Characteristics of Toray’s continuous hemofiltration device

Abstract

Toray is marketing “HEMOFEEL CH” consisting of PMMA membrane and “HEMOFEEL SHG” consisting of polysulfone (PS) membrane as materials of hollow fiber membranes built in continuous hemofiltration devices. PMMA membrane in a uniform symmetrical structure has a unique characteristic of adsorbing proteins such as cytokines, which is not provided in PS membrane. The structure of PMMA membrane is designed optimally to improve adsorbability of cytokines and, it was demonstrated in in vitro circulation study that saturation adsorption does not occur even after 24 hours. PS membrane is blended with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which is a hydrophilic polymer, to prevent adhesion of blood components. We have shown that uniformity of surface distribution of PVP and mobility of hydrophilic polymer are largely responsible for adhesion of platelets. We succeeded in development of “HEMOFEEL SHG” with dramatically reduced platelet adhesion compared to existing products.