Summary
Advantages of a hollow-fiber hemodialyzer have been well described.1–3 The goal of this program was to provide a working model of a noncellulosic hollow fiber artificial kidney with nonthrombogenic blood-contacting surfaces, low blood-priming volume and low pressure drop, a satisfactory rate of urea transport, and high rate of ultrafiltration of water. Also, the reliability and utility of these devices was to be demonstrated through clinical evaluation.
To define materials for hollow fibers, preliminary studies were conducted with various membrane compositions including polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, ethylene/acrylate copolymers, nylon, and polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Membranes of modified PAN gave urea resistance values, in vitro, of 15 min/cm. In vivo testing, by medical collaborators at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Mass.,gave resistance values of 17 min/cm, which compared to a value of 19 min/cm for Bemberg Cuprophane. Ultrafiltration rates could be regulated up to 300 ml/min/m2 using a transmembrane pressure differential of only 25 mm Hg.
Using the results of our membrane research and our background knowledge of the spinnability of various polymeric materials, a modified PAN was selected as the prime candidate for development as a dialyzing hollow fiber. This material could readily be rendered nonthrombogenic by quaternizing groups in the polymer followed by ionic coupling with heparin.
Three multiple-bundle, parallel-flow dialyzing subscale artificial kidneys incorporating the modified PAN hollow fibers were prepared and tested in vitro and in vivo. Urea transport of the fiber was significantly lower than that observed in the membrane. However, the high rate of water ultrafiltration and the nonthrombogenic properties were confirmed.
To obtain greater simplicity and lower cost 1/6-scale single bundle dialyzers were then designed, fabricated, and tested. The units consisted of approximately 2000 modified PAN fibers having inside diameters of ∿300 microns, and 15-cm dialyzing length, which were encased in a disposable cartridge with nonthrombogenic blood-contacting surfaces. This sterilizable, disposable cartridge design is low in cost and lends itself to the ease of handling and operation necessary for patients on home dialysis.
Two of these single-bundle, hollow fiber prototype artificial kidney units were tested in vivo in patients suffering from chronic renal failure by Drs. Merrill, Hampers and Lowrie at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. These units were used independent of any other dialyzers, and demonstrated that the modified PAN hollow fiber kidneys were truly nonthrombogenic, provided a permeability of 0.01 to 0.015 cm/min (urea clearance of 34 ml/min), exhibited very high ultrafiltration (which was adjustable over any desired clinical range), and were of clinical utility.
Scale-up of the current design indicates that a full-size kidney of present fiber composition would require ∿12,000 fibers. With foreseeable improvements in the fiber dialysis characteristics, as indicated from membrane data, a practical full-scale hemodialyzer could evolve from the prototype 2000-fiber unit.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Stewart, R.D., et al., Trans. Amer. Soc. Artif. Int. Organs, 14, 121 (1968).
Stewart, R. D., et al., Invest. Urol. 3, 614 (1966).
Gotch, F., et al., Trans. Amer. Soc. Artif. Int. Organs,15, 87 (1969).
Salyer, I. O., et al., Research of Materials and Devices for Artificial Kidneys, Annual Technical Progress Report, Monsanto Research Corporation, Contract No. PH–43–67–1161, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, June 1967 – June 1968, page 23.
Salyer, I. O., et al., Research on Materials and Devices for Artificial Kidney, Second Annual Technical Progress Report, Monsanto Research Corporation, Contract No. PH–43–67–1161, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, June 1968 – June 1969, page 29.
op cit., Ref. 4, page 34.
op cit., Ref. 5, page 31.
Salyer, I. O., et al., Materials and Components for an Artificial Heart, Annual Technical Progress Report, Monsanto Research Corporation, Contract No. PH –43–66–975, National Institutes of Health Artificial Heart Program, National Heart Institute June 1966 – June 1967.
Salyer, I. O., et al., Materials and Components for Circulatory Assist Devices, Second Annual Technical Progress Report, Monsanto Research Corporation, Contract No. PH–43–66–975, National Institutes of Health National Heart Institute, June 1967 – June 1968.
Salyer, I. O., et al., Materials and Components for Circulatory Assist Devices, Third Annual Technical Progress Report, Monsanto Research Corporation, Contract No. PH–43–66–975, National Institute of Health, National Heart Institute, June 1968 – October 1969.
Holmes, C. W., et al., Research on Hollow Fiber Dialyzer Units, Annual Summary Report, Dow Chemical Company, Contract No. PH–43–66–549, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, June 1967.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1971 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Salyer, I.O., Ball, G.L., Beemsterboer, G.L. (1971). The Monsanto Polyacrylonitrile Hollow Fiber Artificial Kidney. In: Bier, M. (eds) Membrane Processes in Industry and Biomedicine. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1911-5_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-1911-5_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-1913-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-1911-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive