The aim of this study was to evaluate the dosimetric impact caused by stabilization devices in carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF / PEEK), compared to conventional titanium (Ti) implants, for post-operative therapy with particles. (PT). In particular, the treatment plans of nine real patients (seven with CF / PEEK stabilization and two with Ti stabilization) were retrospectively analyzed to assess the dosimetric impact that could occur in the event of improper management of the spinal implant. As expected, the CF / PEEK screws caused very little beam perturbation compared to the Ti screws, leading to less dose degradation. Furthermore, the CF / PEEK devices did not determine appreciable HU artifacts on the CT images, thus improving the image quality and, as a result, the accuracy of the dose calculation. CF / PEEK spinal fixation devices were found to be more suitable dosimetrically than the Ti implants commonly used for post-operative PT.

This study investigated whether polyetheretherketone-reinforced carbon fiber intramedullary nails (CFR-PEEK) decreased artifacts on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in vitro and in a cancer patient. A qualitative assessment of the metal artifact was performed using magnetic resonance phantoms in CFR-PEEK and titanium nails. The CFR-PEEK images were compared with images of a comparative group of titanium femoral nail patients who had performed an MRI or postoperative CT scan. A musculoskeletal radiologist evaluated visualization of the cortex, corticomedullary junction and bone-muscle interface, substantially less MR signal loss occurred in the CFR-PEEK phantom compared to the titanium phantom, The CFR-PEEK nails they had fewer MRI artifacts than titanium nails. CFR-PEEK intramedullary nail fixation is a superior alternative to minimize implant artifacts on MRI or CT for patients requiring long bone fixation.

This study presents the preliminary results of the first carbon screw implantation in trans-pedicle fusion in Switzerland. Artifacts due to metal devices often hinder the post-operative assessment of the onset of spinal pathologies. In particular, the exploration of neural structures can be difficult. This study evaluated the clinical performance of a new carbon / PEEK pedicle screw system. These early clinical results compare well with other series reported in the literature evaluating the results of instrumented spinal fusions. The use of CF / PEEK composite pedicle screws. CF / PEEK reduced artifacts in computed tomography and especially in MRI. This can facilitate post-operative evaluation of spinal structures, post-operative, or late complications.

Screw and rod fixation is often the initial therapy in cases of destructive spinal tumors, before starting radiotherapy. However, instrumentation made of titanium or other metals can cause bothersome artifacts in post-operative CT or MRI scans. The newly designed pedicle screws, made of polyetheretherketone enhanced with carbon fiber (CF / PEEK), compensate for this inconvenience by reducing the amount of metal in the vicinity of the tumor region and the neural structures within the spinal canal. The carbon implant can significantly reduce disturbance artifacts in post-operative imaging. This allows for targeted treatment planning and surveillance. In addition, the modulus of elasticity, close to that of cortical bone, and the ultra-thin titanium coating of the screw threads ensure good osseointegration.