![]() A range of different bioactive agents have been studied as additives for PEEK based composites, namely the likes of hydroxyapatite, strontium (Sr) substituted apatites, fluoro-hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate, calcium silicate, bioglass, and titanium dioxide. Various approaches have been suggested to enhance the surface bioactivity of PEEK, including surface modification via chemical or plasma treatment, coating of the surface via plasma spraying, sputtering, or by the direct fabrication of a composite material containing bioactive agents via injection moulding or direct 3D printing. ![]() However, despite its obvious potential in load bearing orthopaedics and reconstructive surgery, a major clinical concern is that PEEK is bioinert and that it will not provide a suitable interface for driving successful osseointegration, in vivo. To date it has found applications in spinal fusions cages, dental implants, and maxillofacial reconstruction. There is increasing interest in the use of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in orthopaedic implant devices due to its excellent biocompatibility, its radiolucency, chemical resistance, sterilizability, ability to be easily processed, and its favourable mechanical properties (in comparison to human cortical bone). These results demonstrate that FFF can deliver bioactive HA on the surface of PEEK bio-composites in a one-step 3D printing process. In vitro testing of the samples at 7 days demonstrated that the PEEK/HA composite surfaces supported the adherence and growth of viable U-2 OS osteoblast like cells. X-ray diffraction revealed the samples to be semi-crystalline in nature, with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry revealing HA materials were available in the uppermost surface of all the 3D printed samples. The surface characteristics and in vitro properties of the composite materials were investigated. ![]() ![]() The work reported in this study demonstrates the direct 3D printing of PEEK/HA composites of up to 30 weight percent (wt%) HA using a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) approach. One approach to solving this issue is to modify PEEK with bioactive agents such as hydroxyapatite (HA). However, PEEK is bioinert and needs to undergo surface modification to make it at least osteoconductive to ensure a more rapid, improved, and stable fixation that will last longer in vivo. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer which has found increasing application in orthopaedics and has shown a lot of promise for ‘made-to-measure’ implants via additive manufacturing approaches. ![]()
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