Hydroxyapatite whisker-reinforced polyetherketoneketone bone ingrowth scaffolds.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) whisker-reinforced polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) bone ingrowth scaffolds were prepared and characterized. High levels of porosity (75-90%) and HA whisker reinforcement (0-40 vol.%) were attained using a powder processing approach to mix the HA whiskers, PEKK powder and a NaCl porogen, followed by compression molding at 350-375 degrees Celsius and particle leaching to remove the porogen. The scaffold architecture and microstructure exhibited characteristics known to be favorable for osteointegration. Scaffold porosity was interconnected with a mean pore size in the range 200-300 microm as measured by micro-computed tomography. HA whiskers were embedded within and exposed on the surface of scaffold struts, producing a microscale surface topography, shown by von Kossa staining and scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, HA whisker-reinforced PEKK bone ingrowth scaffolds may be advantageous for orthopedic implant fixation, including interbody spinal fusion. Copyright 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.