Abstract:Much attention is being devoted to the efficient removal of β2‐microglobulin from patients on hemodialysis as it may cause amyloidosis. The objective of the present article is to clarify the β2‐microglobulin removal characteristics of dialysis membranes having varying water contents and pore radii. For membranes of regenerated cellulose, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and ethylenevinyl alcohol (EVA), solute and pure water permeability and water content were determined by the standard methods. Data analysis using a tortuous pore model allows determination of pore radius, surface porosity, and tortuosity, and hence, the sieving coefficient as a function of Stokes radius. Based on the tortuouspore model calculation, little β2‐microglobulin is removed from patients on hernodialysis by regenerated cellulose and PMMA membranes, but EVA membranes, with a sieving coefficient of0.5, are capable of removing it. The solute permeability for urea is about 2 orders greater than that for β,‐mi
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