Shape-memory sponge hydrogel biomaterial

Abstract

A hydrogel biomaterial that can be utilized as a nucleus pulposus replacement material is described. The hydrogel biomaterial can is an elastin-glycosaminoglycan-collagen composite hydrogel biomaterial that can mimic the biochemical and functional characteristics of the human nucleus pulposus. Methods for forming the hydrogel biomaterial are also described as are methods for use of the hydrogel biomaterial, one of which is as an in vivo nucleus pulposus replacement material, another of which is a scaffolding material for use in nucleus pulposus tissue engineering applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydrogel biomaterial comprising a soluble elastin, collagen, and at least one glycosaminoglycan, wherein the collagen and the glycosaminoglycan are crosslinked to one another, the soluble elastin being non-fibrous, and in the form of microspheres within the hydrogel biomaterial, the hydrogel biomaterial expelling water under a load and regaining an original shape following removal of the load. 
     
     
         2 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the water content of the hydrogel biomaterial under no load is greater than about 85%. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel biomaterial exhibits an equilibrium modulus of from about 3 KPa to about 10 KPa. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , further comprising living cells. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 4 , wherein the cells comprise cells of the nucleus pulposus. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 4 , wherein the cells comprise stem cells. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 4 , wherein the cells comprise autologous cells. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , further comprising cell growth factors and/or cell differentiation factors. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein from about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt % of the dry weight of the hydrogel biomaterial is the at least one glycosaminoglycan. 
     
     
         10 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , comprising two or more glycosaminoglycans. 
     
     
         11 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 10 , the two or more glycosaminoglycans comprising hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate. 
     
     
         12 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein from about 2 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the dry weight of the hydrogel biomaterial is the collagen. 
     
     
         13 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein the collagen is type I collagen and/or type II collagen. 
     
     
         14 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein from about 40 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of the dry weight of the hydrogel biomaterial is the soluble elastin. 
     
     
         15 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , further comprising a phenolic compound bonded to the soluble elastin via hydrogen and/or covalent bonding, the phenolic compound comprising multiple phenolic groups and a hydrophobic core. 
     
     
         16 . The hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the glycosaminoglycan component is degraded. 
     
     
         17 . A nucleus pulposus replacement material comprising the hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A cosmetic or reconstructive surgery implant comprising the hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . A method for replacing soft tissue material, the method comprising compressing
 the hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 ;   inserting the hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1  into a subject; and   rehydrating the hydrogel biomaterial of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the hydrogel biomaterial is inserted into an intervertebral disc, the hydrogel biomaterial being a nucleus pulposus replacement material.