Functionalized Hemodialysis Polysulfone Membranes with Improved Hemocompatibility

Abstract

The field of membrane materials is one of the most dynamic due to the continuously changing requirements regarding the selectivity and the upgradation of the materials developed with the constantly changing needs. Two membrane processes are essential at present, not for development, but for everyday life—desalination and hemodialysis. Hemodialysis has preserved life and increased life expectancy over the past 60–70 years for tens of millions of people with chronic kidney dysfunction. In addition to the challenges related to the efficiency and separative properties of the membranes, the biggest challenge remained and still remains the assurance of hemocompatibility—not affecting the blood during its recirculation outside the body for 4 h once every two days. This review presents the latest research carried out in the field of functionalization of polysulfone membranes (the most used polymer in the preparation of membranes for hemodialysis) with the purpose of increasing the hemocompatibility and efficiency of the separation process itself with a decreasing impact on the body.

Polymeric Membranes for Biomedical Applications

“…The major drawbacks of using semipermeable membranes in hemodialysis are the hemocompatibility through blood exposure to the membrane’s material, which could lead to activation of proinflammatory molecules, and the incapacity of successfully removing some larger toxins molecules [ 44 ]. The development of upgraded hemodialysis membranes for increased hemocompatibility and anticoagulant properties was reported [ 44 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. These membranes were obtained from natural or synthetic polymers, such as polysulfone (PSF) [ 55 , 56 , 57 ], polyethersulfone (PES) [ 58 , 59 ], polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) [ 60 , 61 , 62 ], cellulose triacetate (CTA) [ 63 , 64 , 65 ], polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) [ 66 , 67 ], polyacrylonitrile (PAN) [ 53 , 68 ], and polyamide (PA) [ 67 ].…”

“…The main disadvantage of PSF is its hydrophobic nature, which favors the molecule adhesion on the membrane surface, inducing blood clot formation [ 76 ]. In the past years, researchers investigated the functionalization of PSF in order to increase surface hydrophilicity, resulting in improved hemocompatibility and antifouling properties [ 54 , 77 ]. Polyether sulfone (PES) has similar properties as PSF, with great oxidative, thermal and mechanical properties [ 78 ].…”

Preparation and surface modification of ultrahigh throughput tannic acid coblended polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes for hemodialysis

“…Current hemodialysis membranes have two main disadvantages. First, contact between the dialysis membrane and the blood can cause a series of blood stress cascades, and the dialysis membrane needs to have excellent biocompatibility 4,5 ; Second, the dialysis membrane is not effective in removing certain intermediate molecular weight toxins 6–9 …”

“…First, contact between the dialysis membrane and the blood can cause a series of blood stress cascades, and the dialysis membrane needs to have excellent biocompatibility 4,5 ; Second, the dialysis membrane is not effective in removing certain intermediate molecular weight toxins. [6][7][8][9] In recent years, coblending modification, surface functional group grafting, and surface coating have been frequently used to modify polymeric hemodialysis membranes. [10][11][12] The membranes used for hemodialysis include superhydrophilic membranes, bionic membranes, and mixed matrix membranes.…”

Recent Advances in Stimuli-Responsive Doxorubicin Delivery Systems for Liver Cancer Therapy

“…Materials science with its interdisciplinary character has provided a lot of solutions in the field of biomedical sciences for different applications in recent decades, solving a lot of problems that were previously impossible to address. In the twentieth century, membranes for hemodialysis appeared for kidney failure disease [ 26 , 27 ], a large number of materials were discovered for tissue engineering from soft materials [ 28 , 29 , 30 ] to composites for bone repair and regeneration [ 31 , 32 ], or even solutions that minimize the impact of the health system through the environment and everyday life in terms of waste. One of the applications that attracted the interest of researchers in the field of materials for drug delivery.…”