[Welcome to the Online Reference for PEEK Implants]
Our goals are to highlight recent developments in clinically relevant PEEK research and to stimulate hypothesis-driven investigations related to medical grade polyaryletherketones.
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[Newsworthy]
PEEK Biomaterials Handbook
A new textbook dedicated to PEEK Biomaterials, edited by Dr. Steve Kurtz, has been published as part of the Plastics Design Library by Elsevier Inc. This Handbook brings together experts in many different facets related to PEEK clinical performance as well as in the areas of materials science, tribology, and biology to provide a complete reference for specialists in the field of plastics, biomaterials, medical device design and surgical applications. This book can be ordered at Amazon.
[Featured Publications & Reports]
Program and Abstracts: First International PEEK Meeting, Philadelphia PA, in April 2013
The Implant Research Center of Drexel University in collaboration with Exponent, Inc. is pleased to announce the proceedings for the 1st PEEK International Meeting, which convened at the Union League, Philadelphia, PA, USA, on Thursday and Friday, April 25 and 26, 2013. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together engineers, scientists, and clinicians from academia and industry and present leading edge research on advancements in medical grade PEEK technology and clinical applications. Click here for details on the final program and abstracts for the meeting.
ASTM Round Robin Results on DSC of PEEK
The ASTM task group for PEEK conducted a round robin to quantify the repeatability and reproducibility of DSC measurements of thermal transitions in PEEK was conducted between 2011 and 2012. Eight labs participated and all provided data for the analysis, as summarized in the technical memorandum.
Effects of Mold Temperature on the Properties of HA Whisker Reinforced PEEK
Porous and bioactive polyetheretherketone (PEEK) scaffolds have potential to replace metallic scaffolds for biologic fixation of permanent implants adjacent to trabecular bone, such as interbody spinal fusion devices. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the mold temperature and PEEK powder on the mechanical properties and crystallinity of hydroxyapatite (HA) whisker reinforced PEEK scaffolds prepared using compression molding and porogen leaching. The results of this study suggested that HA reinforced PEEK scaffolds should be compression molded at 370-375°C. The apparent compressive modulus, yield strength, and yield strain for scaffolds molded at 370-375°C was 75-92 MPa, 2.0-2.2 MPa, and 2.5-3.6%, respectively, which was within the range exhibited by human vertebral trabecular bone.
[Featured Standards]
Medical Grade PAEK Standard Updates from ASTM
At the May 2012 ASTM meeting in Phoenix, the results of ballots for the PEEK standard specification F2026 was reviewed. The material standards has been updated to include quality system requirements for the production of resin and stock shapes. The task force also reviewed the results of a draft ISO protocol for measuring the transition temperatures of PEEK using DSC. The PEKK standard specification, which was updated to include quality system requirements, has passed Main ballot and been cleared for publication. The next task force meeting will be in November 2012 in Atlanta Georgia. Please also see the F04 meeting webpage on the ASTM website for more details about future task force meetings.
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[Featured Conferences]
Register Online for the 1st International PEEK Meeting
We are pleased to announce that the 1st International PEEK Meeting will be convened at the Union League, Philadelphia, PA, USA, on Thursday and Friday, April 25 and 26, 2013. For more details about the conference topics, see the preliminary agenda.
MEETING VENUE: The meeting will take place at the historic Union League of Philadelphia, located in Center City at 140 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. A city map and directions can be found here.
BUSINESS ATTIRE: Please note that the Union League maintains a strict dress code policy.
REGISTRATION: Early bird registration is $295 for professionals, $150 for students and will expire on March 25. Standard registration is $395 for professionals and $175 for students. Click here to register online for the meeting.
Meeting registration also includes continental breakfast and coffee breaks which will be provided on site both days of the meeting. Lunch will also be provided on April 26. For the first 150 registrants, a special reception/gala dinner will be held on April 25. The reception and dinner will be held in the Dinosaur Hall at the Museum of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Bus transportation will be provided from the meeting venue and the museum before and after the reception. To reserve a ticket for the dinner and reception for one or more guests, please register the guest online as a student.
WHERE TO STAY: To take advantage of all that Philadelphia has to offer in terms of night life, historic tourist attractions, and fine dining, we recommend that you select a hotel in Center City. Please make your hotel reservations ASAP, as there is a lighting convention in town on the same weekend.
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