Biofilm Helps Bone Implants Bond

Jun-18-16 Researchers have created a bioactive film that allows bone implants to bond more easily with natural bone.

The film, created in collaboration by several universities, was developed for use with the PEEK polymer. While the polymer’s mechanical properties are similar to that of bone, the material does not bond well to natural bone, and bond-friendly coatings required such high levels of heat to apply, the polymer itself would melt.

The new coating process—which overcomes several obstacles surrounding the previous method—involves applying a thin coat of yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) to the PEEK implant. That YSZ layer protects the PEEK material from melting while the layer of hydroxyapatite (HA) is applied—a calcium phosphate material that bonds well with bone.

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