Abstract: A cross-linked polyvinyl sulfate, copolymer of polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol, or Nafion® membrane is used for recovering sulfuric acid from a feed mixture comprising predominantly acid and water under reverse osmosis conditions wherein sulfuric acid is enriched in the retentate stream and water is removed in the permeate stream.

Abstract: A continuous method for production of a porous hollow fibre membrane having regioselective affinity for compounds in blood or other biologically active fluids to be removed during purification of blood or said fluids is disclosed, as well as a porous hollow fibre membrane produced by said method, an adsorption device containing such a porous hollow fibre membrane, and use of such a porous hollow fibre membrane.

Abstract: A charged porous polymeric membrane comprises a porous polymeric membrane substrate comprising a polymeric membrane material and a first polymer having a first functional group, the first polymer is compatible with the membrane material, and a charged polymer has a second functional group, the charged polymer can react with the first polymer to bond the charged polymer to the first polymer, forming a charged coating on the membrane outer and inner surfaces. The membrane may be a microporous or an ultrafiltration membrane. The membrane may be a hollow fiber, flat sheet, or tubular membrane. Methods of manufacturing the membranes and method of using of the membranes to remove viral particles from contaminated water are further described.

Abstract: Versions of the invention include compositions and methods for making them that include a polymeric porous membrane with one or more atmospheric pressure microwave plasma modified surfaces. The modified porous membrane is stable, non-dewetting, and retains its mechanical strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for water filtration comprising contacting a water stream with a membrane comprising a polysulfone having structural units of Formula I wherein X is OH, NR1R2, or OR3; R1 and R2 are independently at each occurrence hydrogen, a C1-C5000 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical, a polypeptide, a combination thereof, or R1 and R2 taken together form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic ring or a 5-membered aromatic ring; R3 is a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; B? and C? are independently at each occurrence a nitro group, C1-C20 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; and q and r are independently at each occurrence 0 to 4.

Abstract: A filtration filter including a cartridge, which contains a crystalline polymer microporous membrane having a plurality of pores, where the average pore diameter of a first surface of the crystalline polymer microporous membrane is larger than that of a second surface thereof, and the average pore diameter of the crystalline polymer microporous membrane continuously changes from the first surface thereof to the second surface thereof, wherein at least part of the crystalline polymer microporous membrane forming the cartridge is subjected to surface modification after the crystalline polymer microporous membrane is formed into the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a permselective separation membrane that can be used in blood purifying treatment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a polysulfone-based permselective separation membrane which has well-balanced separation properties, highly stable safety and performance, and also can be smoothly assembled into a module, and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A composition having a sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A, at least one polymer interior block B, and at least one polymer block D. Each A block is a segment of one or more polymerized para-substituted styrene monomers, each B block contains segments of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers selected from polymerized (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof, and each D block having a glass transition temperature of less than 20° C. and a number average molecular weight of between 1,000 and 50,000 Adhesives, coatings and membranes are formed from the composition. Various articles are formed with the composition including films, fibers, fabrics, laminates, and absorbent cores.

Abstract: Composite membranes that exhibit long-term resistance to biofouling comprise a porous support and a crosslinked polyamide discriminating layer having an external surface, the discriminating layer comprising a branched poly(alkylene oxide) (PAO) polymer attached to its external surface. The branched PAO polymer typically has the structure of a molecular comb or brush, and is made by polymerization of a PAO macromonomer of the following formula: RO—[(CHR?)n—O]m—V in which R is hydrogen or a C1-20 aliphatic or aromatic group, V is any group containing a polymerizable site, each R? is independently hydrogen or a short chain alkyl group, n is an integer of 1-6, and m is an integer of 1 to about 200. The ? end group can be either polymerized or copolymerized.

Abstract: This invention relates to a general method to surface modify porous membranes with a free radical polymerized polymer coating in a layer which is less than the thickness of the membrane. Another object of this invention relates to a general method to surface modify porous membranes with a free radical polymerized polymer coating to a predetermined and controlled depth from a first facial surface. Another object of this invention is to provide a general method to surface modify porous membranes with a free radical polymerized polymer coating into a pattern on one or both facial surfaces, the pattern maintaining its form to a controlled depth into the membrane. Membrane modification is spatially controlled through the use of a polymerization preventing agent (PPA), which prevents modification from occurring in defined spatially volumes of the membrane. The invention relates to porous membranes surface modified by the methods described.

Abstract: A porous membrane, made of polyvinylidene fluoride which is excellent in fractionating capability, permeating capability and physical strength and suitable for use in water treatment such as water purification, preparation of drinking water, preparation of water for industrial use and wastewater treatment, and which can be manufactured inexpensively and easily. The porous membrane has one surface formed with round or oval micropores and the opposite surface formed with substantially slit shaped micropores. The round or oval micropores have an average ratio between the major axis and the minor axis, which is within the range of 1:1 to 5:1, and the substantially slit shaped micropores have an average ratio between the major axis and the minor axis, which is not smaller than 5:1 and the particle cutoff of the membrane is not smaller than 0.2 ?m.

Abstract: A braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber membrane is disclosed. The braid-reinforced composite hollow fiber membrane comprising a reinforcing material of a tubular braid and a polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface of the tubular braid is characterized in that: the tubular braid comprises multifilaments made of monofilaments having a fineness of 0.01 to 0.4 denier, and the peeling strength of the tubular braid and a polymer resinous thin film coated on the surface thereof is 1 to 10 MPa. In the composite hollow fiber membrane, the fineness of the mono filaments constituting the tubular braid of the reinforcing material is small, that is, 0.01 to 0.4 denier, thus the surface area of the tubular braid contacted with the polymer resinous thin film is increased.

Abstract: A membrane suitable for separating a gas, in particular carbon dioxide, from a gas mixture containing the gas is provided by a blend of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylamine (PVAm).

Abstract: A separation membrane includes a membrane comprising a polymer, characterized in that a functional layer is formed on the surface in one side of the membrane, the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface of the preceding functional layer is 0.1% (by atomic number) or more but not more than 10 (% by atomic number), and the peak area percentage of carbon derived from ester group measured by the electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) on the surface opposite to the functional layer is not more than 10 (% by atomic number). A separation membrane module suffering from little sticking of organic matters, proteins, platelets and so on is provided with the separation membrane as a built-in membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic methods for grafting hydrophilic chains onto polymers, particularly hydrophobic polymers such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and chlorinated polypropylene (cPP). Resulting polymers include comb polymers which can have a microphase-separated structure of hydrophilic domains provided by the hydrophilic chains. Articles prepared from these comb polymers, particularly derived from PVDF, include membranes for water filtration in which the hydrophilic domains provide a pathway for water transport. PVC can be plasticized by grafting the PVC with hydrophilic chains. In addition, such articles, particularly articles having biomedical applications, can display anti-thrombogenic properties.

Abstract: Hydrophilic porous polymeric membranes with high permeabilities, and processes for the preparation thereof are disclosed. Membranes may be prepared by including a preferably hydrophilic cross-linkable component such as PVP (either by inclusion into the polymer dope prior to casting, or coating or quenching cast membranes); and treating the polymeric microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane with a crosslinking agent to cross-link said cross-linkable component. Preferred cross-linking agents include Fenton's reagent.

Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which contains: a microporous film formed of a crystalline polymer, which has a plurality of pores; and a hydrophilic polymer containing a hydroxyl group, which covers exposed surfaces of the microporous film, wherein the plurality of pores have a larger average pore diameter at a first surface of the film than the average pore diameter at a second surface of the film, and the average pore diameter of the pores continuously changes from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing asymmetric braid reinforced capillary ultra- or micro-filtration membranes (1), including the subsequent steps of pulling a tubular braid (5) through a spinneret (7) and coating the braid with a dope. Prior to the coating step, the braid is impregnated with a non-coagulation liquid, being a liquid which does not cause coagulation of the dope, when brought in contact with the dope. The result is a membrane with an outer skin, i.e. smaller pores near the outside diameter than near the inside diameter, and a coating which is closely arranged around the outside diameter of the braid, without any substantial penetration of the coating into the braid.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophilic membranes which are supplemented or treated with a non-ionic surfactant and processes for preparing such membranes. The membranes are particularly suitable for plasma separation or for haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration, but can also advantageously be used in other applications. Accordingly, the invention is further directed to the use of such membranes for plasma separation, plasma filtration, micro filtration, plasma therapy, haemodialysis and haemodiafiltration or cell filtration applications, respectively. The treated hydrophilic membranes show excellent biocompatibility, such as reduced platelet drop and decreased TAT levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to a granulocyte adsorbent comprising a polymer compound having an unsubstituted hydroxyl group and a hydroxyl group in which H has been substituted with at least one substituent R, a method for producing such adsorbent, a device for adsorbing granulocytes and a system for removing granulocytes using such adsorbent, and body fluid or a cell suspension from which granulocytes have been removed using such adsorbent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-porous membrane comprising a porous membrane carrier made of a first polymeric material (A) and comprising a second polymeric material (B) intimately divided throughout the porous membrane carrier, wherein the porous membrane carrier comprises a plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae having a thickness of less than 1 ?m, the porous membrane carrier has an interconnected open porous structure formed by the plurality of interconnected polymeric fibers, fibrils, filaments and/or lamellae and a porosity of at least 50%; and the polymeric material (B) comprises a thermoplastic polycondensation polymer and is present in an amount of at most 30 wt. %, relative to the total weight of (A) and (B).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module comprising polysulfone type selectively permeable hollow fiber membranes which contain a polysulfone-based resin and a hydrophilic polymer as main components, wherein (A) the content of the hydrophilic polymer in the uppermost layer of the inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane is at least 1.1 times larger than the content of the hydrophilic polymer in the proximate layer of the inner surface of the membrane, and (B) the content of the hydrophilic polymer in the uppermost layer of the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane is at least 1.1 times larger than the content of the hydrophilic polymer in the uppermost layer of the inner surface of the membrane. The hollow fiber membrane module is exposed to a radioactive ray, on condition that the oxygen concentration of an ambient atmosphere around the hollow fiber membrane is from 0.001 to 0.1%, and that the moisture content of the hollow fiber membrane to the weight thereof is from 0.2 to 7 mass %.

Abstract: Non-coherent UV-treated porous halopolymer membranes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane of high permeability and novel structure, and also provides a method of producing the same, wherein its average pore size is gradually decreases from at least one membrane surface towards its center. The method of producing the microporous polyolefin membrane comprises the steps of extruding the solution, composed of 10 to 50 weight % of (A) a polyolefin having a weight-average molecular weight of 5×105 or more or (B) a composition containing this polyolefin and 50 to 90 weight % of a solvent, into a gel-like formed article and removing the solvent therefrom, wherein a treatment step with a hot solvent is incorporated.

Abstract: A hydrophilic semipermeable hollow-fibre membrane for blood treatment, with an integrally asymmetric structure based on a synthetic polymer. The hollow-fiber membrane possess on its inner surface a separating layer and an adjoining open-pored supporting layer, and has an ultrafiltration rate in albumin solution of 5 to ?25 ml/(h·m2·mmHg). The hollow fiber membrane is free from pore-stabilizing additives and has a maximum sieving coefficient for albumin of 0.005 and a sieving coefficient of cytochrome c that satisfies the equation SCcc?5·10?5·UFRAlb3?0.004·UFRAlb2+0.1081·UFRAlb?0.25.

Abstract: A microporous asymmetrical membrane formed of one or more layers wherein the “tight” side of the membrane has an “opened” face or otherwise highly-porous reticulated surface is described. The microporous asymmetrical membrane has high throughput and high flux, even when used for filtering viscous materials, such as serum or plasma. The membrane's surface can be formed by ablation or solvation, or in a two or more layered structure, through an appropriate selection of casting dopes.

Abstract: Disclosed are composite membranes for removing contaminants from water, the membranes comprising a water-permeable thin film polymerized on a porous support membrane and, optionally, a mixture, including a surface coating material having a different chemical composition than the thin film, coated on the thin film. In one aspect, one or more layers of the composite membranes further comprise nanoparticles. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A composition is formed by blending a vinylidene fluoride resin having a relatively high molecular weight and an improved crystallinity represented by a difference Tm2?Tc of at most 32° C. between an inherent melting point Tm2 and a crystallization temperature Tc of the resin with a plasticizer and a good solvent for vinylidene fluoride resin, and the composition is melt-extruded into a hollow fiber-form. The hollow fiber-form extrudate is then cooled to be solidified from an outside thereof by introduction into cooling medium and subjected to extraction of the plasticizer and stretching, thereby forming a hollow fiber porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin characterized by co-presence of crystal oriented portion and crystal non-oriented portion recognizable by X-ray diffraction method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter for the separation of leukocytes from whole blood, comprising a hydrophobic support material and a polymeric coating material, whereby the surface of the filter has a critical surface wetting tension in the range 50 to 80 dyn/cm and the polymeric coating material may be obtained by polymerisation reaction of mixtures comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers. The invention further relates to a method for production of said filter and devices for the separation of leukocytes from whole blood and the use of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing an integral multilayered porous membrane by simultaneously co-casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a porous membrane. The support can be a temporary support or form an integrated support for the membrane. The plurality of layers may be of the same polymer or different, same concentration or viscosity or different and may be subjected to the same processing conditions or different ones to form unique structures.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a polymer for coating a leukocyte removal filter material which is excellent in the capability of removing leukocytes. It is further intended to provide a filter whereby both of leukocytes and platelets can be highly efficiently removed from a blood product containing leukocytes and platelets. The above objects can be achieved by using a polymer for coating a leukocyte removal filter material which comprises a unit originating in a hydrophobic polymerizable monomer, a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer containing a basic nitrogen-containing part, and a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer containing a protonic neutral hydrophilic part.

Abstract: The invention provides porous membranes with at least a partially modified surface as well as methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for quantitation of glycated protein in a biological sample using a solid support matrix by making a first bound protein measurement total bound protein under conditions where both glycated and non-glycated protein bind to the support in making a second bound protein measurement under conditions where glycated protein is bound to the support and non-glycated protein is not substantially bound. Diagnostic devices and kits comprising the methods of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: A composite membrane is provided for the separation of water with at least one separation layer of cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol, with the separation layer being subjected in a separate process step to a post-crosslinking operation with an acid or an acid-releasing compound and at least one dialdehyde.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for improving the antifouling properties and for increasing the selectivity of commercial composite polyamide nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes comprising circulating a low concentration of water soluble monomers and an initiating redox couple in an aqueous solvent, without transverse pressure over the surface of the membrane thereby effecting a free-radical graft polymerization on the surface of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes of, for instance, Halar, PVDF or PP, incorporating PVME or vinyl methyl ether monomers. The PVME may be present as a coating on the membrane or dispersed throughout the membrane or both. The membranes are preferably hydrophilic with a highly asymmetric structure with a reduced pore size and/or absence of macrovoids as a result of the addition of PVME. The PVME maybe cross-linked. The invention also relates to methods of hydrophilising membranes and/or preparing hydrophilic membranes via thermal or diffusion induced phase separation processed.

Abstract: The membrane producible by shaping a polymer blend or a block copolymer comprising blocks of monomer units, loading the polymer blend or block copolymer with a blowing gas concentration within the polymer blend or block polymer above a critical concentration at a temperature below a critical temperature, but above the glass transition temperature of the polymer blend/gas or block copolymer/gas mixture and finally stabilizing the foam structure is characterized in that as polymer blend a homogeneous polymer blend comprising at least one hydrophilic and at least one hydrophobic polymer and/or a block copolymer of alternating blocks of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomer units is used, both the polymer blend and the block copolymer having a solubility relating to the used foaming gas above the critical concentration. The said membrane is used for medical purposes, especially for the haemodialysis, haemofiltration, haemodiafiltration, plasmapherese, immunotherapy, micro- or ultrafiltration or gas separation.

Abstract: A polymer alloy has been developed comprising a polysulfone and a vinyl lactam polymer. The resulting alloy has excellent thermal characteristics and even in the presence of substantial quantities in vinyl lactam polymers, has solvent resistance to both organic and aqueous solvent materials. The materials, when dissolved in solvents, can be spun from a variety of solvents into a variety of useful fiber materials. The resulting fine fiber, microfiber and nanofiber materials have excellent thermal and chemical resistance for a variety of fiber applications. The polymer alloys of the invention can be spun into nanofiber mats that can act as a filtration media and can also be combined into conventional substrate materials for fabrication into filter structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polysulfone type hollow fiber membrane which is reliable in safety and stability of performance and is easily incorporated into a module, and thus can be suitably used in a highly water permeable blood purifier for use in a therapy of chronic renal failure. The present invention relates to a polysulfone type selectively permeable hollow fiber membrane comprising a polysulfone type resin and a hydrophilic polymer as main components, and characterized in that (A) the content of the hydrophilic polymer in the uppermost layer of a surface of the polysulfone type hollow fiber membrane on the blood-contacting side is at least 1.1 times larger than the content of the hydrophilic polymer in the proximate layer of the surface on the blood-contacting side, and (B) the content of the hydrophilic polymer in the uppermost layer of the other surface of the polysulfone type hollow fiber membrane, i.e., the reverse side of the surface on the blood-contacting side, is at least 1.

Abstract: A composite article, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a porous membrane formed from a first material, a coating formed from a second material applied to at least a portion of the porous membrane, and a third material covering at least a portion of the porous membrane. The third material is substantially incompatible with the first material. The second material of the coating is compatible with the first material and the third material. The coating is positioned between the first material and the third material The third material is connected to the first material by the coating on the porous membrane.

Abstract: Hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric membranes, when prepared according to the process of the present invention, are unique in character in as much as the steady state permeability of the membrane has been altered by blending and cross-linking polyalkyl amines and polyalcohols. To obtain desired results, the compositions must contain at least 10% polyalkyl amines, with preferred amounts of polyalkyl amines in the composition being in excess of 40%, with over 50% polyalkyl amine concentration by weight.

Abstract: Non-coherent UV-treated porous halopolymer membranes are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a porous hollow fiber of vinylidene fluoride resin which has a water permeation rate that is large per fiber and little dependent on the length, has a large treatment capacity per volume of a filtering module, and is therefore suitable as a microfilter element. That is, a porous hollow fiber, comprising a vinylidene fluoride resin having a weight-average molecular weight of at least 3×105, having a water permeation rate F (m3/m2·day) measured at a pressure difference of 100 kPa and at a water temperature of 25° C. in a range of test length L=0.2-0.8 (m) and expressed in a linear relationship with the test length L of: F=C·L+F0 (formula 1) and satisfying requirements (a)-(d) shown below: (a) a average slope C (/day) of: ?20?C?0, (b) an intercept (basic permeability) F0 (m3/m2·day) of: F0?30, (c) a relation between F0 (m3/m2·day) and an average pore diameter P (?m) according to half-dry method of F0/P?300, and (d) an outer diameter of at most 3 mm.

Abstract: A membrane includes a porous base membrane and a hydrophilic coating. The coating comprises a hydrophilic additive and a hydrophilic polymer derivatized with an electron beam reactive group adapted to form a radical under high energy irradiation. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a fluoropolymer. Also disclosed are processes for forming the membrane.

Abstract: A plasma purification membrane and a plasma purification system for treating diseases. The above plasma purification membrane is a hollow fiber plasma purification membrane being made of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer and having a sponge-like structure wherein the pore size is continuously decreased from the outer surface of the membrane toward the inner surface thereof, characterized in that the break strength of the membrane is 50 kgf/cm2 or more and, in the case of the inner pressure filtration of bovine plasma, the total protein permeability is 50% or more while the immunoglobulin (IgM) permeability is 90% or less.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer separation membrane that is excellent in separating characteristics, a permeating ability, a chemical strength (particularly chemical resistance) and a physical strength, and also excellent in a stain resistance, and a producing method therefor. The fluorinated resin-type polymer separation membrane includes a layer having a three-dimensional network structure, and a layer having a spherical structure, wherein the layer of three-dimensional network structure is formed by a fluorinated resin-type polymer composition containing a hydrophilic polymer, and the hydrophilic polymer is a substantially water-insoluble hydrophilic polymer containing at least one of a cellulose ester, an aliphatic vinyl ester, vinylpyrrolidone, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide as a polymerization component. The polymer separation membrane is applicable as a filtration membrane for water treatment, a battery separator, a charged membrane, a fuel cell membrane or a blood cleaning filtration membrane.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for making microporous membranes from a polymer solution and the membranes therefrom. A thermal assist, such as heating of the polymer solution can be effected subsequent to shaping the solution, such as by forming a film, tube or hollow fiber of the solution under conditions that do not cause phase separation. In a preferred embodiment, the formed solution is briefly heated to generate a temperature gradient through the body of the formed solution. The polymer in solution then is precipitated to form a microporous structure. The formation of a wide variety of symmetric and asymmetric structures can be obtained using this process. Higher temperatures and/or longer heating times effected during the heating step result in larger pore sizes and different pore gradients in the final membrane product.

Abstract: Liquid membrane systems are provided for use in pervaporation techniques that achieves high selectivity, ensure stability and prevent contamination of the fermentation broth. Tri-n-octylamine (TOA), tri-laurlyamine or tri-decylamine as a liquid membrane is immobilized in the pores of a hydrophobic hollow fiber substrate having a nanoporous hydrophobic coating on the broth side. The liquid membrane in the coated hollow fibers demonstrate high selectivity and reasonable mass fluxes of solvents in pervaporation. The mass fluxes were substantially increased with the same selectivity of solvents when an ultrathin liquid membrane was used. The addition of butanol into the feed solution increases membrane selectivity.

Abstract: A filter device for the depletion of the leukocyte content from blood products comprising: a porous element comprising at least one fibrous web having a pore size suitable for leukocyte removal (possibly the range for the pore size should be defined), said web comprising fibres of a hydrophobic polymer coated with a hydrophilic polymer suitable to enhance the CWST of said hydrophobic polymer, characterised in that said web further includes adsorbent particles having a mean diameter lower than 30 ?m, said particles being bonded to said fibres by means of said hydrophilic polymer coating said fibres.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a ultrafiltration membrane that is capable for the retention of endotoxines and cytokine inducing substances (CIS) including bacterial DNA and/or DNA fragments from fluid and/or liquid media. The invention is further directed to a method of manufacturing such ultrafiltration membranes in a high quality and in an effective and time saving procedure, and to the use of such membranes for the retention of substances from fluids or liquids. The ultrafiltration membrane of the invention consists of a polymer blend comprising at least one hydrophobic polymer containing sulfur in its back bone, at least one hydrophilic, uncharged homo-polymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone and at least one polymer containing cationic charges.