Porous PEEK Composite Supracrestal Implants for Bone Deficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current osseointegrated implants face challenges in biocompatibility, stability, and success rates, particularly in cases of bone deficiency or resorption, as they often require invasive surgery and may not integrate well with deteriorated bone, leading to fibrous tissue proliferation and mechanical instability.
Innovation Solution
Development of extraosseous implants with a bioactive, biocompatible material that matches the elastic modulus of bone, such as composite polymer mixtures like PEEK, PMMA, and Bioglass, which can be 3D printed to fit the jaw's 3D topography, providing improved osseointegration and stability through micro-porosity and surface roughness for better bone ingrowth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal implants (titanium or alloys) are used, then mechanical strength and elastic modulus are improved, but biocompatibility worsens due to soft tissue reactions and inflammatory responses from ion release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining PEEK polymer matrix with ceramic fillers (hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, bioglass) to achieve both mechanical strength and biocompatibility. The composite structure allows the polymer to provide flexibility and the ceramic particles to provide bone-like mechanical properties and osteoconductivity, resolving the contradiction between metal strength and polymer biocompatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the elastic modulus parameter by adjusting the ceramic filler content and particle size distribution in the PEEK composite. By controlling the volume fraction and size of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate particles, the implant achieves an elastic modulus matching human bone (10-30 GPa), eliminating the stress shielding effect while maintaining biocompatibility
2Object-affected harmful factors
If PEEK polymer is used, then biocompatibility is improved, but elastic modulus decreases below that of bone causing stress shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reinforces the PEEK polymer matrix with high-modulus ceramic particles (hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, bioglass) to increase the composite elastic modulus to match bone (10-30 GPa). The ceramic fillers bear the mechanical load while the polymer matrix provides flexibility and biocompatibility, achieving both objectives simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality variations by distributing different ceramic fillers (hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, bioglass) with different elastic moduli throughout the PEEK matrix. This local variation allows optimization of stress distribution at the implant-bone interface, providing higher modulus where needed and maintaining overall biocompatibility
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional plate implants are used, then mechanical stability is improved through extensive invasive surgery, but osseointegration worsens due to reliance on primary stability only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates porous structures with controlled porosity (30-70%) and interconnected pore networks in the implant design. These porous regions allow bone ingrowth and formation, enabling secondary biological stability to develop over time. The porous structure maintains sufficient mechanical strength while providing pathways for osteoconduction and osseointegration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved and contoured implant surfaces that conform to the complex 3D topography of the jawbone. This curved geometry distributes mechanical stresses evenly across the implant-bone interface, improving primary stability while the surface curvature promotes bone apposition and osseointegration through increased surface area contact
4Ease of manufacture
If implants are used in bone deficient or resorbed areas, then the need for invasive bone regeneration surgery is reduced, but integration success worsens due to poor bone quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous PEEK composite structures with controlled pore sizes (100-500 μm) and high porosity (50-70%) to facilitate bone ingrowth in deficient areas. The porous architecture provides scaffolding for osteoconduction, allowing bone to grow into the implant structure and achieve reliable integration even in previously resorbed or deficient bone regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs PEEK composites containing osteoconductive ceramic particles (hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, bioglass) that actively promote bone formation and integration. These bioactive particles stimulate osteoblast activity and bone mineralization, enabling successful integration in bone-deficient areas without requiring extensive prior bone regeneration surgery
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The implants achieve enhanced biocompatibility, stability, and osseointegration, reducing the need for invasive surgery and improving long-term success by promoting bone formation and integration, even in bone-deficient areas, with improved mechanical properties and reduced stress shielding.
Implementation Method 1
micro-porosity and surface roughness for better bone ingrowth
Implementation Method 2
Osseointegration is a direct structural and functional connection between ordered, living bone and the surface of a load carrying implant
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to osseointegrated implants. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to extraosseous implants, for example, supra crestal implants, that are configured to substantially continuously cover the 3D topography of a top and a lateral surface of a bone, for example, a crestal and a lateral surface of the jaw. For example, the implants may be used on partially or completely edentulous jaws. Also, embodiments of the present invention relate to such implants made from biocompatible material of suitable porosity and elastic modulus. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to improved implants suitable for implantation to bone deficient in quantity or quality, such as severely resorbed jaw bone. Further embodiments relate to a unique composite material comprising PEEK, bioglass and PMMA, and formed using triacrylate.