OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of polymers polysulfone membrane filter and its biocompatibility with the host after implantation, and to provide evidence for its clinical application.
METHODS: Using “hemodialysis, dialysis membrane materials, histocompatibility, blood compatibility, polyethersulfone” in English and in Chinese as the key words, a computer search was performed between January 2006 and March 2010. Articles related with the biomaterial’s compatibility with host were included; duplicated studies or Meta analysis articles were excluded. Totally 30 articles mainly discussed the properties and applications of polysulfone membrane filter material.
RESULTS: At present, various types of new membrane materials are continuously developing, some have already applied in clinical practice or comes soon, such as vitamin E modified dialysis membrane, polymyxin B modified dialysis membrane, chitin membrane, human kidney dialysis devices, and bioactive membrane. Polysulfone membrane filters have been widely used in clinical practice due to good biocompatibility and sealing effect.
CONCLUSION: Through strong convection and adhesion effect of polymers, the polysulfone membrane filter can efficiently clear inflammatory transmitter and toxic metabolite products produced in tissue injury process, exclude excess water retained in body, maintain the water, electrolyte and acid-base balance, achieve internal environment stability, improve the function of important organs, regulate immune system. Although polysulfone membrane filters have been widely used, they inevitably exhibit poor compatibility, and can cause inflammation in nearby tissues, result in disease, hemolysis or clotting phenomena. Ideal membrane filter materials, whether the material itself or its degradation products, can produce no inflammation and toxicity, the occluder with good biocompatibility needs further development.