Biocompatible polymer alloy membrane for implantable artificial pancreas

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 208; no. 1; pp. 39 - 48
• Main Authors: Uchiyama, Tomoaki, Watanabe, Junji, Ishihara, Kazuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2002
• Subjects: 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer; Biocompatibility; Permeability; Polymer alloy membrane; Segmented polyurethane; Biocompatibility; Permeability; Polymer alloy membrane; 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer; Segmented polyurethane
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/S0376-7388(02)00137-0

The preparation of a novel polymer alloy membrane with both biocompatibility and permeability for fabrication of an implantable artificial pancreas was carried out. The polymer alloy was composed of a segmented polyurethane (SPU) and phospholipid polymer with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) units. The MPC polymer was poly(MPC-co-2-ethylhexyl methacrylate) (PMEH), which can be dissolved in the same solvent for SPU. The SPU/PMEH alloy membrane was prepared by a solvent evaporation method. The X-ray photoelectron spectra indicated that the MPC units were located on the subsurface of the membrane. The functions of the SPU/PMEH alloy membrane were characterized in terms of permeability of glucose and insulin, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. The SPU/PMEH alloy membrane had excellent mechanical properties, which were confirmed by tensile-strain measurements. The glucose and insulin could permeate through the SPU/PMEH alloy membrane. The reduction of the number of fibroblasts that adhered to the surface of the SPU/PMEH alloy membrane was observed. That is, it has a good biocompatible surface compared with the original SPU. It was suggested that excellent functions, such as good insulin permeability, and reduction of fibroblast adhesion were promoted by the PMEH which dispersed both on the surface and inside the membrane. It was concluded that the SPU/PMEH alloy membrane has useful functions for the fabrication of an implantable chemically-controlled artificial pancreas.