Hollow cellulose fibers, method for making, and fluid processing apparatus using same.

摘要

The cellulosic hollow-fiber membranes of the invention are useful in fluid processing apparatus typically for artificial dialysis. Each fiber has a tubular microporous wall having micropores and defining a lumen. The micropores have an average pore diameter of about 55 to about 300 ANGSTROM . The cellulosic hollow fibers exhibit a percent removal of beta 2-microglobulin through adsorption of up to 10% after a solution of 20 mg/l of beta 2-microglobulin in water is circulated through the fiber lumen for 3 hours. They also exhibit a sufficient filtration fraction of beta 2-microglobulin and a ultrafiltration rate to remove beta 2-microglobulin from blood predominantly through filtration while preventing contamination of the membranes with beta 2-microglobulin due to adsorption and controlling the amount of water removed from the blood. The fibers are prepared by wet spinning a cellulosic spinning dope into a hollow fiber followed by washing, heat treatment, plasticizing, and drying.