Invibio Unveils New Material for Bone Apposition

Invibio Biomaterial Solutions recently launched an enhanced hydroxyapatite-PEEK-OPTIMA combination substance that ensures the naturally-occuring mineral is present on all surfaces of a medical device or implant.

The homogeneous PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced polymer yields excellent mechanical performance, biocompatibility with a modulus similar to cortical bone, reduced stress shielding and a high degree of radiolucency to allow for clear fusion assessment.

“Although PEEK is the most popular chosen material for interbody fusion applications, surgeon feedback has indicated that a version of PEEK that enhances bone ongrowth on all sides of the device could be more effective,” Invibio Emerging Business Director John Devine noted. “Invibio has invested in this new grade that offers the same advantages of PEEK-OPTIMA and additionally a superior solution for bone apposition. With HA [hydroxyapatite] available across the whole device the opportunity for bone ongrowth is virtually unmatched with alternative bone apposition technologies. We believe the launch of PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced provides surgeons with improved technologies and enables device companies to differentiate their product offerings. “

Within four weeks of implantation Invibio PEEK-OPTIMA HA Enhanced polymer demonstrated enhanced bone apposition compared to PEEK-OPTIMA Natural in a pre-clinical in vivo study using a sheep model. Within 12 weeks of implantation the bone apposition levels are maintained with the new grade.

The new material not only offers the same processing simplicity as PEEK-OPTIMA, but also omits the extra processing time and expense of alternative bone on-growth technologies, such as coatings, Invibio executives said.

Based in West Conshohocken, Pa., Invibio Biomaterials provides polyetheretherketone (PEEK)-based biomaterial solutions to medical device manufacturers around the world. PEEK-OPTIMA polymers feature a long history of implantation (since 1999) and use in regulatory approved devices. They are an industry standard in spinal fusion, and rapidly growing in other applications, offering product purity, quality testing and control.