[Publications]

Abstract

PEEK medical devices are typically produced by manufacturing methods like injection moulding, laser sintering, and machining. To meet the demands of more flexible implant devices, other methods of manufacture are required. The aim of this work was to fabricate flexible woven PEEK scaffolds. Scaffolds were characterised in terms of their physical and mechanical properties and biologically assessed, culturing with L929 mouse fibroblasts for up to 16 days in vitro. Results were compared to those obtained for fabricated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) woven scaffolds. Multifilament PEEK woven scaffolds were lighter, thinner and stronger than monofilament PEEK scaffolds. Woven PEEK scaffolds supported fibroblast cell attachment and proliferation, and ECM production. Cells were found to orientate with the filament direction, and in places, span the inter-filament and inter-yarn pores of the multifilament scaffold. The results of this study indicate that fibrous PEEK structures have potential as scaffolds for tissue engineering.

SEM micrograph of fibroblasts on (a and d) PEEK monofilament scaffold and (b and c) PEEK multifilament scaffold, on day 8 of culture.