Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Glymo Functionalized Silicon Nanoporous Membrane (Snm) For Non-inflammatory, Non-immunogenic Hemodialysis Applications And Method Thereof
Technology Category/Market
Category- Drugs and Pharmaceutical Engineering
Industry Classification:
Healthcare and Medical Devices Industry; Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials; Advanced membrane and filtration technologies
Applications:
Hemodialysis devices; Blood purification systems; Modular and scalable dialysis apparatuses
Market report:
The global hemodialysis membrane market was valued at USD 9.16 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 12.93 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 5.1%
Problem Statement
- Hemodialysis membranes help in uremic toxin clearance for kidney treatment.
- Conventional polymer-based membranes are thick, inconsistent, and prone to fouling, leading to inefficient toxin clearance and potential blood protein loss.
- Further, traditional silicon-based membranes with PEG coating suffer from high costs, instability under blood exposure, and inadequate precise pore size control.
- There is a need for thin, stable and reusable membrane that minimizes fouling while ensuring toxin clearance and protein retention.
Technology
- The invention is a GLYMO-functionalized Silicon Nanoporous Membrane (SNM) designed for hemodialysis, ensuring efficient uremic toxin clearance while retaining vital blood proteins.
- Fabricated via ICP-CVD and rapid thermal processing, the SNM is 15 nm thick with ~10 nm pore diameters, offering high precision and scalability.
- GLYMO silanization converts surface groups to stable Si-O-Si bonds, minimizing biofouling and enhancing long-term stability under blood exposure.
- The membrane clears 50% of uremic toxins in 15 minutes, meets ISO 10993-4:2017(E) standards, and demonstrates excellent hemocompatibility with minimal cytotoxicity.
- Targeted for advanced hemodialysis devices, the technology offers reusability, durability, and a compact design, providing a safer and more efficient solution for kidney failure treatment.
Key Features/Value Proposition
- The invention uses a 15 nm-thin SNM with ~10 nm pores, ensuring faster uremic toxin clearance and reduced clogging compared to conventional polymer membranes that are thicker and less uniform.
- GLYMO functionalization minimizes biofouling by stabilizing the surface with Si–O–Si bonds, enhancing biocompatibility and reducing adverse blood interactions.
- Compare to conventional polymer or PEG-coated membranes, the invention efficiently retains vital blood proteins while clearing toxins, lowering risks like sepsis and hemolysis.
- The fabrication process in the invention using ICP-CVD and rapid thermal processing is scalable and more cost-effective than expensive, complex nanolithography techniques.
- Rigorous in vitro tests confirm the invented membrane’s non-inflammatory, non-immunogenic performance, demonstrating superior durability and reusability for safe, long-term hemodialysis applications.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact for Licensing
Research Lab
Prof. Enakshi Bhattacharya
Department of Electrical Engineering
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref 2553
- IN 559892 Patent Granted
Technology Readiness Level
TRL 4
Technology validated in Lab