[Porous tarflen as a possible membrane material in membrane blood oxygenators. I. Structural properties]

Hydrophobic porous teflon membranes are one of the most promising types applied in membrane oxygenators. The usefulness of porous tarflen materials (tarflen--Polish name of teflon produced by Zakłady Azotowe in Tarnów, Poland) for this application was evaluated by comparing their properties with those of American porous teflon membranes used in membrane oxygenators. Structural properties of tarflen materials were examined. The character of the surface of the examined materials is shown in the scanning electron micrographs. Tests of wettability of the materials by water, plasma and blood were also performed. It was found all the studied tarflen samples are macroporous. Their structure, as compared to the other materials, is simple. Values of water entry pressure show that the best tarflen samples for application in membrane oxygenators are those which are made of the smallest fraction of granulated tarflen product. It was found that plasma proteins do not adsorb on the tarflen surface.