Selectively expandable composite structures for spinal arthroplasty

1. A selectively expandable composite intervertebral disc prosthesis, comprising:

an outer shell comprised of a non-hydrogel polymer material;

at least one core positioned within the outer shell, the core comprised of a hydrophilic polymer; and

at least one conduit comprised of a hydrophilic polymer that connects the at least one core with the surface of the prosthesis;

where the at least one core expands upon hydration, thereby deforming the outer shell.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a plurality of perforations of sufficient size and number to permit fluids to percolate through the shell and contact at least a portion of the at least one core.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is at least partially porous.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a hydrophilic component in the outer shell.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the hydrophilic component in the outer shell is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, poly(acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), polyacrylamides, poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), polyurethanes, polyethylene glycol, polyethyleneoxide, poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), polyacrylates, poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate), copolymers of acrylates with N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl lactams, acrylamide, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethanes, silicone polyurethane copolymers, polyolefins, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers, thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, neoprene, nitrile, vulcanized rubber, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the outer shell is comprised of a thermoplastic silicone polyurethane copolymer.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the thermoplastic silicone polyurethane copolymer is selected from the group consisting of silicone polyetherurethanes; silicone polycarbonateurethane; silicone poly(tetramethylene-oxide) (PTMO) polyether-based aromatic silicone polyurethanes; silicone PTMO polyether-based aliphatic polyurethanes; silicone polyurethane ureas; and mixtures and combinations thereof.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide; polyacrylic acid; polyvinylpyrrolidone; copolymers of ethyleneoxide and propyleneoxide or hyaluronic acid; collagen; gelatin; albumin; keratin; elastin; silk; hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof; proteoglycan; glucomannan gel; polysaccharides; polyelectrolytes; and mixtures and combinations thereof.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the polyelectrolytes are selected from the group consisting of proteins, nucleic acids, sulfonated styrene, polyacrylic acids, carboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylic acid, xantham gum, pectins, polystyrene sulfate, polymethacrylic acid, polyallylamine hydrochloride, carrageenan, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, poly(acrylonitrile-acrylic acid), polyacrylamides, poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), polyurethanes, polyethylene glycol, polyethyleneoxide, poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), polyacrylates, poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate), copolymers of acrylates with N-vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinyl lactams, acrylamide, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive impregnated in the core, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium acetate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, calcium lactate, magnesium succinate, sucrose, glucose, and fructose.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis has a height within the range of from about 3 millimeters to about 15 millimeters.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the prosthesis has a volume within the range of from about 0.5 milliliters to about 8 milliliters.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is substantially deformable in a direction parallel to the spine during expansion of the at least one core, and substantially less deformable in a direction perpendicular to the spine during expansion of the at least one core, when the device is oriented in its intended implanted orientation.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the modulus of elasticity of the outer shell varies depending upon its position in the device.

17. The device of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the outer shell varies depending upon its position in the device.

18. The device of claim 1 , wherein the composition of material comprising the outer shell varies depending upon its position in the device.

19. The device of claim 1 , wherein one or more reinforcing elements selected from the group consisting of metallic, polymeric, ceramic, carbon fibers, mesh, and fabrics are positioned at or in portions of the outer shell where expansion is desired to be limited.

20. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one core is in a physical configuration selected from the group consisting of a single piece, multiple pieces, chunks, granules, flakes, pellets, cylinders, strips, spheres, microspheres, powders, beads, capsules, particulates, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

21. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the core is porous, and the porous portion of the core comprises no more that about 75% by volume of voids.

22. The device of claim 1 , wherein the volume of the device following hydration is no more that about three times the volume of the device in a de-hydrated state.

23. The device of claim 1 , further comprising vertebral endplate contacting elements attached to the top and bottom of the device.

24. The device of claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the device is selected from the group consisting of kidney-shaped, C-shaped, oval-like, spherical, rectangular, square, cylindrical, capsule, U-shaped, V-shaped, X-shaped, and “O” or donut shaped.

25. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one therapeutic agent, pharmaceutical agent, or growth factor impregnated in the core.

26. The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one therapeutic agent, pharmaceutical agent, or growth factor impregnated in or coated on the outer shell.

27. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a radiopaque material or solution impregnated in the device.

28. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a radiopaque marker embedded in the device or attached to its surface.

29. A method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder associated with the spine, comprising:

providing a selectively expandable composite intervertebral disc prosthesis as in claim 1 ;

substantially dehydrating the prosthesis;

inserting the prosthesis into an intervertebral disc space; and

allowing the prosthesis to re-hydrate in the intervertebral disc space.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the prosthesis shrinks upon dehydration and expands upon re-hydration.

31. The method of claim 29 , wherein the prosthesis expands to a greater height upon re-hydration in its anterior portion than in its posterior portion.

32. The method of claim 29 , further comprising delivering a material selected from the group consisting of water or saline solution to the prosthesis following insertion.

33. The method of claim 32 , further comprising mixing with the water or saline solution a material selected from the group consisting of radiopaque agents, therapeutic agents, growth factors, pharmaceutical agents, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

34. The method of claim 29 , further comprising surgically evacuating at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus material and any free disc fragments from the intervertebral disc space prior to inserting the prosthesis into the intervertebral disc space.

35. The method of claim 29 , further comprising measuring the volume of the intervertebral disc space prior to inserting the prosthesis into the intervertebral disc space.

36. The method of claim 29 , wherein inserting the prosthesis is accomplished by the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques.

37. The method of claim 29 , wherein the disease or disorder is selected from the group consisting of: bulging discs; herniated discs; spinal injury due to trauma; age-related degeneration or failure of spinal column components; spinal instability; discogenic back pain; intervertebral osteochondrosis; spondylolisthesis; spinal infection; spinal tumors; arthritis of the spine; and combinations thereof.

38. A selectively expandable composite intervertebral disc prosthesis, comprising:

an outer shell comprised of a non-hydrogel polymer material; and

at least one core positioned within the outer shell, the core comprised of a hydrophilic polymer;

where at least a portion of the core is porous, and the porous portion of the core comprises no more that about 75% by volume of voids; and

where the at least one core expands upon hydration, thereby deforming the outer shell.

39. A method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder associated with the spine, comprising:

providing a selectively expandable composite intervertebral disc prosthesis as in claim 38 ;

substantially dehydrating the prosthesis;

inserting the prosthesis into an intervertebral disc space; and

allowing the prosthesis to re-hydrate in the intervertebral disc space.