Ultrasonic cleaning of polycarbonate membranes for measurement of erythrocyte filterability

Abstract

Ultrasonication for 10 s in 1% w/v aqueous sodium dodecyl sulphate has been used to clean polycarbonate membranes, either singly or in batches, thus allowing their repeated use for measurement of erythrocyte filterability. Ultrasonication effectively prevented carry-over when normal and rheologically abnormal cells were filtered alternately and membranes used up to 60 times showed no morphological deterioration on scanning electron microscopy. Ultrasonicated membranes can be stored, for subsequent reuse, in filtered buffer or in the dry state. Reuse of polycarbonate membranes in filtration studies offers considerable advantages in relation to improved precision, quality assurance, and lower cost.