Evonik’s PEEK filament biomaterial used in surgeries for 3D printed spinal implants

Recently, the first US surgeries involving a unique spinal implant made from Evonik’s VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK filament biomaterial has been launched. Created by US-based technology company, Curiteva, the high-tech implant is cleared by the US FDA and a novel 3D printed, fully interconnected porous PEEK implanted structure for commercial use.

The surgeries were conducted during mid-April in the US. The inspire platform was manufactured utilizing Evonik's VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK high-performance polymer on a proprietary, patented 3D printer designed, programmed, and built by Curiteva.

Alex Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopedic Institute, shared, “I believe structure drives biology and the lattice PEEK architecture enabled by Curiteva’s 3D printing process represents an exciting advancement in spine, orthopedics, and neurosurgical procedures which involve any type of biologic implant."

Evonik’s VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK filament biomaterial is used inUS surgeries for 3D printed spinal implants.

Kevin Foley, MD, Chairman of Semmes-Murphey Neurologic and Spine Institute and professor of neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery and biomedical engineering at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, commented, “The Inspire porous PEEK technology checks all of the boxes for an ideal interbody implant: fully interconnected porosity, modulus of elasticity equivalent to cancellous bone, strong biomechanical properties, radiolucency, and a bioactive surface for osseointegration.”

Randy Dryer, MD, Central Texas Spine Institute, stated, “Interconnected porosity, pore size distribution, and nano-surface architecture are typically hallmarks of the most effective synthetic allografts. I believe this novel implant enhanced with HAFUSE nano-surface topography incorporates those features and presents an optimal environment for osteoprogenitor cells to move throughout the implant enhancing bone healing (fusion) and reducing risk of subsidence.”

Designed especially for use in additive manufacturing processes, Evonik’s VESTAKEEP i4 3DF comes in filament form and meets stringent requirements of ASTM F2026, which is the standard for PEEK polymers approved for use in surgical implant applications. It is the world’s first 3D-printable filament to meet this requirement for medical use.

“Evonik’s breakthrough 3D-printable implant material opens up exciting new possibilities in individually adaptable medical treatments, like spinal implants,” saod Marc Knebel, head of Evonik’s Medical Devices & Systems market segment. “Innovative developments like our VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK filaments, are designed for the utmost biocompatibility, biostability and x-ray transparency – making them excellent materials for orthopedic and maxillofacial surgery.”