Abstract
Encapsulation of hepatocytes has made remarkable improvement of hepatocyte viability which is a limiting factor of the efficiency of the hybrid-type artificial liver support system. A new rotating-disc type module was constructed using film-shaped hydrogel containing hepatocytes of rats. In vitro mass transfer and perfusion experiments revealed that the death rate constant as an index of the hepatocyte viability change, as well as the metabolic reaction rate constant increased as the speed of rotation of the disk increased. Direct hemoperfusion experiment on hepatic failure rabbits showed comparatively satisfactory capability of this module to eliminate plasma ammonium.
