MUMC+ Advances Cranial Implant Technology with PEEK-OPTIMA 1 June 2010

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Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+) has developed a novel cranio-maxillofacial implant technology that uses an advanced polymer biomaterial, PEEK-OPTIMA®, from Invibio Biomaterial Solutions, to extend benefits to patients with severe malformation and defects of the skull and facial region. Patient-specific cranial implants are most commonly used to treat skull defects resulting from trauma, tumors and aneurysms. 

The PEEK-OPTIMA derived Patient Specific Implant (PSI) technology extends the range of patient/surgeon benefits beyond those of medical-grade titanium, the traditional biomaterial used for cranio-maxillofacial PSIs. The MUMC+ process uses CAD software to design the PSI to the individual cranio-maxillofacial contours of the patient. The customized implants are produced on-site, using a high speed milling fabrication process.

According to Maikel Beerens (B.Sc. in Medical Engineering), who initially designed and now markets Xilloc Medcial’s patient specific implants (PSI), PEEK-OPTIMA’s material characteristics and performance properties provide real and valuable surgeon/patient benefits that include:

  • Ideal biological properties very comparable to bone;
  • No stress shielding;
  • No conductibility of temperature;
  • Separation of PEEK from surrounding bone, which ensures the initial position of the implant
  • Proven biocompatibility and biostability,
  • Natural radiolucency and compatibility with medical imaging to monitor site healing

“The patient’s own removed bone segments are always the first choice for implantation. However, unfortunately only a few of those re-implantations succeed, leaving the patient with a defect. To reconstruct this defect in the best way possible the surgeon uses a patient specific implant. Although the use of PEEK is relatively new in the case of cranial implants, Invibio’s PEEK-OPTIMA is proven with over 10 years of history in a wide variety of different regulatory approved devices. Their verified biocompatibility and biostability is crucial for surgeons when choosing materials”, commented Peter Kessler (chair professor, Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, MUMC+).

The novel cranio-maxillofacial implant technology was co-developed by Maastricht University Medical Centre’s engineering department IDEE (Instrument Development Engineering & Evaluation), the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery and Maastricht Instruments (MI) and spin out into Xilloc Medical B.V..

About Invibio: Invibio® is a global leader providing high performance biomaterials, advanced technical research and consultative solutions to medical device manufacturers across a wide range of markets. The company provides medical device manufacturers with PEEK-OPTIMA® polymer and compounds, MOTIS™ polymer, ENDOLIGN® composite and PEEK-CLASSIX™ polymer for the development of long- and short-term implantable medical devices.