[Application of nanotechnology to hemodialysis membrane]

Almost forty years have passed from the start of hemodialysis therapy in Japan. A lot of numbers of dialysis patient have received the benefits from this therapy. In hemodialysis therapy, effective removal of uremic toxins and biocompatibility are required. Hemodialysis membrane plays the most important roles to achieve these requirements. Removal of uremic toxins and biocompatibility are influenced by solute permeability through hemodialysis membrane and characteristics of hemodialysis membrane surface keeping in contact with blood. This paper summarized nanostructure of hemodialysis membrane made from polysulfone adding polyvinylpyrrolidone from some reports, and process of membrane formation from polymer solution. Solute permeability has relation to pore size penetrating hemodialysis membrane, and biocompatibility has relation to swell of polymer particles on surface of hemodialysis membrane immersed in water.