CFR-PEEK

Development, test and verification of a suitable process for surface treatment with titanium coating for a cage made of fiber-reinforced PEEK.

The aim is to develop a CFR-PEEK cage with a thin titanium coating. Compared to existing solutions (titanium, PEEK), a completely new approach will be taken: CFR-PEEK will make the cage more stable while maintaining high elasticity. In order to optimize the ingrowth behavior, a surface treatment by plasma etching and additionally a thin and homogeneous titanium coating by sputtering is used. This allows the development of an optimal coating thickness, defined roughness and porosity for optimized cell growth even in the cavities of the cage and improved imaging. The layers exhibit high adhesion under mechanical stress and during insertion. The design must be well matched to the contour of the vertebral body endplates according to the material and optimized by the project partners in coordination with the roughness and coating produced. The NMI will be responsible for developing the surface treatment and coating process and intends to commercialize it. Silony is developing the design of the cage and the insertion instrumentation in parallel and will commercialize the cage.