that membrane separation processes are nowadays widely used in different
bioprocess engineering applications. Further, the use of membrane science will
increase many folds in coming years due to the fast growth, advancement, and
development in the field of membrane science.
3.5 Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis, as the name suggests, is the dialysis of blood. This procedure is
required in case kidney failure occurs in a person. Membranes imitating physiological functions and superior hemocompatibility are desirable. Additionally, enhanced
flux and selectivity along with better antifouling nature are the prerequisites.
These membrane properties improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the membranes in a hemodialysis process. Therefore, novel membranes with improved
hemocompatibility, self-cleaning, and flux are required to be developed. Similarly,
there is a need to develop membrane materials with desired properties because these
materials are solely responsible for the prerequisite membrane properties.
In early stages of development, hydrophobic membranes of polymers, such as
polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyarylethersulfone, and polysulfone, are used
[1]. These membranes are researched for enhancing the permeability for better
purification rate. However, with time and progress in the field of membrane science,
focus is given to the development of hemocompatible membranes with improved
flux and antifouling behavior. Presently, main focus is on the development of living
membranes that can imitate complete functions of the natural organs. Researchers
working on this domain developed renal tubule cell assist device (RAD) that can
imitate functions of a natural kidney. Membranes are used to adhere human renal
cells to mimic a kidney and carry out other physiological functions of a kidney, such
as managing metabolic activities and endocrine processes, including separation and
purification. Hemofilter along with the RAD device is used as an artificial kidney
performing separation, purification, metabolic and endocrine activities, and
reabsorption of useful nutrients [1].
Membrane technology is advancing at a very good pace; therefore, membranebased techniques are both safe and secure. Henceforth, hemodialysis a membranebased procedure is also in its advanced stages. Mainly because of the developments
in the ancillary equipments and the inclusion of automation in the devices responsible for safety. Therefore, the improvements in the membranes, water quality,
dialysate, and computer controls makes hemodialysis a fully automatic and safe to
operate procedure. The progress and growth in hemodialysis procedure help to
improve the survival rate. Therefore, there is immense scope of development in
the field of membrane science for the betterment of health and life.
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R. Singh et al.
bioprocess engineering applications. Further, the use of membrane science will
increase many folds in coming years due to the fast growth, advancement, and
development in the field of membrane science.
3.5 Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis, as the name suggests, is the dialysis of blood. This procedure is
required in case kidney failure occurs in a person. Membranes imitating physiological functions and superior hemocompatibility are desirable. Additionally, enhanced
flux and selectivity along with better antifouling nature are the prerequisites.
These membrane properties improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the membranes in a hemodialysis process. Therefore, novel membranes with improved
hemocompatibility, self-cleaning, and flux are required to be developed. Similarly,
there is a need to develop membrane materials with desired properties because these
materials are solely responsible for the prerequisite membrane properties.
In early stages of development, hydrophobic membranes of polymers, such as
polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyarylethersulfone, and polysulfone, are used
[1]. These membranes are researched for enhancing the permeability for better
purification rate. However, with time and progress in the field of membrane science,
focus is given to the development of hemocompatible membranes with improved
flux and antifouling behavior. Presently, main focus is on the development of living
membranes that can imitate complete functions of the natural organs. Researchers
working on this domain developed renal tubule cell assist device (RAD) that can
imitate functions of a natural kidney. Membranes are used to adhere human renal
cells to mimic a kidney and carry out other physiological functions of a kidney, such
as managing metabolic activities and endocrine processes, including separation and
purification. Hemofilter along with the RAD device is used as an artificial kidney
performing separation, purification, metabolic and endocrine activities, and
reabsorption of useful nutrients [1].
Membrane technology is advancing at a very good pace; therefore, membranebased techniques are both safe and secure. Henceforth, hemodialysis a membranebased procedure is also in its advanced stages. Mainly because of the developments
in the ancillary equipments and the inclusion of automation in the devices responsible for safety. Therefore, the improvements in the membranes, water quality,
dialysate, and computer controls makes hemodialysis a fully automatic and safe to
operate procedure. The progress and growth in hemodialysis procedure help to
improve the survival rate. Therefore, there is immense scope of development in
the field of membrane science for the betterment of health and life.
12
R. Singh et al.