Modeling of solute sorption by polyvinyl chloride plastic infusion bags

Methods for estimating the equilibrium and time-dependent sorption of solutes by polymeric containers have been developed. The methods are specifically applied to the sorption of solutes by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) infusion bags. The methods correlate the partition coefficients and dissociation constant (when appropriate) of the solute, the physical dimensions of the container, and solution pH with single parameters that dictate the shape of the sorption profile. To determine the equilibrium sorption level for PVC containers, the fractional binding of a solute is correlated with its hexane-water and octanol-water partition coefficients. Calculations based on single partition coefficients are less effective in terms of mimicking the behavior of the PVC. To determine the sorption profile (fractional binding versus time), the partition coefficients are related to the fraction binding at a particular time through a single parameter referred to as the sorption number. Equilibrium fractional binding and sorption profiles for various drugs stored in PVC containers are generated with the models and agree well with reported behavior. The effect of pH on the sorption process is also examined.