Caracterización de membranas hemodialíticas por microscopía de fuerza atómica

Abstract

Recent development in the bio-medical engineering and use of the new type of nano-materials, requires different and rather more sophisticated analytical tools. The Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is one of the most sophisticated tools very often used for the surface morphology characterization. The pore size characterization and distribution on the surface of the dialysis (renal) membrane is of a special importance for qualitative and quantity evaluation of the hemodialyzer quality. In the present study, AFM has been used to characterize the surface pores of a hollow-fiber dialysis membrane (polysulfone). The inner and outer side of the fiber dialysis membrane, were subject of investigation (imaging). In order to understand the process of the hemodialyzer deactivations, membranes previously used in hospitals after a single use, 10^th and 23^rd times of use, were analyzed by AFM. The obtained AFM images revealed significant differences in the quality and characteristics of the surface conditions of the hemodialysis membranes, on the nanometric level. This study also clearly shows that AFM could be a powerful tool for evaluation of the hemodialysis membrane conditions.