整合選擇性粉末沉積與熔積成型技術用於提高PEEK植入物之親水性(II)

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a thermoplastic polymer with excellent biocompatibility and mechanical strength. Compared with metal implants, in addition to being radiolucent, PEEK has an elastic modulus closer to that of human trabecular bone, which can reduce the stress shielding effect and reduce bone resorption and potential loosening of the implant. In recent years, PEEK has been an alternative to metal implants. However, PEEK is a biologically inert material, leading to poor adhesion to surrounding tissues. Therefore, after PEEK implants are implanted into the human body, their effects on bone differentiation, cell adhesion, and proliferation are poor. Consequently, it is necessary to increase its biological activity through surface modification while maintaining the original mechanical properties.This project continued the surface modification method developed in the previous year and improved the polylactic acid-hydroxyapatite (PLA-HA) composite filament process. Previously, the PLA particles and HA powder were often mixed unevenly, which caused the filament to break during the 3D printing process. In this project, the PLA particles were dissolved, precipitated, and dried to obtain PLA powder. Since PLA and HA powders have comparable particle sizes, using a sample mixer will allow for uniform mixing. Then, the PLA-HA tablet is prepared by the tablet press machine and sent to the extruder to extrude the filament. The above process can increase the weight percent concentration of HA in the filament. Combined with the profile offset method for the PEEK surface modification, more bio activators can adhere to the surface of the PEEK specimen, and its hydrophilicity can be improved.