Abstract
Purpose: Implantable-grade polyetheretherketone (PEEK-OPTIMA®) is a high-performance thermoplastic that has been used in implant devices such as spinal-fusion cages since its introduction in 1999. Here, a new porous PEEK version was investigated. Methods: Porous PEEK was fabricated using industrial scale relevant methods of compounding with porogen filler, extrusion, and subsequent extraction with water at supercritical temperatures and pressures. Mechanical properties were assessed according to ISO standards. Marrow stromal cells were cultured on porous PEEK samples and in vitro cytocompatibility was assessed by total DNA, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteopontin, calcium, and cell morphology to indicate stages of proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization. Compressive strength was assessed statically on 21 day cell cultures and media-soaked samples and dynamically within a medical device application specific context for interbody fusion cages (ASTM F2077). Results: Manufacturing resulted in a biomaterial with ~50% porosity and a mean pore size of 100 microns. The porous PEEK was found to have: tensile strength (14.5MPa), strain at break (3.5%), impact strength (3.6 kJ/m2), flexural strength (21.6MPa), and flexural modulus (0.8GPa). Production of extracellular mineralized matrix occurred very early in the culture period, indicating a preferred surface for differentiation. SEM images revealed polygonal cell morphology supporting a differentiated osteoblastic-like phenotype. EDS analysis detected levels of carbon, phosphorus, and calcium coinciding with assay results for the proliferation and differentiation stages. Conclusion: Previous observations of cytocompatibility and calcification on the PEEK biomaterial could be carried through to this new porous form of the PEEK biomaterial. This helps porous PEEK to potentially offer more design options for implant devices requiring reduced modulus and/or increased tissue ingrowth aspects at the surface.
J Appl Biomater Funct Mater 2013; 11(1): 35 - 44
Article Type: ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
DOI:10.5301/JABFM.2012.9771
Authors
Bonnie C. Landy, Samuel B. VanGordon, Peter S. McFetridge, Vassilios I. Sikavitsas, Marcus Jarman-Smith
Article History
- • Accepted on 03/05/2012
- • Available online on 07/11/2012
- • Published online on 24/06/2013
This article is available as full text PDF.
Authors
- Landy, Bonnie C.
[PubMed]
[Google Scholar]
School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma Bioengineering Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK - USA
- VanGordon, Samuel B.
[PubMed]
[Google Scholar]
School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma Bioengineering Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK - USA
- McFetridge, Peter S.
[PubMed]
[Google Scholar]
J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL - USA
- Sikavitsas, Vassilios I.
[PubMed]
[Google Scholar]
School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma Bioengineering Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK - USA
- Jarman-Smith, Marcus
[PubMed]
[Google Scholar]
Invibio Ltd., IGTC, Hillhouse International, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire - UK
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