Polyester Polymer Alloy as a High-Performance Membrane

Polyester polymer alloy (PEPA) membrane is developed as a synthetic polymer membrane. It consists of two polymers - polyethersulfone (PES) and polyarylate (PAR). The pore size in membrane can be controlled by a blend ratio of PES and PAR. One unique characteristic is that PEPA membrane has three layers of a skin layer on the inner surface, a porous layer in the membrane, and a skin layer on the outer surface, respectively. The permeability of water and substances is controlled by the skin layer on the inner surface. PEPA membrane dialyzer can be adequately considered as a high-performance dialyzer. Furthermore, the skin layer on the outer surface can block endotoxin from the dialysis fluid side. PEPA membrane can therefore be used as an endotoxin-retentive filter. The other unique characteristic is that each amount of albumin loss or beta(2)-microglobulin removal can be controlled by an additive amount of polyvinyl pyrrolidone. This means that the PEPA dialyzer can be clinically used to meet the conditions of the patient. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel