Production, application and development of PEEK catheters in the medical field

PEEK materials

Localization of raw materials

Current situation: PEEK raw materials were originally imported from British Inbon, German Evonik, British Victrex, etc. Now Jida and Zhongyan have already started mass production and sales, Shandong Junhao has invested in construction in Shandong, and is expected to start mass production in 2021.

Physical and chemical properties of PEEK materials

(1) Low elastic modulus close to that of bone (PEEK about 3.8GPa, cancellous bone 3.2-7.8GPa, cortical bone 17-20GPa, titanium alloy TC4 about 110GPa), which can prevent stress shielding effect and keep the surrounding bone at its original strength. (2) It can pass through X-rays and does not show up in CT and MRI scans, making it easier to evaluate bone growth and healing processes; and in some cases, when it is necessary to see the implant, this can also be achieved through modification. It also has strong radiation resistance. PEEK has a very stable chemical structure, and PEEK parts can also work normally under high doses of ionizing radiation. (3) Excellent sterilization performance. Even if it is exposed to hot steam, ethylene oxide and gamma rays for a long time, it can still maintain its original properties. It can be used for a long time at a harsh temperature of 250°C, and the instantaneous use temperature can reach 300°C.

(4) Good biocompatibility. (5) The mechanical properties can be adjusted. Different additives can be added, including carbon fiber, barium sulfate and glass fiber, to meet different specific application requirements. (6) Greater design freedom. It can be easily machined from semi-finished blanks or produced by injection molding. PEEK molding can be injection molding, extrusion molding, and 3D printing technology. Current applications in orthopedic medical devices: sports medicine, joint field, craniomaxillofacial surgery, interspinous device. Currently, companies involved in this field, such as MDT, Depuy, Jiangsu Junhua, Smith & Nephew and other manufacturers, are all developing and producing. Injection molding and extrusion processes that meet biocompatibility are a major direction.

PEEK medical catheter

Medical catheter

The upstream of the medical catheter industry mainly includes the materials industry, automation equipment manufacturing industry, medical device accessories production and other industries, and the downstream is medical institutions. Among them, the sufficient upstream supply has little impact on the industry, and the downstream demand is the core factor for the growth and profitability of the medical catheter industry. At the same time, in recent years, the market share of PEEK medical catheters of local enterprises is quite large. Among them, Jiangsu Junhua, Shanghai Chaoju, Jiangsu Chaoju, Changzhou Junhua Medical Technology, Fujian Anping, etc. have a large output and sales volume of PEEK medical catheters. In the future, as the comprehensive strength of large domestic companies is further improved, the market concentration will be further improved.

The development of my country’s medical catheter industry has begun to take shape, and the overall pattern is outward-oriented. In addition to meeting domestic demand, the products are exported more each year. At the same time, my country also imports a large number of medical catheters every year to meet the domestic market’s demand for different products. PEEK medical catheters are basic medical device products and are widely used in diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, first aid, drainage, perfusion, gas delivery, blood delivery, and rehabilitation. With the development of modern science and technology, the average life expectancy of the world’s population continues to grow and the aging trend intensifies, the scope of application of medical catheters in modern medical diagnosis and treatment and home care will continue to expand, and the importance will continue to increase. The industry has great potential for future development.

PEEK catheter production

PEEK medical catheter production has environmental requirements, equipment and raw materials must comply with ISO13485 standards, and must be strictly sterilized and disinfected. At the same time, the catheter must undergo a lot of post-processing such as ring printing, end sealing, expansion, punching, and fixed bending. At present, the more professional PEEK catheter production in China includes Jiangsu Junhua Special Plastics, Shanghai Chaoju, Jiangsu Chaoju, Changzhou Junhua Medical Technology, Fujian Anping, etc.

Conclusion PEEK is an indispensable key material for the development of high-end science and technology. In which field it should be applied and how to better apply it will be what needs to be explored in future development.

Production, application and development of PEEK catheters in the medical field

PEEK materials

PEEK medical catheter

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