Membrane materials therapeutic applications

Lembrane science has recently received considerable attention. Membranes for industrial separations, therapeutic medical applications, and controlled release, as well as membrane barriers for packaging, have all moved from the laboratory bench to the world of commerce. Forecasts call for additional applications and expanded markets in the future. However, for membranes to proceed beyond the present level of success, further advances must be made in the materials science of membranes. The objective of this book is to compile state-of-the-art reviews of several aspects of the materials science of synthetic membranes. It is hoped that this compilation will serve as a useful reference regarding past and present developments, and that it will provide the impetus for future advances in membrane materials science. 

In addition to the guidelines suggested by Chern et al. (3) and by Lloyd and Meluch ( ), Ward et al. (7) point out that biocompatibility and sterlllzability need to be considered when selecting membrane materials for therapeutic applications. 

Ward RA> Feldhoff PW, Klein E (1985) Membrane materials for therapeutic application in medicines. In Lloyd DR (ed) Materials science of synthetic membranes. ACS Symposium Series 269. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, p 99... 

R. A. Ward, P. W. Feldhoff, and E. Klein, Membrane materials for therapeutic applications in medicine, in Materials Science of Synthetic Membranes, D. R. Lloyd (Ed.), pp. 99-118, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC (1985). 

Polymers and biopolymers have been used in medicine for centuries. These important materials partly have their own therapeutic effect (active substances), and partly ensure the formulation, stability, and applicability of the dosage form (additives). The discovery of controlled drug delivery systems was a major result of research-development in pharmaceutical technology. In these so-called therapeutic systems, polymers ensuring a predetermined rate of membrane or matrix diffusion are used. Mucoadhesion (adhesion to biological surfaces) and the group of stimuli sensitive (environment sensitive) polymers play an important role in controlling the therapeutic effect. 

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