Active implants & Drug Delivery

PEEK-OPTIMA™ polymers for next generation implantable and drug delivery medical devices

Accelerating new medical device design 

The inherent characteristics of PEEK polymers provide exceptional design and processing versatility to overcome the limitations of conventional materials in active implantable medical devices and drug delivery systems

Trends driving innovation in medical devices

Drug delivery & active implantable medical devices have the potential to lower treatment costs, improve patient outcomes and promote an active lifestyle. Finding ways to improve the device or to develop new solutions is challenging – but with the right high performing materials, that journey can be easier. We are here to help you discover what is possible, and how far you can push the boundaries when inventing with PEEK.

Patient comfort

Manufacturers seek new technologies to help support patients with compliance, adherence and increase patient comfort

Wireless technology

Many new AIMD systems communicate wirelessly with the implant and other external equipment, and need to be minimally invasive

Smaller size batteries

Designers want to optimize the performance of ever increasingly miniaturized applications - how can devices be thinner and smaller whilst still retain a long battery life?

DEVICE APPLICATIONS

Superior biomaterial properties of PEEK-OPTIMA Natural polymer have the potential to improve performance in active implantable medical devices. One of the most dynamic areas in the healthcare industry today are active implantable medical devices (AIMDs). An AIMD is any active medical device that is intended to be totally or partially introduced into the human body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, and which is intended to remain in place.

Neuromodulation

The dielectric properties of PEEK-OPTIMA polymer allow for exceptional performance as an insulator, with minimal interference and minimal loss over changing conditions such as temperature, humidity, and frequency.

cochlear implant on-womans ear

Cochlear implants

Lightweight and durable to resist impact, and for continued use over time, even in miniaturised parts found in bone conduction implants.

Artificial heart impeller pump

Ventricular assist devices

PEEK-OPTIMA polymers have proven biocompatibility and resistance to a broad range of chemicals and blood, along with excellent wear resistance - and can be used to develop state-of-the art VAD such as total artificial hearts.
Drug delivery wearable insulin device with polymer

Drug delivery

Medical-grade PEEK polymers are biocompatible, are safe in contact with a range of drugs, chemicals and human tissue - and have the mechanical properties needed to innovate in devices such as auto-injector insulin pens, transdermal patch pumps, inhalers and more.

Need help with material selection?

Resources

PEEK Granules
FACT SHEET
PEEK-OPTIMA polymers can be used in a wide range of active implantable and non-implantable medical device applications 
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Dr John Devine Medical Business Director Victrex
OPINION ARTICLE
Are PEEK polymers a good choice for active implants and drug delivery devices? Dr John Devine explores
Patch pump eBook image
eBook

A Guide to PEEK Polymers In Drug Delivery Device Design

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Expert opinion aRTICLE
PEEK experts discuss the power of passion in the quest to innvoate new medical devices
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References

1. Webinar: PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced Devices for Cervical and Lumbar Fusion: Insights from Early Clinical Experience, presented by Timothy Bassett, MD and Brad Prybis, MD, March 2, 2017.
2. Study evaluated the bone ongrowth of PEEK-OPTIMA™ Natural and PEEK-OPTIMA™ HA Enhanced in a bone defect model in sheep. Data on file at Invibio. This has not been correlated with human clinical data.
3. Vadapalli S, Sairyo K, Goel VK, Robon M, Biyani A, Khandha A, Ebraheim NA. Biomechanical rationale for using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) spacers for lumbar interbody fusion-A finite element study. Spine 2006 Dec 15;31(26):E992-8.
4. Ziao Z, Wang L, Gong H, Zhu D. Biomechanical evaluation of three surgical scenarios of posterior lumbar interbody fusion by finite element analysis. Biomed Eng Online. 2012 Jun 18;11(1):31.