DEVELOPMENT OF NON-COMPLEMENT ACTIVATING MEMBRANE OF REGENERATED CELLULOSE FOR HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

A new cellulose membrane in which the active hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of the original cellulose fibers are masked with cationic synthetic polymers has been developed. The membrane was shown by in vitro and clinical tests to effect very little activation of the complement system, and retains the high dialysis efficiency, good tolerance to steam autoclave sterilization of the original cellulose membrane. The new cellulose provides the optimum combination of qualities necessary in a membrane for hemodialysis.