Optimization of Process Parameters for Filament Fabrication of PEKK & Si3N4-PEKK for TK Arthroplasty
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
3:00 PM-5:00 PM
BIOMED PhD Research Proposal
Title:
Optimization of Process Parameters for Filament Fabrication of PEKK and Si3N4-PEKK for Total Knee (TK) Arthroplasty
Speaker:
Tabitha Derr, PhD Candidate
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Drexel University
Advisor:
Steven Kurtz, PhD
Research Professor
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Drexel University
Details:
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a procedure in which the knee joint is replaced by an artificial implant to reduce pain and restore mobility. With the aging population and increases in obesity and osteoarthritis, TKA is becoming increasingly frequent. Despite years of development, instability, loosening and infection remain the most common causes of implant failure leading to revision surgery. Therefore, it remains imperative to address these remaining concerns to ensure successful outcomes of TKA.
Traditionally, TKA is composed of cobalt-chromium and titanium femoral and tibial components that are fused to the bone with an articulating polyethylene insert positioned between them. With increasing concerns of stress shielding and wear of metallic implants, interest has shifted to PAEK materials that are bioinert and have mechanical properties more similar to bone. Additionally, these materials can be additively manufactured via fused filament fabrication (FFF), enabling faster and cheaper production as well as architecture that supports osseointegration to reduce risks of loosening and instability. An emerging PAEK in the medical field is polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). This polymer has lower processing temperatures than other widely used PAEKs, easing manufacturing pressures. Furthermore, PEKK’s antibacterial and osseointegrative properties can be enriched through the addition of a bioactive filler. Silicon nitride (Si3N4) has been shown to have both antibacterial and osseointegrative properties. Therefore, incorporating Si3N4 into a PEKK composite allows for the combination of PEKK’s superior mechanical properties with Si3N4’s antimicrobial and osseointegrative benefits.
To effectively use PEKK and Si3N4-PEKK implants created via FFF in TKA applications, they must have adequate mechanical properties while retaining accurate dimensions. Therefore, it is necessary to better understand their FFF processing requirements, specifically how their processing affects the resultant mechanical strengths and dimensional tolerances. This research aims to investigate and optimize the FFF processing and post-processing of PEKK and Si3N4-PEKK, in an effort to improve the understanding of potential new biomaterials for TKA applications.
Contact Information
Natalia Broz
njb33@drexel.edu