Bone formation into surface phosphonylated polymeric implants

Through the use of two animal models, the present study demonstrates the ab ility of phosphonylated surfaces to bind bone. In one model, surface-treate d polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were implanted in the medial cor tex of the goat tibia. In the second model, surface-treated poly(ether-ethe r ketone) (PEEK) and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK (CFR-PEEK) were implanted through both cortices of the goat mandible. Selected rods of all material types were microtextured using crystallization induced microphase separatio n, a method for the formation of continuous, open-cell microporous surfaces in thermoplastic polymers.' Microtextured and smooth rods were phosphonyla ted, and calcium was subsequently introduced to the phosphonylated surface by incubating the samples in a saturated solution of calcium oxide.(2-4) Fo r all substrate materials tested, phosphonylation and calcium posttreatment resulted in an increased propensity for bone binding and apposition, as me asured by push out test. Microtextured PP, PE, and CFR-PEEK surfaces that w ere further phosphonylated and calcium treated resulted in test samples wit h an increased interfacial strength.