Abstract
A novel asymmetric hollow fiber of 6FDA polyimide has been fabricated for intravascular oxygenator (IVOX) device. A dry/wet phase in-version process has been applied to a spinning process to prepare an asymmetric polyimide hollow fiber. The outer surface of the hollow fiber consisted of an ultrathin skin layer. O2 and CO2 transfer rates of the polyimide hollow fiber were much larger than those determined in presently available polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hollow fiber and the transfer rates were similar to those measured in silicone-layer-coated polypropylene (Si-PP) hollow fiber. The hemocompatibility of the polyimide hollow fiber without heparinization has been evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The amount of platelets on the polyimide hollow-fiber surface measured in vitro was less than that on PDMS hollow fiber and Si-PP hollow fiber. The formation of thrombus estimated in vivo was not found. This means that the asymmetric polyimide hollow fiber shows excellent hemocompatibility.
