Active Implants & Drug Delivery

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

Medical devices

Overview

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

20+

fast fact

Proven clinical history

Invibio has 20+ years of proven clinical history in supporting our partners to bring implantable medical devices to market

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Video

Discover how to push the limits of drug delivery to the lungs in a concept for a next generation vaporizing inhaler made with PEEK

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Video

PEEK has the potential to drive innovation in smart, connected wearable health tech devices, for example in wearable patch pumps for diabetes management

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Expert opinion

Material selection for medical electronics

In this article, we highlight the growing array of applications for high-performance polymers in electronic and connected medical devices and how proper material selection is crucial

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Megatrends

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?

Applications

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 implants

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

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

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.

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Need help with material selection?

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.