High flux hollow fiber membrane
AssigneeW. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
InventorsChaokang Chu, Bernard S. Liang, Ann L. Ly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A morphologically heterogeneous, hydrophobic polysulfone hollow fiber membrane comprising a sponge-like dense inner surface permeable to molecules of less than or equal to 30,000 Daltons, said inner surface having a fraction surface porosity from about 70 to about 80%; and an outer surface having large pores ranging from about 6 to about 16 .mu.m in diameter and small pores less than 500.ANG. in diameter and a fractional surface porosity from about 20 to about 30%; a method for producing same and a hemodialysis treatment method and apparatus incorporating same.
Claims22
A morphologically heterogenous, hydrophobic polysulfone hollow fiber membrane comprising a sponge-like dense inner surface permeable to molecules of less than or equal to 30,000 Daltons, said inner surface having a fractional surface porosity from about 70 to about 80%;
- and an outer surface having large pore sizes ranging from about 6 to about 16 .mu.m in diameter and small pore sizes less than 500.uparw. in diameter and a fractional surface porosity ranging from about 20 to about 30%.
A process for manufacturing a heterogenous, hydrophobic polysulfone hollow fiber, comprising the steps of:
- a) mixing:
- i. 15-30% by weight polysulfone,
- ii. 30-65% by weight solvent, and
- iii. 20-50% by weight compatible polymer to form a casting solution;
- b) pumping said casting solution and a coagulant solution through separate bores of a spinnerette to form fibers;
- c) dry-jet-wet spinning said fibers;
- d) submerging said fibers in a coagulation bath, a wash bath to remove excess solvents, and a glycerinization bath;
- e) drying said fibers to remove excess fluid.
A method for detoxifying human blood by filtering said blood through a dialyzer comprising a morphologically heterogenous, hydrophobic polysulfone hollow fiber membrane comprising a sponge-like dense inner surface permeable to molecules of less than or equal to 30,000 Daltons, said inner surface having a fractional surface porosity from about 70 to about 80%;
- and an outer surface having a large pore sizes ranging from about 6 to about 16 .mu.m in diameter and small pore sizes less than 500.ANG. in diameter and a fractional surface porosity ranging from about 20 to about 30%.
A dialyzer comprising means for filtering body fluid prepared by forming a bundle of morphologically heterogenous, hydrophobic polysulfone hollow fiber membranes each comprising a sponge-like dense inner surface permeable to molecules of less than or equal to 30,000 Daltons, said inner surface having a fractional surface porosity from about 70 to about 80%;
- and an outer surface having large pore sizes ranging from about 6 to abut 16 .mu.m in diameter and small pore sizes less than 500.ANG. in diameter and a fractional surface porosity ranging from about 20 to about 30%;
- and fixing both ends of said bundle in a housing comprising an inlet and an outlet for transmitting blood through the fibers and dialysis solution around the outside of the fibers.
A morphologically heterogenous polysulfone hollow fiber membrane produced by the process comprising the steps of:
- a) mixing:
- i. 15-30% by weight polysulfone,
- ii. 30-65% by weight solvent, and
- iii. 20-50% by weight compatible polymer to form a casting solution.
- b) pumping said casting solution and a coagulant solution through separate bores of a spinnerette to form fibers;
- c) dry-jet-wet spinning said fibers;
- d) submerging said fibers in a coagulation bath, a wash bath to remove excess solvents, and a glycerinization bath;
- e) drying said fibers to remove excess fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.