Test of Designing and Manufacturing a Polyether Ether Ketone Endoprosthesis for Canine Extremities by 3D Printing

Total limb amputation is quite common in small animals, although most of the indicated pathologies do not need such a restrictive procedure. Exo-endoprosthesis is a suggested alternative for the enhancement of the biomechanical situation of these patients. 3D printing of the internal part of exo-endoprostheses in polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is evaluated. Two different shapes of this internal part—one for radius’ and the other for cylindrical medullary cavities—were assessed. Proper PEEK temperature settings for 3D printing, the internal part of exo-endoprostheses, by fused filament fabrication (FFF) were obtained. Printing trials were carried out for different dimensions and printing orientation of these parts to achieve the best bone anchorage and thread strength outcomes. Pull-off strength tests for different surfaces of the internal part were performed with a best outcome for positive surfaces. All printed internal parts were inserted in canine tibiae and radii for an ex vivo assessment of bone anchorage and thread strength parameters. The best printing results were obtained at 410 and 130°C of the nozzle and bed temperatures, respectively. Also, a positive correlation was observed between the printing code, quality, and take-off time, while inverse correlation was shown between the take-off and the printing code, or quality, just like the print-bed temperature and the printing code. The positive surfaces had the best pull-off strength outcomes. Excellent bone anchorage and thread strength outcomes were obtained for one variant of each internal part shape. Designed devices had shown good threaded rod’s fitting inside the PEEK plug and perfect bone anchorage of the PEEK plug for tibiae and radii. In addition, iteration of manufacturing PEEK small devices by FFF technology has been shown due to small standard deviation of most variants.