In vivo Evaluation of PEEK Copolymer Composites for Prosthetic Spine

• Published in: Macromolecular research Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 244 - 251
• Main Authors: Chon, Joon Woo, Xin, Yang, Lee, Seung Mook, Kim, Young Jun, Jeon, In Sung, Jho, Jae Young, Chung, Dong June
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul The Polymer Society of Korea 01.03.2021; Springer Nature B.V; 한국고분자학회
• Subjects: Cages; Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Copolymers; Graphene; In vivo methods and tests; Mechanical properties; Nanochemistry; Nanotechnology; Orthopedics; Physical Chemistry; Polyether ether ketones; Polymer matrix composites; Polymer Sciences; Prostheses; Soft and Granular Matter; Solution polymerization; Stability analysis; Surgical implants; 고분자공학; spine cage application; PEEK composite; PEEK copolymer synthesis; biosafety
• ISSN: 1598-5032; 2092-7673
• DOI: 10.1007/s13233-021-9027-2

In this study, we evaluated the biosafety of a novel polyetheretherketone (PEEK) copolymer [P(E2-E4)K] composite using an animal model to test an implanted orthopedic spine cage. The PEEK copolymer was synthesized by solution polymerization with diphenyl sulfone solvent and blended with carbon fibers and graphene oxide to produce the composite. The P(E2-E4)K composite exhibited improved mechanical properties, similar to natural bone. The animal study results for short-term inflammation evaluation by hematoxylin & eosin and immunostaining methods showed significant histochemical stability for 3 weeks after implantation, demonstrating the required biosafety for medical application as an implantable spine cage.