title: Hydroxyapatite whisker-reinforced polyetherketoneketone bone ingrowth scaffolds.
abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HA) whisker-reinforced polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) bone ingrowth scaffolds were prepared and characterized. High levels of porosity (75-90%) and HA whisker reinforcement (0-40 vol.%) were attained using a powder processing approach to mix the HA whiskers, PEKK powder and a NaCl porogen, followed by compression molding at 350-375 degrees Celsius and particle leaching to remove the porogen. The scaffold architecture and microstructure exhibited characteristics known to be favorable for osteointegration. Scaffold porosity was interconnected with a mean pore size in the range 200-300 microm as measured by micro-computed tomography. HA whiskers were embedded within and exposed on the surface of scaffold struts, producing a microscale surface topography, shown by von Kossa staining and scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, HA whisker-reinforced PEKK bone ingrowth scaffolds may be advantageous for orthopedic implant fixation, including interbody spinal fusion.
authors: Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
authors: Gabriel L
authors: GL
authors: Converse
authors: Timothy L
authors: TL
authors: Conrad
authors: Christina H
authors: CH
authors: Merrill
authors: Ryan K
authors: RK
authors: Roeder
mesh_terms: D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry*; D007659:Ketones / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D016348:Osseointegration; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D013499:Surface Properties; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D007659:Ketones; D017886:Durapatite