| [ Summary ] |
Polysulfone (PS) membrane dialyzers are most often used in the world and in Japan. This is because they are easily controlled in terms of pore size, and possibility of providing sieves' with close layers from non-uniform structures. It is also possible to make dialyzers with high removal abilities and high flux rates. PS alone is hydrophobic, hence a hydrophilizing agent is required. PVP is employed as a hydrophilizing agent. However, it has been reported that PVP may make PS membranes biocompatible. To provide biocompatibility, vitamin-E coated PS membrane dialyzers or new hydrophilizing polymer coated PS membrane dialyzers with high levels of biocompatibility have been developed. |