3D printing of PEEK-based medical devices

open access articlePolyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is an excellent thermoplastic alternative to metallic biomaterials which is used for loadbearing applications due to its high strength and stiffness, and biocompatibility with no cytotoxic effects. However, a potential clinical concern is that PEEK alone is not bioactive enough, and thus has limited fixation to bone. To overcome this problem, bioactive materials and/or porosity are incorporated into PEEK medical devices. The latest developments in these two strategies are presented. in this paper. Bioactive PEEK/hydroxyapatite (HA) prepared by integration of 3D printing and compression molding is presented in this paper. In addition, nozzle and build plate temperatures for 3D printing of porous PEEK were optimized using genetic algorithm (GA) to achieve the highest mechanical strength for load bearing applications such as spinal fusion cages

Lattice design and 3D-printing of PEEK with Ca10(OH)(PO4)3 and in-vitro bio-composite for bone implant

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.The addition of biomaterials such as Calcium hydroxyapatite (cHAp) and incorporation of porosity into poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) are effective ways to improve bone-implant interfaces and osseointegration of PEEK composite. Hence, the morphological effects of nanocomposite on surfaces biocompatibility of a newly fabricated composite of PEEK polymer and cHAp for a bone implant, using additive manufacturing (AM) were investigated. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) method and a surface treatment strategy were employed to create a microporous scaffold. PEEK osteointegration was slow and, therefore, it was accelerated by surface coatings with the incorporation of bioactive cHAp, with enhanced mechanical and biological behaviors for bone implants. Characterization of the new PEEK/cHAp composite was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical tests of traction and flexion, thermal dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Also, the PEEK/cHAp induced the formation of apatite after immersion in the simulated body fluid of DMEM for different days to check its biological bioactivity for an implant. In-vivo results depicted that the osseointegration and the biological activity around the PEEK/cHAp composite were higher than that of PEEK. The increase in the mechanical performance of cHAp-coated PEEK can be attributed to the increase in the degree of crystallinity and accumulation of residual polymer.Peer reviewe

3D printing of PEEK and its composite to increase biointerfaces as a biomedical material- A review

© 2020 Published by Elsevier. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2021.111726Poly ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is a polymer with better lignin biocompatibility than other polymers. It is good for biomedical engineering applications. This research summarises the outcomes of an evaluation conducted on PEEK material composites, such as cellular calcium hydroxyapatite (CHAp) for medical applications. Prospects of PEEK for medical implant are highlighted. Critical analysis and review on 3D printing of PEEK, CHAp and their biological macromolecular behaviours are presented. An electronic search was carried out on Scupos database, Google search and peer-reviewed papers published in the last ten years. Because of the extraordinary strength and biological behaviours of PEEK and its composite of CHAp, 3D-printed PEEK has several biomedical applications, and its biological macromolecular behaviour leads to health sustainability. This work highlights its biological macromolecular behaviours as a bone implant material and the optimum 3D printing process for PEEK and CHAp for medical applications. The current problems with printing PEEK and CHAp are investigated along with their possible uses. Possible solutions to improve the 3D printability of PEEK and CHAp are explained based on scientific mechanisms. This detailed report stands to benefit both scientific community and medical industry to enhance 3D printing concepts for PEEK and CHAp.Peer reviewe