Clinical evaluation of an automated cleaning device for dialyzers.

This paper describes the clinical evaluation of dialyzer efficiency after cleaning and sterilization using an automated dialyzer cleaner. In vivo clearance measurements of small molecules and an in vitro measurement of BSP showed no diminution after 5 uses, and ultrafiltration rate did not decrease with an increase in dialyzer use. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of the membrane showed an increase in accumulation of cellular debris and fibrin with increasing use. Our experience using the automated dialyzer clearner for more than one year leads us to conclude that it is an effective way to clean dialyzers and that no patient ill-health occurs as a result of re-using dialyzers cleaned by this technique.