Vitamin E Hollow Fiber Membrane for Low-Hemolysis Plasma Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hollow fiber membranes used for blood plasma separation suffer from high hemolysis activity, leading to contamination of plasma with hemoglobin and cell fragments, which renders the plasma unsuitable for further therapeutic use.
Innovation Solution
A hollow fiber membrane comprising a blood contact layer and a support layer made of hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers, with the inclusion of vitamin E (α-tocopherol or tocotrienol) to reduce hemolysis, featuring specific sieving coefficients for albumin, immunoglobulin M, and low-density lipoprotein, and optimized pore structures to minimize blood cell penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large pores are used in the membrane to allow plasma proteins to pass through, then plasma separation efficiency is improved, but hemolysis activity increases causing red blood cells to be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane structure is designed with non-uniform pore distribution: larger pores are concentrated in specific regions to facilitate plasma protein transport, while other regions maintain smaller pores to reduce hemolysis. This local differentiation allows the membrane to simultaneously achieve high plasma separation efficiency and low hemolysis activity by optimizing pore characteristics in different spatial zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane combines multiple materials with complementary properties: a hydrophobic polymer matrix providing structural integrity and selective permeability, hydrophilic polymers enhancing plasma protein transport, and vitamin E as an antioxidant additive that specifically reduces hemolysis activity. This composite structure allows the membrane to achieve both high productivity and reduced harmful effects through synergistic material properties.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the membrane retains all plasma proteins including high-molecular proteins, then plasma viscosity is maintained, but separation selectivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane design utilizes controlled variation in pore size parameters to achieve selective plasma protein transport. By optimizing the pore size distribution within specific ranges and incorporating vitamin E at controlled concentrations, the membrane enables differential passage of plasma proteins based on their molecular characteristics while maintaining appropriate plasma viscosity through selective retention of high-molecular proteins.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The membrane exhibits reduced hemolysis activity, lower blood coagulation, and improved separation efficiency, allowing for effective plasma separation with minimal contamination and enhanced filtration properties.
Implementation Method 1
Plasma separation is achieved in the hollow fiber membrane filter on suitable hollow fiber membranes via filtration
Implementation Method 2
The transmembrane pressure difference, which is adjusted by the apparatus, transports the blood plasma over the membrane wall
Implementation Method 3
whereby cellular components of the blood are retained by the membrane wall
Implementation Method 4
A hollow fiber membrane comprising a blood contact layer and a support layer, each comprising a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic polymer and vitamin E
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow fiber membrane for separating blood plasma from blood, comprising a blood contact layer and a support layer each comprising a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and vitamin E, and a method for producing said hollow fiber membrane to provide a hollow fiber membrane is described. The hollow fiber membrane is characterized by a reduced hemolysis activity so that the hollow fiber membrane can be advantageously used in plasmapheresis methods.