Composite hybrid membrane materials for artificial organs

Abstract

A special field of membrane separation technology consists in development of artificial organs. In the human body, with the exception of the heart and brain, all organs act as a membrane. Several solutions were investigated for various chronic diseases by replacing the function of the affected organ with a specific membrane process. This chapter describes the most important applications of polymeric and hybrid membranes for replacement or substitution of the kidney function, liver, pancreas, and lungs.