Advanced Orthopedic Coating

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Poly-ether-ether-ketone, commonly known as PEEK, is a high performance engineering thermoplastic. However, it has been shown to be relatively inert in a biological context, and so over the past decade there has been interest in using the PEEK polymer for load-bearing orthopaedic applications. Unfortunately, its inert chemical property causes it to be hydrophobic and so cannot be directly involved in the cellular activity normal to a healthy orthopaedic environment. A further disadvantage is that it is x-ray transparent so orthopaedic use is compromised by the fact that the surgeon cannot easily check on the placement of a prosthesis by conventional x-rays as used in a hospital. The supporting organization in this 'Engage' application, has been attempting to remedy both of these deficiencies but has only been able to report partial success. This application seeks to achieve the desired level of success by attaching a coating which will enable the prosthesis to be seen in an x-radiograph and which will be sufficiently hydrophilic to support the cellular processes required in the generation of new bone.