Method of producing electrically conductive polymers and removing protein-bound substances

Abstract

The present invention provides an organic bioelectronic HD device system for the effective removal of protein-bound substances, comprising PEDOT:PSS, a multiwall carbon nanotube, polyethylene oxide (PEO), and (3-glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GOPS). The composite nanofiber platform exhibited (i) long-term water-resistance; (ii) high adhesion strength on the PES membrane; (iii) enhanced electrical properties; and (iv) good anticoagulant ability and negligible hemolysis of red blood cells, suggesting great suitability for use in developing next-generation bioelectronic medicines for HD.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 903,954, filed on Sep. 23, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a method of producing an electrically conductive material for blood purification; in particular, the present invention relates to a method of producing an electrically conductive material for removing protein-bound substances.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Kidneys are organs that can filter waste metabolites from whole blood, while also regulating blood pressure and electrolyte balance. Symptoms of kidney failure result from the accumulation of uremic toxins in the blood. The rate of chronic kidney failure, causing chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is increasing rapidly worldwide. When the kidneys no longer work effectively, the concentration of uremic toxi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new material called MWCNT / PEDOT:PSS nanofiber mats that can be used in a bioelectronic interface device to improve the performance of dialysis membranes. These nanofiber mats have high water-resistance and strong adhesion to conventional dialysis membranes. The invention has used various techniques to determine the structure, chemical composition, and electrical characteristics of the nanofiber mats. The biocompatibility of the nanofiber mats has been evaluated, and the long-term stability of the device under different operation conditions has been tested. The invention also provides a method for reducing the binding rate between proteins and protein-bound substances by applying electrical stimulation. This method can increase the retention of proteins and improve the adsorption amount or dialysis efficiency of protein-bound substances.

Problems solved by technology

Symptoms of kidney failure result from the accumulation of uremic toxins in the blood.

When the kidneys no longer work effectively, the concentration of uremic toxins will increase, resulting in increasing risk of mortality.

Although the high frequency of HD treatment (4 h each time, three times a week) is inconvenient, it remains the most viable clinical therapy and the most popular approach for the effective removal of small water-soluble uremic toxins from the blood.

Nevertheless, because of their high protein-binding capacity, the removal of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) using conventional HD devices remains problematic, with only a low fraction of free-PBUTs passing through the HD membrane.

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