Biomimetic calcium phosphate biocompatibility

PARK are frequently used without surface modification. There are a significant number of papers and patents which describe PEEK modified with fillers such as hydroxyapatite (HA) or calcium phosphates, titanimn coatings or even biomimetic protein and peptide sequences. Some of these are described in reference [2]. However, in HA-filled PARK there is a trade-off between mechanical properties and modified biocompatibility. Various attempts have been made to overcome this limitation - for example by using HA coatings or HA whiskers [3, 4]. Biological modifications would be subject to extremely complex regulatory approval. In fact unmodified PEEK has been shown to be comparable in vitro with the bone forming capacity of titanium [5]. 

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