Method and system of controlling cell functions on 3D printed and 3D manufactured materials modified with lipases

Abstract

Implantable devices having rougher surfaces and more surface area can be made of polymers such as PEEK or PAEK using a 3D printing process. The 3D implantable devices can be soaked in a lipase solution to etch the surface which can alter the surface energy, surface roughness, and atomic composition. After the lipase solution soaking, the 3D printed implantable devices can be removed from the solution and thoroughly rinsed with a cleaning fluid such as an acetone solution. The outer surfaces of the lipase treated 3D printed implantable device can also be surface activated by UV light or other photocatalytic activity to decrease bacteria attachment and growth. The surface energy of the resulting 3D printed implantable devices enhances patient ingrowth resulting in a faster recovery.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.