The Japanese Journal of Clinical Dialysis Vol.20 No.5(3)

Theme Biocompatibility on Materials for Dialysis Equipments and Devices
Title Mechanism for PS/PVP membranes to achieve excellent biocompatibility
Publish Date 2004/05
Author Masayo Hayama Department of Chemical Engineering, Waseda University
Author Kiyotaka Sakai Department of Chemical Engineering, Waseda University
Author Makoto Fukuda Asahi Medical Co., Ltd.
Author Tatsuo Hiyoshi Asahi Medical Co., Ltd.
[ Summary ] Polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) blended polysulfone (PS) dialysis membranes have excellent biocompatibility. The objective of this study is to reveal the mechanisms of how PS/PVP membranes achieve high biocompatibility. Dry and wet inner surfaces of PS/PVP hollow-fiber dialysis membranes were observed and the structural changes between dry and wet conditions were evaluated quantitatively by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Surface morphology was related to biocompatibility. The excellent biocompatibility of PS/PVP membranes is supported by the "cushion effect" of soft polymer particles.
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