AKSOPEEK®
PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a member of the special engineering plastics. Compared with other special engineering plastics (such as PPS, PAI, PI, PTFE, etc.), PEEK has excellent comprehensive properties (easy molding, corrosion resistance, etc.). Its good biocompatibility, high purity, chemical inertness and elastic modulus similar to that of human bone have made it known as the new generation of orthopedic implant materials after titanium alloy.
▲ Comparison of mechanical properties of different implant materials with natural bone[1]
PEEK was first used in dentistry in the early days of medicine, with dental bridges and crowns being its typical applications. With the deepening of understanding and research on PEEK, its application scope has also expanded.
PEEK bridges and crowns
In skull repair surgery, titanium and titanium alloys are commonly used and well-established repair materials. However, pure titanium (with a titanium iodide content of more than 99.9%) has low strength and cannot be used as an implant material for load-bearing and impact-resistant parts. Therefore, titanium alloys are used in skull repair.
Currently, Ti-6Al-4V is widely used in the medical field, but it will precipitate trace amounts of Al and V ions, reducing its cell adaptability and potentially toxic to the human body [2]. The high purity of PEEK ensures that no trace amounts of harmful elements will be precipitated; the similar elastic modulus will not produce a stress shielding effect, making it an ideal repair material.
Application of PEEK in skull repair
PEEK anchors and precision injection molds for sports medicine
Arthroscopic surgery has made great progress in the United States and other countries since the 1970s. In the past few decades, arthroscopy has had a revolutionary impact on the diagnosis and treatment of intra-articular diseases. Arthroscopy allows for a comprehensive observation of the intra-articular structure, which is more subtle than open surgery. Many intra-articular structures and lesions can be directly observed and treated.
Some people call arthroscopic technology, fracture fixation, and artificial joint replacement the three major advances in the field of orthopedics in the 20th century. The first generation of shoulder arthroscopy equipment used stainless steel and titanium anchors, both of which failed mainly due to the breakage of the sutures in the metal eyelets.
In order to eliminate the risk of implant migration and reduce accidental cartilage damage, there has been a shift toward the use of bioresorbable anchors. Despite their great clinical success, failures in the clinical use of bioresorbable anchors have been reported due to rapid degradation, osteolysis and arthrosis, synovitis, implant fragmentation, and cartilage damage.
The low mechanical strength of these polymers is a major concern for their use. PEEK is strong and ductile and can provide strength comparable to that of metal anchors, but with less risk of arthrosis or joint destruction due to third body wear after extra-osseous dislocation. Another benefit is that it can be drilled through if revision surgery is required[3].
Looking to the future
In 2021, Changzhou Junhua Medical Technology Co., Ltd. actively cooperated with major domestic medical device units to develop precision injection molds for PEEK suture anchors in the sports medicine industry to meet the development needs of domestic sports medicine, with the following advantages:
1) PEEK product structure optimization design experience;
2) PEEK anchor and other high-difficulty products precision mold design and manufacturing;
3) PEEK medical implant-grade products are tested and sampled in clean workshops;
4) Unique mold structure design saves expensive PEEK consumption;
5) The perfect after-sales service system is recognized by major domestic medical units.
Based on the present, look to the future. In 2021, Changzhou Junhua Medical officially launched the implantable PEEK project and is in the second round of inspection. The results of the inspection will be announced around June 2022. In order to better standardize implantable PEEK, the implantable AKSOPEEK series grades will be added.
AKSO is the goddess of health in Greek mythology. We hope that China’s PEEK can serve the public more and hope that every injured patient can still enjoy a healthy life.
Our company has core technology and provides one-stop services for the entire PEEK industry chain. It can meet the audit requirements of medical customers and hopes to provide you with sports medicine PEEK application solutions.
References:
[1] Xi’an Kangtuo Medical Technology Co., Ltd. brochure.
[2] Sun Yirui, Hu Jin. The relationship between skull repair failure and metal allergy, Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.
[3] Steven M. Kurtz et al. PEEK Biomaterials Handbook.