[Publications & Reports]

Researchers investigated the osteointegration of human osteoblast-like cells( MG 63) in cultures on the following surface-modified metallic and polymeric materials, developed for construction of artificial hip joint replacements, including metal alloys, PEEK, and UHMWPE. The data suggest that plasma-sprayed and a-C:H-coated Ti-6Al-4V, polished stainless steel AISI 316 LWM and PEEK seem to be suitable materials for constructing bone-anchoring parts of joint prostheses,while polished UHMWPE can be used for creation of articular surfaces,where the cell adhesion and growth is not desirable.

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. 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. The results of this study indicate that fibrous PEEK structures have potential as scaffolds for tissue engineering.

The aim of this study was to compare, using the three-dimensional finite element method, the stress distribution in the peri-implant support bone of distinct models composed of PEEK components and implants reinforced with 30% carbon fiber (30% CFR-PEEK) or titanium. In simulations with a perfect bonding between the bone and the implant, the 30% CFR-PEEK presented higher stress concentration in the implant neck and the adjacent bone, due to the decreased stiffness and higher deformation in relation to the titanium. However, 30% CFR-PEEK implants and components did not exhibit any advantages in relation to the stress distribution compared to the titanium implants and components.