Novel polymeric solid-phase extraction material for complex biological matrices. Portable and disposable artificial kidney.
The replacement of conventional hemodialysis treatment for a patient with malfunctioning kidneys by providing him/her with a portable and disposable "artificial kidney" which is connected to implanted artery and veneous cannulas on a patient's wrist is discussed. During a continuous flow of blood, plasma diffuses through a plasmapheretic membrane, passes through a bed of plasmacompatible sorbent Styrosorb, and arrives at an ultrafiltration membrane. Vacuum-operated ultrafiltration removes excess water together with dissolved urea and other small molecules, and Stryosorb removes medium-sized toxic substances. The hemocompatibility of the sorbent is improved by chemical modification of the surface.
Biocompatible Materials↗