Introduction & Organizers

The 4^th International PEEK Meeting was convened from April 25 to 26, 2019 in Washington, DC, USA at the Cosmos Club. The conference was hosted by the Implant Research Center of Drexel University in collaboration with Exponent, Inc., with support provided by Invibio Biomaterial Solutions™.

Conference Purpose

The purpose of the conference was to bring together engineers, scientists, regulators, and clinicians from academia, industry, and government agencies for the presentation of leading edge research on advancements in medical grade polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer technology and clinical applications.

Although all scientific studies, clinical applications and innovations related to the broad family of medical grade PAEKs were welcomed at the conference, the majority of submissions were expected to be related to implantable PEEK and its composites.

The first day of the conference included focused sessions on regulatory aspects of PEEK medical devices, organized in collaboration with scientists from FDA.

Focused Topics

The 4^thInternational PEEK Meeting focused on identifying and closing gaps in the regulatory science for medical grade PEEK technology and clinical applications including:

• Additive manufacturing of PEEK and its composites
• Innovations in orthopaedic bearings
• Bioactive PEEK composites
• Spinal rods and artificial disc applications
• Formulations for dental, trauma, and arthroscopic implants
• Structural composites and woven fiber applications
• Biologic aspects of wear debris

Key Questions Addressed during the Conference

• What are the existing gaps in the regulatory science of PEEK biomaterials applications and how can they be addressed?
• What are the latest advances for additive manufacturing of PEEK and its composites?
• What is the future role for PEEK in total knee arthroplasty?
• What are the advancements in PEEK spinal implants?
• How does PEEK wear under adverse tribological conditions?
• What new PEEK technologies have recently emerged for bone ingrowth?
• What is the future role for PEEK in dental and trauma implants?

Scientific and Organizing Committee

Steven Kurtz, Ph.D., Implant Research Center, Drexel University and Exponent, Inc. Joanne Tipper, Ph.D., University of Technology Sydney
Jeremy Gilbert, Ph.D., Clemson University
Katherine Kavlock, Ph.D., US FDA CDRH (Center for Devices and Radiological Health)
John Bowsher, Ph.D., US FDA CDRH

Implantable PEEK polymers pioneering further progress

A wave of recent research projects presented at the latest International PEEK Meeting* in Washington, D.C., has highlighted the increasing adoption of PEEK implants in clinical practice as well as the material´s established position due to possible patient benefits.

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International PEEK Meeting Programs

First International PEEK Meeting 2013

2nd International PEEK Meeting 2015

3rd International PEEK Meeting 2017

4th International PEEK Meeting 2019

To learn more about implantable PEEK, please visit MedicalPEEK.org

• Summaries of publications and reports dating back to 2006
• Latest standards published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
• PEEK-related papers presented at conferences dating back to 2007
• Additional Resources