Overview of hemodialysis membranes: Methods and strategies to improve hemocompatibility

Abstract

Hemodialysis membrane is the most important part of hemodialysis device. With the development of new dialysis membranes, the classification of membranes needs to be reconsidered. Additionally, membrane properties vitally affect the interaction between membrane and blood components, determining hemocompatibility of membrane. In recent years, many surface-modified membranes have been fabricated by different methods to minimize the blood incompatibility of membranes. These modified techniques further open up new directions for blood compatibility of hemodialysis membranes. Therefore, in this review, we reclassified the hemodialysis membranes in recent years according to the matrix of membrane as evaluation standard, and summarized surface modification technology that have been developed in the laboratory. Finally, we discussed the research and development challenges of hemocompatibility dialysis membranes and provided the priority directions for further improving hemocompatibility of dialysis membranes and clinical applications.