Development of polyetherurethane sheet embedded with powdered charcoal for use in hemoperfusion

This article describes the development of a polyetherurethane sheet embedded with powdered charcoal ( UPC ) for use in a hemoperfusion system. The UPC was 200 micron thick and the release of microparticles could be limited. The powdered charcoal used was selected for optimum pore size distribution and particle size (10-40 micron) to provide a maximum adsorption of bilirubin. The results of an in vitro adsorption test with this material showed an adsorption of bilirubin approximately 14 and 6 times higher than those by bead-type charcoal and XAD-7, respectively. Jaundiced dogs were subjected to direct hemoperfusion through a UPC column containing 36 g powdered charcoal. Effective decreases in bilirubin were observed, giving the maximum removal amounts of 78% in conjugated bilirubin and 76% in unconjugated bilirubin.