Hemocompatible cellulose dialysis membranes modified with phospholipid polymers.

Hemocompatibility is one of the most important properties for hemodialysis membranes. For improvement of the hemocompatibility on a cellulose dialysis membrane, modifications with new blood-compatible phospholipid polymers were carried out. These methods included a direct grafting of the phospholipid monomer on the membrane surface, coating the membrane surface with a water-soluble graft copolymer composed of a cellulose backbone and phospholipid polymer as a branch, and covalent bonding with a reactive phospholipid polymer on the membrane surface. These modified membranes could reduce protein adsorption as well as complement activation and platelet adhesion on the surface without any adverse effects on the membrane performance.