Surface bioactivation of PEEK by neutral atom beam technology

Abstract

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an alternative to metallic implants and a material of choice in many applications, including orthopedic, spinal, trauma, and dental. While titanium (Ti) and Ti-alloys are widely used in many intraosseous implants due to its biocompatibility and ability to osseointegrate, negatives include stiffness which contributes to shear stress, radio-opacity, and Ti-sensitivity. Many surgeons prefer to use PEEK due to its biocompatibility, similar elasticity to bone, and radiolucency, however, due to its inert properties, it fails to fully integrate with bone. Accelerated Neutral Atom Beam (ANAB) technology has been successfully employed to demonstrate enhanced bioactivity of PEEK both in vitro and in vivo . In this study, we further characterize surfaces of PEEK modified by ANAB as well as elucidate attachment and genetic effects of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) exposed to these surfaces. ANAB modification resulted in decreased contact angle at 72.9 ± 4.5° as compared to 92.4 ± 8.5° for control (p < 0.01) and a decreased average surface roughness, however with a nano-textured surface profile. ANAB treatment also increased the ability of DPSC attachment and proliferation with considerable genetic differences showing earlier progression towards osteogenic differentiation. This surface modification is achieved without adding a coating or changing the chemical composition of the PEEK material. Taken together, we show that ANAB processing of PEEK surface enhances the bioactivity of implantable medical devices without an additive or a coating.

Benzoxazine Containing Fluorinated Aromatic Ether Nitrile Linkage: Preparation, Curing Kinetics and Dielectric Properties

“…Contact angle measurements of wettability are essential evaluation of surface charge. As was well known, polymer surfaces with a high content of –CH 3 , –CH=CH 2 groups form hydrophobic surfaces (ɵ a ≥ 80°), while –COOH, –NH 2 groups form moderately hydrophobic surfaces (ɵ a = 48–62°) and -OH groups form hydrophilic surfaces (ɵ a ≤ 35°) [47]. In this work, smooth and clean samples were prepared and then water was dripped on the solid surface to evaluate the contact angles, shown in Figure 13.…”

Implantable PEKK/tantalum microparticles composite with improved surface performances for regulating cell behaviors, promoting bone formation and osseointegration

“…Therefore, the rapid new bone formation and osteointegration are essential for the initial and long-term stability of implants. Although PEKK has been widely applied as implants in orthopedics, it is bioinert material that might hardly promote new bone formation and osteointegration [ 29 ]. In this study, to design an implantable material with high bioactivity for rapid new bone formation and osteointegration, PEKK/Ta composite were fabricated by incorporation of Ta microparticles (size of around 1 μm) into PEKK.…”

Strontium ranelate incorporated 3D porous sulfonated PEEK simulating MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation

“…It has been widely used in surgical fields such as spine implant, joint implants [ 7 ] and trauma implants owing to the superior biomechanical properties [ 8 , 9 ]. To improve the bioactive properties of PEEK, Accelerated Neutral Atom Beam technology can enhance the bioactivity of PEEK [ 10 ]. Titanium with a macro–micro–nano roughness surface can increase the rate of device integration with the surrounding bone tissue compared to PEEK [ 11 ].…”