07-02 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2020-06-19 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2019-11-15 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2019-11-15 | PUAI | PUBLIC REFERENCE MADE UNDER ARTICLE 153(3) EPC TO A PUBLISHED INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION THAT HAS ENTERED THE EUROPEAN PHASE | EP |
| 2023-06-28 | P01 | OPT-OUT OF THE COMPETENCE OF THE UNIFIED PATENT COURT (UPC) REGISTERED | EP |
| 2025-08-13 | GRAP | DESPATCH OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PATENT | EP |
| 2025-08-13 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-09-17 | INTG | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED | EP |
| 2025-12-02 | GRAS | GRANT FEE PAID | EP |
| 2025-12-05 | GRAA | (EXPECTED) GRANT | EP |
| 2025-12-05 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2026-01-07 | AC | DIVISIONAL APPLICATION: REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATION | EP |
| 2026-01-07 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2026-01-07 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-01-22 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-01-28 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-04-09 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-13 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-15 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-20 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-05-13 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-06-15 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-06-15 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-07 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-10 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-07-08 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-09 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-11 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-10 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-11 | PGFP | ANNUAL FEE PAID TO NATIONAL OFFICE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-14 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-15 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-17 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-18 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-24 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-28 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-10-06 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-10-09 | PLBI | OPPOSITION FILED | EP |
| 2026-10-14 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
Patent & Non-Patent Citations
Cited documents and prior art referenced in search and examination reports.
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Worldwide Patent Family
Related applications and patents in the same INPADOC worldwide family.
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Official File Inspection
EPC Art. 128 Public Dossier
Complete European Patent Register Dossier (148 Total Documents)
The full inspection file for Application EP19174679 contains 148 total documents, including all notices of opposition, proprietor counter-statements, examination communications, third-party observations, and procedural forms. Below are all major recorded procedural filings and publication specifications.
Recorded Filings & Patent Specifications
Official publication specifications, opposition filings, proprietor replies, and procedural submissions.
European Patent Specification - Granted Patent (B1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2026-01-07
Procedure: Grant
EP3581973B1
Official European Patent Register Full Dossier
Publication Specification
Date: 2026-01-07
Procedure: All Proceedings (Examination & Opposition)
EP19174679
European Patent Application with Search Report (A1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2019-12-18
Procedure: Publication
EP3581973A1
New entry: Communication of a notice of opposition and request to file observations + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-10-21
Procedure: Opposition
EPIDOSNOBS2
Invitation to proprietor to file observations on the notice of opposition
Procedural Step
Date: 2026-10-21
Procedure: Opposition
OBSO
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-10-09
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Opposition filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-10-09
Procedure: Opposition
0009260
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-31
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-24
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-17
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-10
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-06-19
Procedure: Examination
0009250
(Expected) grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-12-05
Procedure: Grant
0009210
New entry: Payment of fee for grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-12-02
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR3
New entry: Payment of fee for publishing/printing
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-12-02
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR5
New entry: Receipt of the translation of the claim(s)
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-12-02
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR7
Intention to grant the patent
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-08-14
Procedure: Grant
IGRA
New entry: Communication of intention to grant a patent
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-08-13
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR1
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-03-14
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-03-13
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-03-13
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-03-13
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-03-14
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-03-14
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
New entry: Reply to examination report
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-10-31
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR3
New entry: Despatch of examination report + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-10-20
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR2
Communication from the examining division
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-10-19
Procedure: Examination
EXRE
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-03-18
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-03-16
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Change - representative
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-08-10
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS FREP
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-04-17
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2021-04-15
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
New entry: Reply to examination report
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-01-22
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR3
Change: Despatch of examination report + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-11-13
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSCEXR2
Communication from the examining division
Procedural Step
Date: 2020-07-06
Procedure: Examination
EXRE
First examination report
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-07-03
Procedure: Examination
0009185
New entry: Despatch of examination report + time limit
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-07-02
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXR2
The date on which the examining division becomes responsible, has been established
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-06-19
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXAM52
Request for examination filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-06-19
Procedure: Examination
0009171
Change - designated states
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-06-19
Procedure: Examination
0009199DEST
Amendment by applicant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-06-17
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS ABEX
Date on which the examining division has become responsible
Procedural Step
Date: 2020-06-12
Procedure: Examination
EXAM52
Amendments
Procedural Step
Date: 2020-06-12
Procedure: Examination
ABEX
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2020-04-01
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2020-03-31
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Publication in section I.1 EP Bulletin
Dossier Filing
Date: 2019-11-15
Procedure: Examination
0009012
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2019-05-18
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Change - representative
Dossier Filing
Date: 2019-05-15
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS FREP
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2019-05-15
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Language of the procedure
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
PROL
International searching authority
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
ISAT