Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) for Medical Applications

Overview

Journal J Mater Sci Mater Med

Publisher Springer

Specialty Biomedical Engineering

Date 2016 Jun 5

PMID 27259708

Citations 139

Authors

Ivan Vladislavov Panayotov

Valerie Orti

Frederic Cuisinier

Jacques Yachouh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a polyaromatic semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer with mechanical properties favorable for bio-medical applications. Polyetheretherketone forms: PEEK-LT1, PEEK-LT2, and PEEK-LT3 have already been applied in different surgical fields: spine surgery, orthopedic surgery, maxillo-facial surgery etc. Synthesis of PEEK composites broadens the physicochemical and mechanical properties of PEEK materials. To improve their osteoinductive and antimicrobial capabilities, different types of functionalization of PEEK surfaces and changes in PEEK structure were proposed. PEEK based materials are becoming an important group of biomaterials used for bone and cartilage replacement as well as in a large number of diverse medical fields. The current paper describes the structural changes and the surface functionalization of PEEK materials and their most common biomedical applications. The possibility to use these materials in 3D printing process could increase the scientific interest and their future development as well.

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