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Dec 5, 2017 | By Benedict

Connecticut’s Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) today revealed that an independent scientific study has shown the antibacterial benefits of OPM’s 3D printed PEKK implants.

The study, carried out in September, found that PEKK (poly-ether-ketone-ketone) samples made with OPM’s OsteoFab 3D printing process offered better antibacterial properties than comparable PEEK (poly-ether-ether-ketone) samples for orthopedic applications.

OPM’s OsteoFab 3D printed implants are some of the most widely used in the medical industry, having been commercialized in 2013. The sturdy implants have a rough, nanostructured surface that purportedly helps bone regrowth.

This new study, however, doesn’t say anything about the bone-growing powers of OsteoFab implants, but focuses on their antibacterial properties.

According to OPM, this is an equally important feature of the implants, since orthopedic implant infections are on the rise—a worrying trend that is worsened by reports that antibiotics are becoming less effective at treating such infections.

“Orthopedic implant infections have been steadily increasing while, at the same time, antibiotics developed to kill such bacteria have proven less and less effective with every passing day,” according to the researchers. “It is clear that new approaches that do not rely on the use of antibiotics are needed to decrease medical device infections.”  As a result, the antibacterial properties detailed in this new study that apply to OsteoFab devices will provide another important layer of differentiation for the performance of OPM medical devices in the marketplace. 

Dr. Gregory Chotkowski, Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon, commented on the comparative benefits of OsteoFab devices: “I am excited that there is another option available for custom facial bony augmentation. The products currently available are porous and have a high incidence of infection when placed through a transoral surgical approach,” Dr. Chotkowski stated, “I had the opportunity to use OPM’s 3D printed PEKK mandibular angle implants on several occasions and feel that this material is far superior.  The bacteriostatic properties - combined with custom fabrication - makes this an ideal material for facial augmentation through a transoral approach.”

OPM has, at present, five FDA 510(k) clearances for its 3D printed devices, and is the first 3D printed polymeric implant company to reach that milestone. Its OsteoFab implants are made from a special PEKK formulation—approved by both the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the European Union—whose brand name is “OXPEKK.”

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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