Preparation of blood-compatible hollow fibers from a polymer alloy composed of polysulfone and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer.
Blood-compatible hollow fibers were successfully prepared from a polymer alloy composed of polysulfone (PSf) and the 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer. To improve the hydrophilicity, fouling-resistance characteristics, and blood compatibility of the PSf hollow fiber in a hemodialyzer, an MPC polymer that can be blended with PSf was synthesized in order to prepare the polymer alloy (PSf/MPC polymer). The contents of the MPC polymer blended in the PSf were 7 and 15 wt%. The PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber could be prepared by both wet and dry-wet processing methods. The hollow fiber took an asymmetric structure, that is, the hollow-fiber membrane had a dense skin layer on the porous sponge-like structure. The mechanical strength was higher than that of conventional PSf hollow fibers for hemodialysis. The surface characterization of the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the MPC units were concentrated at the surface. The permeability for solutes through the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fibers was measured for 4 h. The permeabilities of both a low-molecular-weight compound and protein were greater than those of the PSf hollow fibers. The amount of adsorbed protein was lower on the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber when compared to that of the PSf hollow fiber. Moreover, platelet adhesion was also effectively inhibited on the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber. Based on these results, the addition of the MPC polymer to the PSf is a very useful method to improve the functions and blood compatibility of the hollow fiber.
Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan.
Takashi
T
Hasegawa
Yasuhiko
Y
Iwasaki
Kazuhiko
K
Ishihara
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000592:standards*; D001769:Blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D011108:Polymers / Q000592:standards*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013450:Sulfones
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001798:Blood Proteins; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D013450:Sulfones; D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C017662:polysulfone P 1700; C070638:2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine