Global meeting in Washington, D.C. puts spotlight on latest advances in the implementation of PEEK polymers for medical applications
Thornton Cleveleys (UK) – Leading-edge research into medical-grade PEEK* technology and its clinical applications will be presented at the 2nd International PEEK Meeting. Participants include engineers, scientists, regulators and clinicians from academia, industry and government agencies, worldwide. The meeting is sponsored by Invibio Biomaterial Solutions. The world-leading solutions provider of PEEK polymer-based biomaterials, a specialist in manufacturing and R&D for medical-device manufacturers, holds a pioneering role in advancing the application of PEEK.
Following the inaugural gathering of experts in 2013, this second meeting will feature more than 30 scientific papers from April 23-24 at the Cosmos Club in Washington D.C. It is organized by Steve Kurtz, Ph.D. of the Implant Research Center at Drexel University and Exponent, Inc. As chairman for the meeting, Steve Kurtz said in the run-up to the PEEK meeting: “I am enthusiastic about the feedback that we have been receiving from members of the medical device community, and I believe the regulatory workshop for example, will provide a unique perspective into this aspect of the industry.” This workshop is organized in collaboration with scientists from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Research projects that will be presented during the two day meeting include:
Invibio Biomaterial Solutions has been involved in many of these research projects, as the company holds a pioneering role in advancing the application of PEEK polymers in a range of therapeutic scenarios that include, notably, metal-replacement in the design of spinal implants and trauma plates. The mission of Invibio is to facilitate medical-device innovation – and by doing so support its customers’ overarching goal of enhancing patient care and quality of life – through a rigorous and continuously ongoing R&D program at its state-of-the-art ISO-certified laboratories located in Thornton Cleveleys, UK. Invibio also provides robust support to top biomaterial research institutions in conducting independent PEEK-related research.
“The last few years have seen fast accelerating global interest in the use of high-performance implantable PEEK polymers for medical devices,” commented John Devine, Medical Business Unit Director at Invibio. “The International PEEK meeting, which Invibio is proud to sponsor, not only gives researchers a cross-sector forum for sharing and discussing the latest advances in their R&D, it also gives our customers a better understanding of how PEEK-based compounds and processing techniques are enabling a quantum leap in the efficacy and quality of today’s medical implants and radically enhancing their therapeutic outcomes. At the same time, the meeting is a means to communicate practical advice for getting these new devices to market faster.”
More information about the meeting, sponsors and organizers can be found at Invibio Biomaterial Solutions on invibio.com and medicalpeek.org
* PEEK: Polyetheretherketone, a high performance polymer
Invibio™, a Victrex plc company, is a global leader in providing high performance biomaterial solutions to medical device manufacturers. The company provides PEEK-OPTIMA™ polymers, advanced technical research and support and manufacturing of components for spine, trauma and orthopaedic medical segments for the development of long implantable medical devices. Today, Invibio’s PEEK-OPTIMA™ polymers are used in more than five million implanted devices worldwide.
Victrex, headquartered in the UK, is an innovative world leader in high performance polymer solutions focused on the Aerospace, Automotive, Electronics, Energy and Medical markets. Every day, millions of people rely on products or applications which contain our polymers, from smartphones, airplanes and cars to oil & gas operations and medical devices. With over 35 years’ experience, we are investing in technical excellence to deliver leading edge solutions to our customers and our markets, and to drive value for our shareholders. Find out more at www.victrexplc.com
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