Abstract: A polymer affinity matrix for the binding of one or more substances in a fluid or removing said substance(s) from the fluid and/or decreasing the amount or concentration thereof in said fluid with a view to preventing, eliminating or reducing undesired activation of components in said fluid is described, as well as a method for removing said substance(s) from the fluid and/or decreasing the amount or concentration thereof in said fluid, a method for the production of said matrix, use of said matrix and a kit comprising said matrix. The polymer affinity matrix comprises a solid support, a spacer and a ligand, containing arginine as a binding unit.

Abstract: A water treatment membrane comprising a porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin, wherein 0.01-5 wt. parts of photocatalytic titanium oxide is uniformly dispersed in 100 wt. parts of the vinylidene fluoride resin. The water treatment membrane can solve problems accompanying the hydrophobicity of a porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin while taking advantage of excellent mechanical properties, weatherability, chemical resistance, etc., thereof.

Abstract: Polymer-ceramic mixed matrix compositions contain one or more organic polymers and a nano-sized dispersion of inorganic metal oxide particles which are dispersed throughout the composition. Materials have use in making membranes that act as transfer agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrophilic substance production method characterized in that polyvinylpyrrolidone-containing material wetted with an aqueous solution of a cationic polymer is treated with radiation. The invention makes it possible to produce material for blood treatment that prevents adsorption of blood platelets.

Abstract: The present invention teaches, that the removal of particles of any charge from liquid stream is possible by mechanisms other than sieving with good flow and low pressure drop. The use of a weakly charged or neutral surface on the one or more filters within a pre-selected pH range is used. Consequently, particles that are much smaller than the filter pore size are captured with high efficiency. The essentially neutral or weakly charged material filter surface in the filtration liquid may be formed through the proper selection of filter material or a surface modification of the base filters(s) to create the essentially neutral or weakly charged surface.

Abstract: A hydrophilic microporous membrane comprising a thermoplastic resin, having been subjected to hydrophilizing treatment and having a maximum pore size of 0 to 100 nm, wherein when 3 wt % bovine immunoglobulin having a monomer ratio of 80 wt % or more is filtered at a constant pressure of 0.3 MPa, an average permeation rate (liter/m2/h) for 5 minutes from the start of filtration (briefly referred to as globulin permeation rate A) satisfies the following formula (1) and an average permeation rate (liter/m2/h) for 5 minutes from the time point of 55 minutes after the start of filtration (briefly referred to as globulin permeation rate B) satisfies the following formula (2): Globulin permeation rate A>0.0015 ×maximum pore size (nm)2.75 ??(1) Globulin permeation rate B/globulin permeation rate A>0.2 .

Abstract: A vinylidene fluoride resin having a weight-average molecular weight as relatively high as 300,000 or higher is mixed with a plasticizer and good solvent for the vinylidene fluoride resin to obtain a composition. A molten extrudate of the composition in a hollow-fiber membrane state is contacted, on its outer side, with a cooling liquid inert to the vinylidene fluoride resin to thereby cool the extrudate. During the solidification, the vinylidene fluoride resin is moderately and mildly crystallized. Thus, a hollow-fiber porous vinylidene fluoride resin membrane is produced which has a high crystallinity represented by an enthalpy of crystal melting 58 J/g or higher. The hollow-fiber porous membrane obtained is excellent in mechanical strength represented by tensile strength and elongation at break and in chemical resistance. It is effectively used as a water microfiltration membrane.

Abstract: A novel polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer membrane is disclosed. The novel polyvinyl alcohol-based polymer membrane of the present invention comprises two different compounds which are crosslinked by irradiating light such as UV or electronic beams or heat treatment to form a covalent bond between double bonds thereby providing improved properties such as chemical resistance and durability. This invention also relates to a process its preparation.

Abstract: A polymer or blend is described which contains at least one acrylic resin or vinyl resin having at least one ionic or ionizable group, and at least one additional polymer. The polymer has small domain sizes with respect to the acrylic resin or vinyl resin. The polymer preferably has improved conductivity when formed into a film. Preferably, the polymers are useful in a variety of applications including in the formation of a membrane which is useful in batteries and fuel cells and the like. Methods of making the polymer blends are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly water permeable hollow fiber membrane type blood purifier for medical use, which is excellent in safety and module-assembling ease and which has a high water permeability suitable for use in therapy of chronic renal failure. The present invention relates to a highly water-permeable hollow fiber type blood purifier comprising hydrophobic polymer hollow fiber membranes each of which contains a hydrophilic polymer, characterized in that the amount of the hydrophilic polymer eluted from the hollow fiber membrane is 10 ppm or less; in that the ratio of the hydrophilic polymer in the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane is 25 to 50 mass %; in that the burst pressure of the hollow fiber membrane is 0.5 MPa or higher; and in that the coefficient of water permeability of the blood purifier is 150 ml/m2/hr./mmHg or higher.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polyvinyl chloride hollow filtration membrane, which mainly comprises the following components: 30-95 wt. % of polyvinyl chloride and 5-70 wt. % of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride terpolymer, wherein the polymerization degree of polyvinyl chloride is from 700 to 2500; the content of vinyl acetate is 10-19 % and the content of maleic anhydride is 18-40 % on a basis of total weight of the terpolymer; and the absolute viscosity of the terpolymer is 1.2-1.9 mPa·s. A method for preparing such a polyvinyl chloride hollow filtration membrane is also provided in the present invention.

Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a filter comprises a filtering media. The filtering media is impregnated with chemical compounds that effectively retain water molecules and water-alcohol molecules but not alcohol molecules. The filter also comprises a liquid channeling structure, wherein the liquid channeling structure directs liquid entering an input of the filter to flow through the filtering media before exiting an output of the filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane for the separation of material mixtures by the principle of vapor permeation or pervaporation, in particular for the dewatering of organic solvents, comprising at least one support layer and at least one material-selective separation layer located thereon, and a method for production of such a membrane. The material-selective separating layer is made from polyvinyl alcohol, containing at least one metallic element and/or a derivative thereof. The method includes the addition of polyvinyl alcohol to a solvent, adding an organometallic compound to the solvent/polyvinyl alcohol mixture, and then applying the solvent/polyvinyl alcohol/organometallic compound mixture to the support layer as the material-selective separating layer.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a blood purifier package which shows a less increase in the amounts of extracts from the materials of its blood purifier, particularly of its selective permeable separation membranes, attributed to the deterioration of the same materials with time after exposure to a radioactive ray or an electron ray, and which is therefore highly reliable in safety in use for hemocatharsis, and to provide a process for manufacturing the same. The present invention relates to a blood purifier package obtained by packing a blood purifier which comprises selectively permeable separation membranes as a main component, and this blood purifier package is characterized in that the blood purifier is packed and sealed together with an oxygen scavenger in a packaging material capable of shutting out an external air and a water vapor, under a condition of a relative humidity of above 40% RH at 25° C.

Abstract: A membrane is provided, which may include a microporous base membrane; and a cross-linkable coating disposed on a surface of the membrane. The coating may include polyvinyl nucleophilic polymer and a urethane or a blocked isocyanate. The coating may be cross-linked. Also provided is a method of making the membrane.

Abstract: A porous membrane for water treatment of the present invention is made of a resin composition containing 100 parts by weight of a polyvinylidene fluoride based resin, and 5 to 13 parts by weight of a polyvinyl alcohol based polymer having a degree of saponification of 10 to 80 mol %. The porous membrane has a permeation wetting tension of 38 to 72 mN/m, and a tensile strength of 7 to 20 MPa, and thus is characterized by having the excellent mechanical strength and wettability. This is a porous membrane for water treatment essentially containing the polyvinylidene fluoride based resin, which allows water treatment to be highly efficiently performed on raw water (river water, industrial waste water, and the like), in particular.

Abstract: There is provided a porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin which has pores of appropriate size and distribution and also excellent mechanical strength represented by tensile strength and elongation at break and is useful as a microfiltration membrane or a separator for batteries. The porous membrane of vinylidene fluoride resin is characterized by the presence in mixture of a crystalline oriented portion and a crystalline non-oriented portion as confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and is produced by subjecting a melt-extruded composition obtained by mixing a vinylidene fluoride resin having a molecular weight distribution which is appropriately broad and high as a whole with a plasticizer and a good solvent for vinylidene fluoride resin, to cooling for solidification from one surface, extraction of the plasticizer and stretching.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of copolymers A containing a) from 50 to 99% by weight of at least one N-vinyllactam or N-vinylamine selected from the group consisting of N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpiperidone, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinylimidazole, methylated N-vinylimidazole, and N-vinylformamide, and b) from 1 to 50% by weight of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of b1) C8-C30-alkyl esters of monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acids; b2) N—C8-C30-alkyl-substituted amides of monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acids; b3) N,N—C8-C30-dialkyl-substituted amides of monoethylenically unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acids; b4) vinyl esters of aliphatic C8-C30 carboxylic acids; and b5) C8-C30-alkyl vinyl ethers to produce membranes.

Abstract: A porous polymeric membrane formed from a blend of a polymeric membrane forming material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polysulfone and a polymeric reactivity modifying agent adapted to modify the surface active properties of the porous polymeric membrane. The reactivity modifying agent is preferably a linear polymeric anhydride, such as poly(alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride). The surface activity modifications include modification of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity balance of the membrane, or hydrolysis followed by reaction with a polyamine to form a crosslinked polyamide layer. Such modified membranes have use as reverse osmosis membranes.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a porous membrane having a high strength and excellent water permeability and rejection properties. The porous membrane of the present invention has both a three-dimensional network structure and a spherical structure. The porous membrane of the present invention is suitably used for water treatment membranes, battery separators, charged membranes, fuel cells, blood purification membranes, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) monomer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) monomer and hexafluoropropylene (HFP) monomer for forming an ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane, method of forming said membranes, and to the ultrafiltration or microfiltration membranes themselves. The invention also relates to a method of forming a polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane including preparing a leachant resistant membrane dope which incorporates a leachable pore forming agent, casting a membrane from the dope and leaching the pore forming agent from the membrane. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a polymeric ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane of improved structure including the step of adding a nucleating agent to the membrane dope before casting.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining a ratio of an amount of a glycated form of a protein to a total amount of the protein in a sample containing the glycated protein, the glycosylated protein, or the glycoprotein. The method incorporates lateral flow test strip or vertical flow test strip devices having negatively charged carboxyl or carboxylate groups and hydroxyboryl groups immobilized and interspersed on a solid support matrix. The solid support matrix may include derivatives of cellulose (e.g., carboxy cellulose) derivatized with carboxylic acid (e.g., carboxylate, carboxyl) groups and hydroxyboryl compounds including phenylboronic acid (e.g., phenylborate), aminophenylboronic acid, boric acid (e.g., borate), or other boronic acid (e.g., boronate) compounds. The present invention is usefi.il for monitoring glycation or glycosylation of hemoglobin or albumin for monitoring glycemic control (e.g., glycemia in diabetes).

Abstract: A method of producing a hollow fiber membrane includes discharging a polyvinylidene fluoride solution comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride resin and a poor solvent at a temperature above a phase separation temperature into a cooling bath at a temperature below the phase separation temperature to coagulate the polyvinylidene fluoride resin. The hollow fiber membrane comprises a polyvinylidene fluoride resin having spherical structures that have an average diameter in the range of 0.3 to 30 ?m.

Abstract: A defect free semipermeable composite membrane having excellent integrity and high water permeability is provided. Said composite membrane comprises an inside support layer to provide sufficient mechanical strength; an outside barrier layer to provide selective separation; and a middle layer to provide both chemical and physical binding between said support and said barrier layer to bond them together. Three different methods for making said defect free composite membrane are discovered. These methods have been successfully utilized to produce high quality coatings and defect free composite membranes, which are independent of chemical composition and physical structure of said support. In the present invention, ultrasonic sonication is discovered to be effective to speed up the phase inversion process of a membrane casting solution, thus allows produce a composite membrane at a speed higher than those disclosed in the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a composition useful for producing a homogeneous, semipermeable membrane, the composition comprising a polysulfone semipermeable membrane, the polysulfone semipermeable membrane comprising a mixture of: an ultra-high-molecular-weight hydrophilic polymer, a polysulfone compound and a solvent for the polysulfone compound, and the polysulfone semipermeable membrane having a homogeneous structure such that the polysulfone semipermeable membrane has a substantially uniform structure. Another aspect of this invention discloses methods for fabricating semipermeable membranes by homogeneously mixing the composition, melting the composition, and melt-spinning the molten composition. Another aspect of the present invention includes homogeneous, melt-spun, semipermeable membranes useful for liquid separation processes, such as, but not limited to, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, dialysis, and reverse osmosis.

Abstract: A multilayer microporous membrane containing a thermoplastic resin, comprising a coarse structure layer with a higher open pore ratio and a fine structure layer with a lower open pore ratio, wherein said coarse structure layer is present at least in one membrane surface having a thickness of not less than 5.0 ?m, a thickness of said fine structure layer is not less than 50% of the whole membrane thickness, and said coarse structure layer and said fine structure layer are formed in one-piece.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a blood purification membrane having excellent performance and showing little elution of blood and little adhesion of blood proteins or platelets. The above object can be achieved by using a moisten membrane, which is free from any membrane pore-sustaining agent and has a high water permeation dose and a large pore size, and lessening the pore size by drying the membrane after desolvation.

Abstract: Segregating membrane supporting material is a three-dimensional assembly of fibers thermo-compressed into non-woven fabric, and the non-woven fabric fibers are joined together in sheet form. This segregating membrane supporting material is non-woven fabric, including at least 10 weight % polyacrylonitrile-based synthetic fibers, which is thermo-compressed to give an overall bulk density 40% to 75% of the density of the fibers which make up the non-woven fabric.

Abstract: A hollow fiber microfiltration (MF) membrane is provided. The casting solution used to make this membrane includes a fiber-forming polymer having a degree of polymerization greater than about 1000, a water-soluble polymer, an anhydride with about 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and a solvent. The membrane is formed by mixing and heating these components to form a viscous dope and then extruding the dope through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber MF membrane. The hollow fiber membrane is then fed through a coagulation bath and two leaching baths. The membrane is especially useful for filtering liquids, such as wine and juice, so as to remove bacteria, gel, and solid particles from the liquids.

Abstract: Pervaporation membranes including poly(acrylamide)-grafted alginate membranes, which may be optimized for the separation of alcohols from water, low viscosity sodium alginate membranes containing PEG and PVA, which may be optimized for the separation of organic acids from water, and copolymeric PAN-grafted PVA membranes, which may be optimized for the separation of DMF from water, and methods of making such membranes. Use of such membranes in pervaporation and pervaporation devices containing such membranes. Use of such membranes alone or in combination with ion-exchange membranes for recovery of organic compounds or for water purification applications such as production of potable water or industrial waste treatment. The membranes of the present invention may be used to remove trace amounts of water from organic compounds.

Abstract: An at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane is disclosed. The at least two layer, unsupported, continuous microporous membrane may include at least two different membrane pore size layers or the pore sizes may have about the same pore size. Apparatus and processes for fabricating at least a two layer unsupported, continuous, microporous membrane are also disclosed.

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: A filter for selectively removing leukocytes from the human whole blood, characterized in that it comprises a filter base coated with a hydrophilic synthetic polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 300,000 to 3,000,000 and that the percentage of covering by the polymer is 70% or higher based on the whole surface of the filter base.

Abstract: A dialyzer for blood treatment including a semipermeable membrane which is made of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer, and has a water permeating performance drying of ½ or higher relative to that before drying. The dialyzer has a vitamin B12 clearance not smaller than 135 ml/mm per 1.6 m2 or the amount of the hydrophilic polymer eluted from the semipermeable membrane is not higher than 10 ppm. A dialyzer for blood treatment is light-weight, easy to handle, and exhibits a reduced elution of the hydrophilic polymer procedures for producing a dialyzer containing the semipermeable membrane and a process for producing a hollow fiber membrane for use in blood treatment are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic microfiltration membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane is rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications, as well as for other filtration applications that demand relatively large pore sizes, thick membranes, high asymmetry, and/or high lateral wicking speeds.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for making membranes are disclosed. The membranes include a polymeric matrix and a particulate material immobilized within the matrix. The membranes may find particular application in methods and apparatus for removing organic compounds from a biological fluid as part of a pathogen inactivation treatment.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for making membranes are disclosed. The membranes include a polymeric matrix and a particulate material immobilized within the matrix. The membranes may find particular application in methods and apparatus for removing organic compounds from a biological fluid as part of a pathogen inactivation treatment.

Abstract: A porous hollow fiber membrane having a particle cutoff within the range of 1 to 10 ?m and a pure water permeate flow equal to or higher than 30,000 L/m2/hr/100 kPa.

Abstract: A hollow fiber microfiltration (MF) membrane is provided. The casting solution used to make this membrane includes a fiber-forming polymer having a degree of polymerization greater than about 1000, a water-soluble polymer, an anhydride with about 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and a solvent. The membrane is formed by mixing and heating these components to form a viscous dope and then extruding the dope through an annular orifice to form a hollow fiber MF membrane. The hollow fiber membrane is then fed through a coagulation bath and two leaching baths. The membrane is especially useful for filtering liquids, such as wine and juice, so as to remove bacteria, gel, and solid particles from the liquids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filtration media having both hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties. The filtration media are produced using a fluorothermoplastic material, such as a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene. The invention also relates to methods of preparing such filtration media using casting solution phase inversion.

Abstract: A porous polymeric membrane formed from a blend of a polymeric membrane forming material, such as polyvinylidene fluoride or polysulfone and a polymeric reactivity modifying agent adapted to modify the surface active properties of the porous polymeric membrane. The reactivity modifying agent is preferably a linear polymeric anhydride, such as poly(alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride). The surface activity modifications include modification of the hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity balance of the membrane, or hydrolysis followed by reaction with a polyamine to form a crosslinked polyamide layer. Such modified membranes have use as reverse osmosis membranes.

Abstract: A method for casting-in-place composite and/or non-filled structures which are useful as sorptive or reactive media or for size-based separations. Any particular housing size or configuration can be used, and the inclusion of a large amount of adsorptive particles in polymer is achieved while still maintaining the membrane three dimensional structure. In a first preferred embodiment, the composite structures comprise particles entrapped within a porous polymeric substrate, and are cast in-place into a housing such as a pipette tip, thereby providing an effective platform for micromass handling. With the appropriate selection of particle chemistry, virtually any separation or purification operation can be conducted, including selective bind/elute chromatography operations, on sample mass loads less than 1 microgram in volumes of a few microliters, as well as larger mass loads and volumes. The present invention also encompasses the composite structures as well as sample preparation devices containing the same.

Abstract: The present Application relates to a process for the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes from polyacrylonitrile using malic acid as additives, with said membrane of molecular weight ranging between 80 to 180K, showing high purification and water permeating ability.

Abstract: A method for casting-in-place composite and/or non-filled structures which are useful as sorptive or reactive media or for size-based separations. Any particular housing size or configuration can be used, and the inclusion of a large amount of adsorptive particles in polymer is achieved while still maintaining the membrane three dimensional structure. In a first preferred embodiment, the composite structures comprise particles entrapped within a porous polymeric substrate, and are cast in-place into a housing such as a pipette tip, thereby providing an effective platform for micromass handling. With the appropriate selection of particle chemistry, virtually any separation or purification operation can be conducted, including selective bind/elute chromatography operations, on sample mass loads less than 1 microgram in volumes of a few microliters, as well as larger mass loads' and volumes.

Abstract: The invention includes novel anion exchange membranes formed by in situ polymerization of at least one monomer, polymer or copolymer on a woven support membrane and their methods of formation. The woven support membrane is preferably a woven PVC membrane. The invention also includes novel cation exchange membranes with or without woven support membranes and their methods of formation. The invention encompasses a process for using the membranes in electrodialysis of ionic solutions and in particular industrial effluents or brackish water or seawater. The electrodialysis process need not include a step to remove excess ions prior to electrodialysis and produces less waste by-product and/or by-products which can be recycled.

Abstract: A product for the selective and rapid removal of toxic chlorocarbon compounds from fluid streams is provided in the form of a self supporting porous composite structure containing a multitude of water absorbent particles of cellulosic origin interbonded by hydrophilic microporous polyvinylchloride (PVC). A large number of the composite structures may be confined within a vessel adapted to receive a flow of fluid containing chlorocarbon compounds sought to be removed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filtration media having both hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties. The filtration media are produced using a fluorothermoplastic material, such as a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, vinylidene fluoride, and hexafluoropropylene. The invention also relates to methods of preparing such filtration media using casting solution phase inversion.

Abstract: High flux porous hollow fiber membranes are produced from perfluorinated thermoplastic polymers by extruding heated solution of the polymer having a lower critical solution temperature directly into a cooling bath to form the porous membrane by liquid-liquid phase separation. Extrusion can be conducted either vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: High flux porous hollow fiber membranes are produced from perfluorinated thermoplastic polymers by extruding a heated solution of the polymer having a lower critical solution temperature directly into a cooling bath to form the porous membrane by liquid-liquid phase separation. Extrusion can be conducted either vertically or horizontally.

Abstract: EVAL microporous hydrophilic hollow fiber membranes are formed from a casting dope that includes low and high molecular weight pore-formers. Post-fabrication treatment includes stretching, hot water soaking and crosslinking.