Morteza Ahmadi1, Maud Gorbet, John T W Yeow. 1. Department of Systems Design Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent advances in nanotechnology have made it possible to mass-produce ultrathin silicon membranes with pore sizes in the range of nanometers. In this study, we investigate the possibility of employing ultrathin nanoporous silicon membranes with pore diameters of 5 and 20 nm for dialysis of human whole blood by performing in vitro clearance and hemocompatibility assessments. METHODS: A mini blood dialyzer is fabricated by mounting nanoporous silicon membranes on a Teflon structure. Clearance is calculated based on the concentration of sodium, chloride, ionized calcium, total CO2, glucose, creatinine and hematocrit measured before and after dialysis. Blood activation is assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Blood contact with the nanoporous membranes induces considerable leukocyte activation. Coating of the membranes with polyethylene glycol significantly improves hemocompatibility without blocking the nanopores. CONCLUSION: Silicon nanoporous membranes are potential candidates for fabrication of miniaturized blood dialyzers. Their mechanical strength and hemocompatibility can be further improved.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Recent advances in nanotechnology have made it possible to mass-produce ultrathin silicon membranes with pore sizes in the range of nanometers. In this study, we investigate the possibility of employing ultrathin nanoporous silicon membranes with pore diameters of 5 and 20 nm for dialysis of human whole blood by performing in vitro clearance and hemocompatibility assessments. METHODS: A mini blood dialyzer is fabricated by mounting nanoporous silicon membranes on a Teflon structure. Clearance is calculated based on the concentration of sodium, chloride, ionizedcalcium, total CO2, glucose, creatinine and hematocrit measured before and after dialysis. Blood activation is assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Blood contact with the nanoporous membranes induces considerable leukocyte activation. Coating of the membranes with polyethylene glycol significantly improves hemocompatibility without blocking the nanopores. CONCLUSION:Silicon nanoporous membranes are potential candidates for fabrication of miniaturized blood dialyzers. Their mechanical strength and hemocompatibility can be further improved.
Authors: Steven Kim; James Heller; Zohora Iqbal; Rishi Kant; Eun Jung Kim; Jeremy Durack; Maythem Saeed; Loi Do; Steven Hetts; Mark Wilson; Paul Brakeman; William H Fissell; Shuvo Roy Journal: ASAIO J Date: 2016 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 2.872