Polymethyl methacrylate membrane

Abstract

A membrane for microfiltration, ultrafiltration or dialysis comprises a methyl methacrylate copolymer containing about 0.5 to 10 mol % of a monomer having sulfonate groups, and a methyl methacrylate copolymer containing about 0.5 to 10 mol % of a monomer having quaternary nitrogen-containing groups. It is manufactured by mixing those copolymers, dissolving the mixture in a solvent such as dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide, and forming a membrane from a solution of the copolymers by casting or spinning. The membrane is particularly suitable for use in the purification of blood, and its most preferable form is hollow fibers. A method of preparing hollow fibers comprises extruding the copolymer solution through a spinneret having an annular orifice defined by a thin central tube while a liquid or gas is being injected into the central tube, and coagulating the extrusion product.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.