Invibio Biomaterial Solutions, part of Victrex, a developer of PEEK biomaterial solutions, has launched PEEK-OPTIMA AM Filament, an implantable PEEK polymer that is optimised for additive manufacturing.
Importantly, the launch of PEEK-OPTIMA AM filament by Invibio makes available the implantable-grade PEEK-OPTIMA polymer in a form developed for Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) additive manufacturing processes.
The new PEEK-OPTIMA AM filament expands Invibio’s portfolio of biocompatible polymers, that are available in forms including powders, granules and rods for processing methods including injection moulding.
Additive manufacturing for medical devices
Additive manufacturing offers a new way to develop parts at speed in a cost-efficient way, and with near-zero wastage. Additive manufacturing methods provide technical advantages, such as the ability to build complex geometries during fabrication and easily integrate several components into one part. In response to the growing trend for 3D-printed medical devices, the FDA has published technical guidance to medical device designers and manufacturers, and Invibio can support device OEMs with navigating regulatory pathways for PEEK-OPTIMA additive-manufactured devices.
Patient benefits
The additional format of PEEK-OPTIMA allows hospital facilities to custom-make PEEK devices in-house, at the point of care, with FDM/FFF-compatible machines, which brings numerous advantages to patients and healthcare professionals, particularly in specialties such as CMF, which demand design precision and manufacture at speed.
Dr John Devine, medical business director at Invibio, said: “Invibio’s new PEEK-OPTIMA AM filament has been launched to support medical device manufacturers as they assess the FFF/FDM route of additive manufacturing to help support the next generation of devices for a variety of demanding medical applications, such as CMF devices, spinal and orthopaedic implants.
“We are excited to be able to offer the industry a 3D-printable form of PEEK-OPTIMA polymer – a material that has already been implanted into more than 15 million patients worldwide. As 3D printing becomes a realistic option for developing medical devices and implants for a growing number of medical device manufacturers and hospitals, the industry must now select high quality, high-performance biomaterials to enable commercialisation of the next generation of medical devices.”
PEEK-OPTIMA LT1 AM filament is a 1.75mm monofilament and is compatible with FDM/FFF machines, optimised for 3D printing of medical devices, and is available worldwide, directly from Invibio.