PEEK is the clear winner in this regard, as it can provide complete radiolucency on most forms of imaging, including X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. Radiolucency – Positive surgical outcomes are also dependent on the surgeon’s ability to monitor the implant’s placement following the procedure and adjust accordingly.Often, they are down in the single digits, so more of the body’s native bone is protected from loss of density. PEEK implants, by contrast, experience much lower subsidence rates. Yet, it is a known issue with titanium implants, which can experience subsidence rates of 20 percent or more, according to research published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders and the European Spine Journal. The primary word here is “subsidence.” When bone experiences subsidence, it sinks and settles in, which is a complication that no surgeon wants to see. Because the titanium implant is handling more than its share of the load, nearby bone can suffer, losing some of its mineral density and, by effect, its ability to bear weight and remain stable. This can have a deleterious, cascading effect on the body’s own bone. Titanium implants can alter how neighboring bones bear weight, as the implant bears more of it than it should. Consider titanium implant alternatives, which are much stiffer than cortical bone. PEEK can be modified so that it provides a modulus as close to cortical bone as medical professionals can get from their implants. Surgeons like PEEK for many reasons, but its modulus is at the top of the list. In short, to protect nearby bone, the implant must behave like bone, at least to an extent. Ideally, a spinal implant would provide a modulus as close to cortical bone as possible, as this ensures neighboring bone continues bearing weight like normal. A similar modulus to cortical bone – The majority of PEEK implants are destined for the spine, as they are ideal for spinal cages and spacers.What are some other PEEK material properties worth addressing? PEEK implants further this mission with their biocompatibility, minimizing complications arising from the procedure. Any implant surgery that involves the spine is one to handle carefully, as the spinal column must be protected to ensure a positive outcome. PEEK, however, passes the biocompatibility test, with excellent inertness driving its long-term efficacy. PEEK’s impressive material propertiesįew materials are suitable for the human body, as biocompatibility is imperative. There is plenty of research to back these points, and plenty of research that confirms the bright future that comes with PEEK implants and components. This is a strong, tough, flexible and biocompatible option for patients and their surgical teams.
PEEK is a high-performance polymer, so it shouldn’t be compared to consumer grade plastics. What is it about PEEK, though, that makes it a perfect fit for so many medical applications, and particularly implant applications? PEEK is a viable alternative to titanium implants, also owing to its physical properties, and the trend line is positive in this regard. PEEK’s role in medicine has rapidly grown in the 15 years since it was first adapted for use in spinal implants, and the primary reason for that is its material properties. It is roughly 10 times the price of PTFE and as a result has remained a niche polymer, used only in applications where it is absolutely necessary.PEEK’s material properties deliver peak performance The biggest disadvantage of PEEK remains the price. This makes it a preferred choice in high wear applications. In a nutshell, applications requiring strength and low levels of deformation would usually employ PEEK, whereas those requiring resistance to voltage or chemicals utilize PTFE. PTFE also rates highly in that it is self-lubricating. OEMs typically have to make a choice based on technical suitability and hence need to be better informed as to how these materials match up against each other.īelow is a short comparison on properties between these two polymers and can be used a guide to aid new product development. Although both PTFE and PEEK are well established within their respective fields, there are frequently questions around which would better suit a given application.
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