Membranes for therapeutic apheresis.

Abstract

Kuraray has developed many kinds of apheresis devices, such as plasma separators, plasma fractionators, and apheresis monitors. In this article, apheresis membranes, especially double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) and plasma fractionators used in DFPP are introduced. DFPP is both clinically and cost effective apheresis therapy, and it has been used widely for the treatment of many kinds of diseases. Several types of plasma separators with various pore sizes are available. It is important to select the proper plasma separator with suitable pore size, determined by the size of the pathogenic substances to be removed. The Evaflux 5A ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer plasma fractionator efficiently separates low-density lipoprotein from high-density lipoprotein. DFPP with the Evaflux 5A is effective for the treatment of familiar hyperlipidemia.