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Dissertation
Development and fabrication of silver composite PEEK to prevent microbial attachment and periprosthetic infection
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jul 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3843
Abstract
Periprosthetic infection is a rare, yet devastating, and sometimes life-threatening complication to medical device implantation and is associated with increased hospital cost, length of hospitalization, and multiple surgical interventions. Since the early 1990s, the utilization of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been rising across the spine and orthopaedic industries, and therefore, their protection from infection becomes a high priority. Because Ag particulates have well-established antimicrobial properties and thermal stability, the feasibility of creating Ag-PEEK composites with nano-scale Ag (nanoAg), micro-scale porous Ag ([mu]Ag), and Agphosphate (Zr2K) particulates for infection control was examined. To analyze and predict Ag+ release, an analytical model for the release of Ag+ from the composite materials was also developed. The PEEK matrix was loaded with target filler ratios of 2, 5, and 10 w/w% of Ag particulate; however, particle aggregation occurred as well as lower than expected weight ratios were obtained. When Ag-loaded matrices with up to 5% Ag particulate were incubated with S. aureus or E. coli, no reduction in surface adherent bacteria was observed as measured by direct counting. When filler ratios were increased to 10%, significant reduction (p[less than or equal to]0.03) occurred in approximately 5 out of 12 trials for each filler type. In Ag elution trials, nanoAg and [mu]Ag PEEK composites sustained linear and long-term release of Ag at inhibitory concentrations for S. Aureus and E. Coli. Zr2k composites released Ag rapidly within the first 48 hr; however, release decreased quickly beyond 96 hours. Ag+ elution profiles were much lower than model predictions until an agglomeration coefficient was included to account for suspected particle aggregation. The results reported lay a foundation for developing bactericidal PEEK composites with an integrated reservoir of antibacterial agents to maintain long-term efficacy. With process optimization, the Ag content of PEEK may be tuned to achieve sustainable, bactericidal levels of Ag+ release in the future.
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Details
- Title
- Development and fabrication of silver composite PEEK to prevent microbial attachment and periprosthetic infection
- Creators
- David Joseph Jaekel - DU
- Contributors
- Steven M. Kurtz (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3843; 991014632443404721