Evonik: New PEEK material for medical technology implants

Baspar / IranPolymer The specialty chemicals group Evonik (Essen) has developed an osteoconductive (stimulating new bone formation) polyetheretherketone for medical technology that is supposed to improve the connection between bones and implants. The new biomaterial will be sold under the brand name “Vestakeep Fusion” as part of another product line of PEEK-based implant materials.

According to the manufacturer, the osteoconductive properties of the high-performance material were created through the use of a special functional additive – biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) – which should ensure faster adhesion of bone cells to the implant. In this way, the interfacial fusion, the so-called osteointegration, between the bone and the implant is positively influenced, thus enabling faster healing and convalescence. The biomaterial “Vestakeep iC4800”, which is suitable for injection molding, offers good mechanical properties that are similar to human bone. In addition, the material does not form artifacts in imaging processes such as X-rays or MRI.