Surface Modification of PEEK to Improve Osseointegration - the Effect on Bacterial Adhesion

摘要

Increasing the surface energy of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) by oxygen plasma treatment has been shown to enhance osteoblast cytocompatibility'. However, with longer plasma exposure times we have found that pitting can occur, resulting in a rougher surface1. Previously, we reported increased bacterial adhesion with increasing roughness on untreated PEEK2. The effect of altering both topography and chemistry of PEEK by oxygen plasma on bacterial adhesion has yet to be reported and will be examined in this in vitro study.