Hydrogel implant with superficial pores

• US 8,895,073 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2011
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Boyan, Barbara D., Guldberg, Robert E., Kennedy, Stephen J., Ku, David N., Schwartz, Zvi
• Primary Examiner(s): AZPURU, CARLOS A
• Application Number:
  US13/052,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20110172771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• US Class Current: 424/497
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3094 Designing or manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30011 differing in porosity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30014 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30784 Plurality of holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0023 differing in porosity
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2430/38 for reconstruction of the spine, vertebrae or intervertebral discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/52 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/56 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 19/02 for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis

Abstract

Implantable biomaterials, particularly hydrogel substrates with porous surfaces, and methods for enhancing the compatibility of biomaterials with living tissue, and for causing physical attachment between biomaterials and living tissues are provided. Also provided are implants suitable for load-bearing surfaces in hard tissue repair, replacement, or augmentation, and to methods of their use. One embodiment of the invention relates to an implantable spinal disc prosthesis.

Claims

1. A biocompatible hydrogel configured for implantation into a joint, comprising:

a top surface configured for attachment to a patient'"'"'s native tissue;

a bottom surface generally opposite of the top surface;

a depth defined between the top surface and the bottom surface;

superficial pores located within about 1 millimeter of the top surface of the hydrogel;

wherein the superficial pores do not extend throughout an entire depth of the hydrogel;

wherein said superficial pores enhance osteoblast differentiation and permit proliferation of osteoblasts; and

wherein the hydrogel is load-bearing.

2. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel is configured for implantation into at least one of a knee, shoulder or spine.

3. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the pores have an average cross-section of between about 1 to 100 micrometers.

4. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the pores have an average cross-section of between about 10 to 30 micrometers.

5. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the pores are within about 200 micrometers of the surface of the hydrogel.

6. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

7. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel has a moisture content of at least 5% w/w of the overall hydrogel.

8. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel has a moisture content of at least 30% w/w of the overall hydrogel.

9. The biocompatible hydrogel of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel comprises a chemically-modified or polar surface to promote cellular adhesion.

10. A load bearing hydrogel implant comprising:

a first surface having a plurality of superficial pores thereon, said first surface being configured for attachment to a patient'"'"'s native joint tissue;

wherein said superficial pores are located at or near the first surface;

wherein said superficial pores do not extend throughout said hydrogel;

wherein the hydrogel is configured for implantation into a joint;

wherein the superficial pores have an average cross-section of between about 1 and 100 micrometers; and

wherein the pores are within about 1 millimeter of the hydrogel surface.

11. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the hydrogel is configured for implantation into at least one of a knee, shoulder or spine.

12. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the pores have an average cross-section of between about 1 to 100 micrometers.

13. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the pores have an average cross-section of between about 10 to 30 micrometers.

14. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the pores are within about 1 millimeter of the surface of the hydrogel.

15. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the pores are within about 200 micrometers of the surface of the hydrogel.

16. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the hydrogel comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

17. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the hydrogel has a moisture content of at least 5% w/w of the overall hydrogel.

18. The hydrogel implant of claim 10, wherein the hydrogel has a moisture content of at least 30% w/w of the overall hydrogel.