the present invention relates to the production of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer membrane comprising the steps of : a ) mixing a polymer selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid , polyglycolic acid and polylactide - co - glycolide with a pharmaceutically acceptable surfactant ; b ) emulsifying an hemoglobin solution in the mixed solution of step a ) to form particles of polymer membrane containing hemoglobin ; c ) solidifying the particles of step b ) by adding cyclohexane ; d ) separating the solidified particles of step c ) by centrifugation ; and e ) suspending the particles of step d ) in a saline solution . in addition another approach uses alcohol - acetone . the biocompatible and biodegradable polymer membrane in accordance with the present invention contains from about 25 to 35 % by weight of hemoglobin and has an average diameter from about 0 . 07 to 1 . 1μ , preferably a submicron diameter of less than 0 . 2μ .