Permeability of heparinized hydrophilic polymer (H-RSD): application to semipermeable membrane for microencapsulation of activated charcoal

Abstract

A series of heparinized hydrophilic polymers (H-RSD) composed of a hydrophobic element, a nonionic hydrophilic element, a cationic element and ionically bound heparin was synthesized. The permeability of the H-RSD polymers with various chemical compositions and water contents was investigated. From the studies on the permeability, it has been found that in order to maintain good permeability after heparinization, the nonionic hydrophilic element is necessary. In addition, the microencapsulation of activated charcoal granules using a H-RSD polymer with a similar permeability to that of Cuprophan was examined. In vitro adsorption studies and in vivo direct hemoperfusion studies on the activated charcoal microencapsulated with the H-RSD polymer, show that the H-RSD coating prevents clot formation without loss of the absorption power of the activated charcoal.