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Dialysis membranes for blood purification
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
Frontiers of Medical and Biological Engineering : the International Journal of the Japan Society of Medical Electronics and Biological Engineering
|July 18, 2000
Summary
Artificial membranes, widely used in industry and medicine, are crucial for artificial kidneys performing hemodialysis. These dialysis membranes cleanse blood by removing toxins and excess substances for patients with renal failure.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nephrology
Background:
- Artificial membranes have diverse industrial applications, including reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and gas separation.
- These membranes also possess significant therapeutic applications, most notably in artificial organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical role of blood purification and hemodialysis.
- To provide an overview of dialysis membranes, their function, and materials used.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of hemodialysis as a physicochemical process for cleansing the blood.
- Description of hollow-fiber dialyzers and their membrane structure.
Main Results:
- Hemodialysis membranes are essential for removing uremic toxins, excess ions, and water in renal failure patients.
- Over 70 million square meters of dialysis membranes are utilized globally each year, predominantly in hollow-fiber dialyzers.
Conclusions:
- Dialysis membranes are a cornerstone of treatment for renal failure, representing the largest volume of artificial membranes used worldwide.
- The review covers blood purification, hemodialysis, and the specifics of dialysis membrane technology.