AKSOPEEK®

PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a member of special engineering plastics. Compared with other special engineering plastics (such as PPS, PAI, PI, PTFE, etc.), PEEK has excellent comprehensive performance (easy molding, corrosion resistance, etc.). Its good biocompatibility, high purity, chemical inertness and elastic modulus close to that of human bones have earned it a reputation as a new generation of orthopedic implant materials after titanium alloys.

▲ Comparison of mechanical properties of different implant materials with natural bone[1]

PEEK was first used in dentistry, 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 bridge and crown

In skull repair surgery, titanium and titanium alloys are commonly used and well-used repair materials. However, pure titanium (titanium iodide content exceeds 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 possibly being toxic to the human body[2]. The high purity of PEEK ensures that no trace harmful elements will be precipitated; the similar elastic modulus will not produce stress shielding effect, making it an ideal repair material.

Application of PEEK in skull repair

Sports medicine PEEK anchor and precision injection mold

Since the 1970s, arthroscopy has made great progress in the United States and other countries. 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, and many intra-articular structures and lesions can be directly observed and treated.

Some people call arthroscopic technology, fracture internal fixation, and artificial joint replacement the three major advances in orthopedics in the 20th century. The first generation of shoulder arthroscopy devices 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 displacement and reduce accidental cartilage damage, there has been a shift to the use of bioresorbable anchors. Although bioresorbable anchors have achieved great clinical success, clinical applications of bioresorbable anchors have reportedly failed due to rapid degradation, osteolysis and arthrosis, synovitis, implant fragments, and cartilage damage.

The low mechanical strength of these polymers is the main problem in their use. PEEK is strong and tough, and can provide strength comparable to metal anchors, but has a lower risk of arthrosis or joint destruction due to third body wear after extra-bone dislocation. Another benefit is that it can be drilled through if revision surgery is needed [3].

Looking to the Future

In 2021, in order to meet the development needs of domestic sports medicine, 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, with the following advantages:

1) PEEK product structure optimization design experience;

2) Design and manufacturing of precision molds for high-difficulty products such as PEEK anchors;

3) PEEK medical implant-grade products are tested and sampled in clean workshops;

4) Unique mold structure design saves the consumption of expensive PEEK;

5) A complete after-sales service system, etc., is recognized by major domestic medical units.

Based on the present and looking 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] Brochure of Xi’an Kangtuo Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

[2] Sun Yirui, Hu Jin. Relationship between skull repair failure and metal allergy, Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University.

[3] Steven M. Kurtz et al. PEEK Biomaterials Handbook.