Dialysis membrane of modified cellulose with improved biocompatibility

Abstract

A dialysis membrane used for hemodialysis having a structure comprised of flat films, blown films or tubular threads of substitution-modified cellulose, in which the effects of complement activation and leukopenia are clearly reduced. The average degree of substitution of the modified cellulose is 0.02 to 0.07. Dialysis membranes, which have proven successful within the scope of the invention, contain modified cellulose, having a structure represented by the formula cellulose-Z, wherein Z represents the group --R'--X--Y. X is at least one member selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## Y is at least one member selected from the group consisting of --R, --NR.sub.2, --Si(OR").sub.3, --SO.sub.3 H, --COOH, --PO.sub.3 H.sub.2, --N.sup.+ HR.sub.2, --OR" and the salts thereof. R' is at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkylenes cycloalkylenes and arylenes having a total of 1 to 25 carbon atoms. R" is a hydrogen atom or R. R is at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkyls with 1 to 5 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls and an aryls.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.