Abstract
A hydrophilized polyethylene membrane plasma separator (OP-02) has been recently developed and compared with the existing cellulose membrane plasma separator (AP-02) while used for plasma perfusion under Puthan anticoagulation. OP-02 has a better sieving coefficient than AP-02. Moreover, a new polyethylene hollow fiber membrane filter for plasma perfusion, with effective area of 0.07M2and a pore size of 0.2-0.3μm, has been developed. It has both the capacity of a drip chamber to remove air bubbles and the capacity of a filter to remove microparticles. Basic studies of the filter indicated that 3 L of bovine plasma passed through the new filter at the flow rate of 40ml/min below 20mm Hg in perfusion pressure and that an injection of 5ml of air before the filter increased the perfusion pressure up to 50mm Hg; the perfusion, however, remained smooth. The function of removing microparticles or platelets mixed with perfusate showed satisfactory results in vitro and in vivo experiments. The new membrane plasma separator and the new filter contribute greatly to safe, efficient, easy-to-handle, and microembolie-free plasma perfusion.
