Low protein binding membrane
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to microporous membranes and more particularly to modified nylon membrane having a relatively low binding capacity for protein and which is suitable for the filtration of aqueous fluids, such as biological liquids containing proteins. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Microporous membranes are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,738 to Marinaccio, et al. (1975) describes a process for preparing a microporous membrane, for example, by quenching a solution of a film forming polymer in a non-solvent system for the polymer. European patent application No. 0 005 536 to Pall (1979) describes a similar process. 
     Commercially available microporous membranes, for example, made of nylon, are available from Pall Corporation, Glen Cove, N.Y. under the trademark ULTIPOR N 66 . Such membranes are advertised as useful for the sterile filtration of pharmaceuticals, e.g. removal of micro- organisms. 
     Cationically charged membranes which are used for the filtration of anionic particulate contaminants are also known in the art. For example, charge modified filter membranes are disclosed in the Assignee&#39;s Japanese Patent No. 923649 and French Patent No. 7415733. As disclosed therein, an isotropic cellulose mixed ester membrane, was treated with a cationic colloidal melamine formaldehyde resin to provide charge functionality. 
     Assignee herein has also developed cationic charge modified microporous membranes for use in the filtration of fluids. These cationic membranes, their preparation and use are described in Barnes, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,475 and Ostreicher, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,474. Cationic charge modified nylon membranes covered by these inventions are now being sold by CUNO Incorporated under the trademark ZETAPOR. Pall Corp., Glen Cove, N.Y. is also selling a cationic charge modified nylon membrane under trademark N 66  POSIDYNE produced by the cocasting process. See Degen, et al. U.S. Pat. 4,702,804. 
     Anionically charged microporous filter membrane for the removal of fine charged particulates from liquids used for crossflow filtration are also known, see Chu, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,604,208. 
     However, most of these membranes, particularly nylon membranes, to a greater or lesser degree tend to bind proteinaceous materials, e.g., BSA, IgG, during filtration of fluids containing these proteins. It is theorized that this is due to the interaction of the residual charged groups on, for example, the nylon membrane with the protein molecules. This tends to clog the membranes more rapidly, increase pressure drop and, perhaps more importantly, remove desirable proteins from the solution being filtered. 
     For example, the DURAPORE hydroxyl-modified poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) filter from Millipore, Inc., has been advertised frequently as a membrane of highest product recovery. Millipore&#39;s studies show that nylon membrane consistently binds 50-100 times more protein per sq. cm than DURAPORE. 
     Pall Corporation offers a product called Bio-Inert Membrane filter which is a hydrophilic hydroxyl-modified polyamide (nylon 66) membrane. The membrane is said to be &#34; . . . too rich in covalent-linked hydroxyl groups, which are an integral component of the membrane . . . making it inherently hydrophilic and virtually passive to adsorption of protein.&#34; (Filtration News, Pall Corp., winter 1987) This membrane is claimed to bind less than 3-5 μg of protein per cm 2  filter area. 
     European patent application Publication No. 0272842 to Pall Corp. describes a porous polymeric medium having low protein affinity. More specifically, this reference describes coating nylon 66 with a condensation reaction of (a) a polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl moieties with (b) a cross-linking agent having radicals or other moieties capable of reacting with the hydroxyl moieties on the polymer, followed by curing. Examples of (a) are cellulose derivatives, hydroxyalkyl esters of cellulose and hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, e.g. polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol and starch. Examples of (b) are compounds having acidic moieties, e.g. carboxylic acid groups and phenolic groups, as well as methylol compounds, resoles, amide groups and aldehydes, copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylamide, copolymers of acrylic acid and N-methylol acrylamide and polyacrylic acid. 
     Hou et al U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,663,163, 4,687,820 and 4,724,207 in their preferred embodiment describe polysaccharides, polypeptides and siliceous materials modified by a polymer of a reactive monomer such as glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) or glycidyl acrylate (GA), and another functional monomer such as diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEAE), or β-carboxy ethyl acrylate (β-CEA) to obtain an ion-exchange media for molecular separation or chromatography. 
     Of additional interest are the following U. S. patents: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
U.S. Pat. No.       Inventor                                              
______________________________________                                    
4,377,100           Fydelor et al                                         
4,618,533           Steuck                                                
4,634,604           Tlustakova et al                                      
4,702,840           Degen et al                                           
4,765,897           Cadotte et al                                         
4,778,596           Linder et al                                          
4,828,700           Fibiger et al                                         
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Degen et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,266 discloses polyamide membranes produced by the cocasting method which may be useful for processing biological and biochemical preparations. The membranes are prepared from a casting solution comprised of an alcohol insoluble polyamide resin and a water soluble membrane surface modifying polymer. The surface modifying polymers may include hydroxy alkyl acrylates. 
     Tlustakova U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,604 discloses a method for producing a biocompatible layer on the surface of particulate sorbent material. The biocompatible layer is a homopolymer or copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. 
     Fydelor et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,010 discloses a biocompatible device comprising a base polymer having a surface of a graft copolymer selected from acrylic acid and alkyl substituted acrylic acids. 
     The remainder of the aforecited patents generally disclose separation membranes which are coated, encapsulated or surface modified with a polymeric compound. Cadotte et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,897 and Fibiger et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,700 disclose a polyamide reverse osmosis membrane which may be treated with a rejection enhancing agent which may comprise a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate with methacrylate acid. 
     Steuck U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,533 (Millipore Corp.) describes modifying microporous membranes which are hydrophobic to make them hydrophilic with hydroxy alkyl acrylates or methacrylates cross-linked with difunctional acrylates or methacrylates, e.g., glycidyl acrylate. 
     It is thus desirable to modify the surfaces, in particular the microporous microstructure, of such membranes to achieve effective removal of impurities from protein containing solutions without altering product yield, i.e. removing protein. Such a modified membrane must not have excessive extractables, the pore structure should not be altered or blocked, the modifying agent must be bio-compatible and non-toxic and the membrane&#39;s physical-mechanical properties must not be detrimentally effected by such modification. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a novel modified microporous membrane, particularly suitable for the filtration of biological or parenteral liquids which has low protein binding capacity. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a process for modifying a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane to produce a low protein binding membrane. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an isotropic modified microporous nylon membrane which has low extractables suitable for the filtration of biological or parenteral liquids and has a low binding capacity for protein. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to prepare a sanitizable or sterilizable nylon microporous membrane for the efficient removal of contaminants from liquids, which has a low capacity for binding protein. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a modified nylon microporous membrane which has improved physical properties. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a modified microporous membrane produced by post-treatment of a preformed hydrophilic membrane with a modifying polymer without substantial pore blockage or decrease in hydrophilicity. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a modified nylon microporous membrane which has enhanced hydrophilicity. 
     These and other objects of this invention are attained by a novel modified microporous membrane. The membrane of this invention comprises an organic polymeric microporous membrane having microporous surfaces and having hydroxyl, mercapto, carboxyl or amino functionality on the surfaces modified by a reactive modifying polymer. The modifying polymer is a polymer chain having along the polymer chain epoxy or epithio functional groups capable of reacting with the functionality on the surface of the membrane and terminal neutral chemical functionality. 
     This invention is further directed to a process for producing said membrane by applying to the membrane the aforesaid modifying polymer. Preferably the process for modifying the membrane comprises contacting the membrane with solutions of the polymer and then curing the membrane to react or bond the polymer to the microporous membrane surfaces. Optionally, the modified membrane may be made by cocasting the modified polymer with the organic polymer used to produce the microporous membrane. 
     The preferred microporous membrane is nylon, particularly nylon 66, i.e. polyhexamethylene adipamide. The preferred modifying polymer is a reaction of product of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 3-hydroxypropyl acrylate (HPA). The modified microporous membrane of this invention may be used for the filtration of fluids, particularly parenteral or biological liquids containing proteins. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the formation of the modifying polymer used for membrane modification and other monomers for use in forming the polymer. 
     FIG. 2 is a graph entitled &#34;Effect of Polymer Concentration&#34;; see Example 13. 
     FIG. 3 is a graph entitled &#34;Effect of pH on IgG Binding to Membrane&#34;; see Example 16. 
     FIG. 4 is a graph entitled &#34;Effect of Salt on Protein Binding by Membrane&#34;; see Example 12. 
     FIG. 5 is a graph entitled &#34;Surface Modification of Nylon Membrane&#34;. 
     FIG. 6 is a graph entitled &#34;Comparison of Prior Art Pall Bio-Inert vs. Modified Membrane&#34;. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The modified microporous membrane of this invention is preferably produced from a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane and most preferably nylon 66. Such membranes are well known in the art. 
     By the use of the term &#34;microporous membrane&#34; as used herein, it is meant a substantially symmetrical, substantially isotropic porous membrane having a pore size of at least 0.05 microns or larger or an initial bubble point (IBP), as that term is used herein, in water of less than 120 psi. A maximum pore size useful for this invention is about 1.2 micron or an IBP of greater than about 10 psi. By &#34;symmetrical&#34; it is meant that the pore structure is substantially the same on both sides of the membrane. A number of commercially available membranes not encompassed by the term &#34;microporous membrane&#34; are &#34;asymmetric&#34;, i.e. having one side formed with a very light thin layer which is supported by a much more porous open structure. By the use of the term &#34;isotropic&#34; , it is meant the membrane has a uniform pore structure throughout the membrane. 
     By the use of the term &#34;hydrophilic&#34; in describing the microporous membrane, it is meant a membrane which adsorbs or absorbs water. Generally, such hydrophilicity is produced by a sufficient amount of hydroxyl (OH-), carboxyl (-COOH), amino (NH 2 ) and/or similar functional groups on the surface of the membrane. Such groups assist in the adsorption and/or absorption of the water onto the membrane. Such hydrophilicity of the membrane is a necessary element of this invention to provide the adequate bonding of the modifying polymer through the epoxy or epithio substituent to the microporous membrane. 
     A preferred microporous membrane is one produced from nylon. The term &#34;nylon&#34; is intended to embrace film forming polyamide resins including copolymers and terpolymers which include the recurring amido grouping. 
     While, generally, the various nylon or polyamide resins are all copolymers of a diamine and a dicarboxylic acid, or homopolymers of a lactam of an amino acid, they vary widely in crystallinity or solid structure, melting point, and other physical properties. Preferred nylons for use in this invention are copolymers of hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid (nylon 66), copolymers of tetramethylene diamine and adipic acid (nylon 46) copolymers of hexamethylene diamine and sebacic acid (nylon 610), and homopolymers of poly (caprolactam) (nylon 6). 
     Alternatively, these preferred polyamide resins have a ratio of methylene (CH 2 ) to amide (NHCO) groups within the range about 5:1 to about 8:1, most preferably about 5:1 to about 7:1. Nylon 6 and nylon 66 each have a ratio of 6:1, whereas nylon 610 has a ratio of 8:1. 
     The nylon polymers are available in a wide variety of grades, which vary appreciably with respect to molecular weight, within the range from about 15,000 to about 42,000 and in other characteristics. 
     The highly preferred species of the units composing the polymer chain is polyhexamethylene adipamide, i.e. nylon 66, and molecular weights in the range above about 30,000 are preferred. Polymers free of additives are generally preferred, but the addition of antioxidants or similar additives may have benefit under some conditions. 
     The preferred membrane substrates are produced by the method disclosed in Marinaccio, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,738 Another method of producing such membranes is described in European patent application No. 0 005 536 to Pall. The entire disclosures of both of these references are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Additionally, any of the hydrophilic microporous membranes commercially available, for example, Pall Corp.&#39;s ULTIPOR N 66  (nylon), or Cuno, Inc.&#39;s nylon microporous membrane having characteristics potentially suitable for fine filtration of fluids, particularly aqueous systems, are suitable for treatment in accordance with this invention. 
     These preferred nylon membranes, i.e. described in Marinaccio, et al. and Pall, are characterized by an isotropic structure, having a high effective surface area and a fine internal microstructure of controlled pore dimensions with narrow pore size distribution and adequate pore volume. For example, a representative 0.22 micrometer rated nylon 66 membrane (polyhexamethylene adipamide) exhibits an initial bubble point (IBP) of about 45 to 50 psid., a foam all over point (FAOP) of about 50 to 55 psid, provides a flow of from 70 to 80 ml/min of water at 5 psid (47 mm. diameter discs), has a surface area (BET, nitrogen adsorption) of about 13 m 2  /g and a thickness of about 4.5 to 4.75 mils. 
     The polymer which modifies the membrane may be a homopolymer or a copolymer, with copolymers being preferred. However, polymers wherein polymerizable compounds, (a) and (b) herein, are the same, are within the scope of the present invention. The definition of the polymer as a homo- or copolymer depends on whether the polymerizable compound making up the polymer is the same or different. In its most general form, the copolymer may be a random, a block, or an alternating copolymer. 
     Generally and preferably, the modifying polymer is a polymer comprising the polymerization product of (a) a polymerizable compound which has a chemical group capable of direct or indirect covalent coupling to the surface functional groups of the membrane with (b) one or more polymerizable compounds having a terminal neutral substituent. 
     Comonomer (a), above, preferably contains vinyl unsaturation to promote polymerization and/or copolymerization with other monomers and, at the same time, contains a group capable of covalent bonding to the microporous membrane through the hydroxyl, mercapto, carboxyl and amino substituents on the membrane. Preferred groups for covalently bonding to the membrane include glycidyl groups. Among the compounds containing a glycidyl group are the ethers or esters formed between a glycidyl alcohol and an unsaturated alcohol or unsaturated carboxylic acid. Typical glycidyl alcohols are aliphatic and cyclo-aliphatic alcohols and ether alcohols having from 3 to 18 carbon atoms which are esterified with an alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxylic acid, preferably acrylic or methacrylic acid, or are etherified with olefinically or acetylenically unsaturated alcohol. Preferred compounds are glycidyl acrylate (GA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). Other comonomer (a) compounds may be 4-5-epoxy-pentyl acrylate; 4-(2,3-epoxy propyl)-N-butyl methacrylate; 9,10-epoxystearyl acrylate; 4-(2,3-epoxy propyl)cyclohexyl methacrylate; ethylene glycol-monoglycidylether acrylate, allyl glycidyl ether, N-acryloyl-oxysuccinimide, N-methacyrloyloxysuccinimide, 2,3 epithiopropyl acrylate, 2,3 epithiopropyl methacrylate, and the like. 
     Comonomer (b) is a polymerizable unsaturated compound carrying neutral, i.e. uncharged, chemical groups such as hydroxyl groups, amide groups, alkyl groups, aryl groups and the like. Preferred among comonomers (b) are C 1  -C 6  alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, or the corresponding hydroxy alkyl acrylates or methacrylates. The function of comonomer (b) is to decrease the bonding of proteins to the polymers, so as to provide the desired inhibition of protein binding. 
     Generally, the preferred comonomer (b) is ##STR2## wherein R 1  is an alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable radical of two or three carbon atoms; 
     R 2  is an alkyl substituent of two to five carbon atoms having a terminal hydroxyl functionality or (R 3  O) n  H, 
     wherein R 3  is an alkyl substituent of two or three carbon atoms and n is 1 to 20. 
     Preferred comonomer (b) components are 2-hydroxy acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), 3-hydroxpropyl acrylate (HPA), poly(ethylene glycol) mono-acrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate and hydroxyethyl methacrylate and isomers thereof. 
     The minimum ratio of comonomer (a) to total comonomer content is important. The synthetic polymer should have a sufficient amount of comonomer (a) to permit substantial covalent coupling of the modifying polymer to the membrane. If too little comonomer (a) is present in the polymer, then grafting becomes difficult, if not impossible. Generally, about 4% to 20%, preferably 5% to 10% by weight of comonomer (a) relative to the total of (a) plus (b) is needed. 
     The free radical addition polymerization of free radical polymerizable comonomers (a) and (b) is carried out with free radical initiators using the steps of initiation, addition and termination. Such procedures are well known in the art. A preferred procedure is to utilize a substance or substances which produce radicals capable of reacting with the monomers. Probably the simplest of all polymerization initiators are the organic peroxides and azo compounds. These substances decompose spontaneously into free radicals in common organic solvents at a finite rate, at temperatures between 50° and 140° C. For example, benzoyl peroxide decomposes into two benzoyloxy radicals at 60° C. Another example is afforded by the azo compound azo-bisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) which similarly decomposes into radicals at easily accessible temperatures. 
     The necessary energy may also be provided by irradiating the initiator system with ultraviolet light. For example, initiation can be provided by irradiating the initiator system in the presence of photo initiators such as benzophenone and its derivatives, benzoin alkyl ethers or derivatives, or acetophenone, with ultraviolet light. It is then necessary that the initiator molecules absorb in the spectral region supplied. In this way radicals can be generated at a finite rate at considerably lower temperatures than are necessary if purely thermal excitation is used. Finally, bimolecular reactions may produce radicals capable of initiating polymerization. Particularly important are the redox reactions, which occur in aqueous media, and involve electron transfer processes. For example, the system Fe(II) plus hydrogen peroxide, or Ag(I), plus S 2  O 8  --are particularly important in initiating the radical polymerization of monomers. Because of the low temperature of initiation, the redox initiators or photochemically induced initiators are particularly preferred in the present invention. The amount of initiator is that sufficient to initiate the polymerization reaction. Polymerization is carried out until substantially all of the monomers or comonomers have been incorporated into the polymeric chains. This can be readily ascertained by simple analytical tests on the reaction mixture. Preferably, this polymerization is accomplished just prior to the covalent coupling of the polymer to the membrane. Preferably, the coupling and polymerization are performed in the same liquid phase. 
     The most preferred method of carrying out the process is in a &#34;one-pot&#34; system. All desired comonomers are added to an inert solvent system, such as, e.g., water, alcohols, organics, and the like, preferably producing a clear coating solution of the modifying polymer. Preferred solvents are N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone, dioxane, N,N-di-methyl formamide. The comonomers are treated under conditions which will initiate polymerization of the comonomers. This can be accomplished, for example, by adding an initiator, e.g. azo-bis-isobutyronitrile (AIBN) to a well stirred mixture of monomers in N,N-di-methyl formamide, and initiating polymerization from about 60° C. to 85° C. Alternatively, a photolabile initiator can be added and initiation caused by photochemical means. After stirring for a time sufficient to allow the polymerization to proceed to completion, the linking of the formed copolymer to the membrane is caused by applying the modifying polymer to the membrane causing condensation of the modifying polymer to the membrane. 
     The preferred method of applying the polymer to the membrane is coating the membrane by dipping the membrane in the polymer or spraying, brushing, etc. the membrane with the polymer. Optionally, the modifying polymer may be applied to the membrane by cocasting the modifying polymer with the polymer used to form the membrane. Such methods are well known in the art of charge modified nylon membrane; see, for example, the aforecited Degen et al patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,702,840 and 4,707,266), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     In the case when the linking group on the copolymer is a glycidyl group, it may be desirable to heat the polymer to cause such condensation; such temperature is normally around 80°-120° C. or higher. Reaction time is then allowed to proceed for a time sufficient to either go to completion, or to achieve modification of the membrane to the desired performance. 
     The product is then washed and dried for further treatment, if necessary. Unreacted monomers, oligomer and polymer can be washed away with a good solvent. 
     The amount of modifying polymer used is an amount sufficient to inhibit the capture of proteinaceous material on the membrane. Such an amount is highly dependent on a specific modifying agent utilized and the membrane modified. 
     The weight ratio of reactive polymer membrane to the membrane is freely adjustable, and varies from 0.1 to 25% by weight. 
     Broadly, the process of this invention is directed to modifying a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane, e.g. nylon to inhibit the capture of proteinaceous material on said membrane. 
     The process comprises applying to the membrane a modifying amount of the aforesaid modifying polymer. Preferably the membrane is contacted with the modifying polymer. 
     Although Applicants do not wish to be bound by the following theory, it is believed that in the bonding the modifying polymer agent to the microporous membrane the epoxy or epithio groups on the polymer enter into addition type reactions with the hydroxyl, carboxyl and primary and secondary amines, which are on the hydrophilic microporous membrane. These reactions may be represented as follows: ##STR3## 
     FIG. 1 depicts what is believed to be a typical chemical reaction between comonomer (a), e.g., glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), and comonomer (b) 2-hydroxy-ethyl acrylate (HEA) to produce the modifying polymer. Other comonomer (b) components are also chemically depicted. 
     After the microporous membrane has been contacted with the modifying polymer solution it is then dried and cured preferably in a restrained conditioned to prevent shrinkage. 
     Drying of the membrane under restraint is described in the Assignee&#39;s copending Defensive Publication No. T-103,601. The entire disclosure of this Application is incorporated herein by reference. Generally, any suitable restraining technique may be used while drying, such as winding the membrane tightly about a drying surface, e.g. a drum. Biaxial control is preferred and tensioning of the membrane on a stretching frame is considered the most preferred. Preferably, the restraint imposed effects no reduction in dimensions. 
     Final drying and curing temperature should be to dry and cure the treated membranes, preferably from about 90° C. to about 140° C. for minimization of drying times without embrittlement or other detrimental effects to the membrane. 
     The completed membrane may be rolled and stored for use under ambient conditions. It will be understood that the treated membranes may be supplied in any of the usual commercial forms, for example, as disks or pleated cartridges. The present invention provides an integral coherent microporous membrane of retained internal poor geometry. The modified membrane has a filtration ratings substantially similar to that of the untreated membrane but the binding of proteinaceous material to the membrane is minimized. 
     For so-called sterile filtrations involving biological liquids, the filter is sanitized or sterilized by autoclaving or hot water flushing. Accordingly, the modified membrane must be resistant to this type treatment and must be retain its integrity in use. Any modification to the filter structure, especially brought about by chemical agents which may be unstable under conditions of treatment and use must be scrutinized with care to minimize the prospect of extractables contaminating the filtrate, interfering with analysis and potentially introducing harmful toxins to patients. Specifically any such filter must meet the test standards in the industry, e.g. ASTM D3861-79 (incorporated herein by reference), and generally proved less than 5 mg of extractables and 250 ml solvent (water at 80° C., 35% ethanol at room temperature) for 293 mm diameter disk. 
     The resulting modified membrane is characterized by retention of internal microstructure, thus offering essentially the same flow characteristics as the untreated membrane. 
     The modified membrane additionally is easy to handle and readily formed into convoluted structures, e.g. pleated configurations. By reason of its retained flow characteristics it may be employed directly in existing installations, without pumping modifications. 
     Further, the preferred modified nylon membrane achieves more than 90% reduction in protein binding compared to unmodified nylon membrane; the porosity of the modified nylon membrane was not blocked by the grafted polymer as evidenced from the bubble point test; the modified nylon membrane has improved wettability when exposed to water and other polar solvents evidenced from the lowering of bubble point measurement; the modified nylon membrane has improved mechanical strength due to the presence of grafted acrylics; the modified nylon membrane is steam sterilizable and autoclavable; and it is biologically safe since the extracted levels are extremely low and the acrylic polymers are non-toxic in nature. 
     The foregoing favorable properties are secured without sacrifice of other desirable characteristics. The membrane may also be constructed to meet or exceed extractable requirements. 
     The membrane, although preferably in film form, may be in fibrous or hollow fiber configuration. 
     Filter membranes in accordance with this invention may be employed alone or in combination with other filter media to treat recombinant DNA products, protein based therapeutic and diagnostic products, protein containing buffer solutions, protein chromatography feed and eluates, vaccines and other biological processing solutions, pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, saline solutions, dextral solutions, vaccines, blood plasma, serums, sterile water or eye washes; beverages such as cordials, gin, vodka, beer, scotch, whiskey, sweet and dry wines, champagne or brandy; cosmetics such as mouth wash, perfume, shampoo, hair tonic, and face creams, and have their use in their main property of preventing the attachment of proteinaceous material to the membrane to thereby undesirably change the composition of the fluid being filtered. 
     EXAMPLES 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Preparation of Modified Nylon Membrane 
     (1) Preparation of Reactive Polymer Solution 
     A reactive polymer solution was prepared by the following procedure: 
     (a) 300 ml of dimethyl formamide (DMF) was poured into a 500 ml 4-neck flask, purged with N 2  for 1/2-hour, heated to 60° C. and stirred. 
     (b) The following monomers were added into the flask: Hydroxypropyl Acrylate (HPA)=28.5 g (95 parts by weight) Glycidyl Methacrylate (GMA)=1.5 g (5 parts by weight) (hereinafter HPA/EMA--95/5) 
     (c) The mixture was purged for additional 1/2-hour with N 2 . 
     (d) 1.5% (0.45 G) of azo-bis-isobutylnitrile (AIBN) was added as initiator and the reaction polymerized overnight. (The reaction temperature was kept at 60°-70° C. or 65°-75° C.). 
     (2) Coating Process 
     (a) The nylon membrane was dipped into the reactive polymer solution for a period of time. 
     (b) The membrane was removed an excess solvent stripped from the membrane. 
     (c) The membrane was cured in an oven at 90°-100° C. for one hour. The membrane was weighed and then washed with water. 
     (d) The membrane was then oven-dried at 60° C. and weighed again. 
     EXAMPLES 2-21 
     Modified nylon membranes produced in accordance With the general procedures of Example 1 were used in the following examples. Generally, the protein binding capacity of modified nylon membrane was determined by several methods: 
     (1) Static Method 
     The membrane to be tested was immersed in a C-14 labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution with shaking for a period of time. The unbound radioactive protein solution was counted by a Beckman LS-7000 Scintillation System. 
     (2) Dynamic Flow Test 
     Protein solutions were passed through the modified membrane under different test conditions, i.e., different pH, different salt concentrations, different test proteins, (i.e., BSA, IgG), different flow rates, different protein concentrations, different volumes of protein solutions, different types of nylon membranes (i.e. 0.2 μ single layer, 0.2 μ double layer, 0.45 μ double layer, 0.65 μ reinforced nylon membrane and a competitor&#39;s 0.2 μ double layer membrane [Pall Bio-Inert]), and autoclave tests, etc. The unbound protein solution concentration was analyzed by Lowry assay method. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     EFFECT OF MEMBRANE PORE SIZE ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     The nylon membranes were modified with the modifying polymer (HPA/GMA=95/5) solution. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; pH 5.2 acetate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl; volume of BSA solution: 75 ml; concentration of BSA solution: 84.92 μg/ml) 
     
                       TABLE 1                                                     
______________________________________                                    
               Conc.      Conc.                                           
               of unbound of bound                                        
               BSA solution                                               
                          BSA solution                                    
                                     %                                    
Type of Membrane                                                          
               (μg/ml) (μg/ml) bound                                
______________________________________                                    
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               77.78      7.14       8.41                                 
(single layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               82.78      2.14       2.52                                 
(single layer, 0.2 m)                                                     
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               78.50      6.42       7.56                                 
(double layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               82.78      2.14       2.52                                 
(double layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               77.07      7.85       9.24                                 
(double layer, 0.45 μ)                                                 
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               79.21      5.71       6.72                                 
(double layer, 0.45 μ)                                                 
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               80.64      4.28       5.04                                 
(reinforced single                                                        
layer, 0.65 μ)                                                         
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               82.07      2.85       3.36                                 
(reinforced single                                                        
layer, 0.65 μ)                                                         
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 3 
     EFFECT OF MEMBRANE PORE SIZE ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     The nylon membranes were modified with the reactive polymer (HPA/GMA=95/5) solution. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; pH 7.2 phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl; volume of IgG solution: 75 ml concentration of IgG solution: 104.99 μg/ml) 
     
                       TABLE 2                                                     
______________________________________                                    
               Amt. of IgG                                                
                          Amt. of IgG                                     
               Applied    Bound      %                                    
Type of Membrane                                                          
               (μg)    (μg)    bound                                
______________________________________                                    
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               7874.25    1259.25    15.99                                
(single layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               7874.25     792.75    10.07                                
(single layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               7874.25    1866.00    23.70                                
(double layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               9337.50     855.00     9.16                                
(double layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               7874.25    1632.75    20.74                                
(double layer, 0.45 μ)                                                 
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               7874.25     653.25     8.30                                
(double layer, 0.45 μ)                                                 
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               7874.25    1492.50    18.95                                
(reinforced single                                                        
layer, 0.65 μ)                                                         
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
               7874.25     746.25     9.48                                
(reinforced single                                                        
layer, 0.65 μ                                                          
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 4 
     THE EFFECT OF PROTEIN CONCENTRATION ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     The nylon membranes were modified with the modifying polymer (HPA/GMA=95/5) solution. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; 75 ml of IgG solution in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2 with 0.1 M NaCl) 
     
                       TABLE 3                                                     
______________________________________                                    
            Conc.    Amt.      Amt.                                       
            of IgG   of IgG    of IgG                                     
            solution applied   bound                                      
Type of Membrane                                                          
            (μg/ml)                                                    
                     (μg)   (μg)                                    
                                      % bound                             
______________________________________                                    
modified nylon                                                            
            115.0     8625.0    750.0 8.70                                
membrane                                                                  
(single layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            615.0    46125.0   4650.0 10.08                               
membrane                                                                  
(single layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            124.5     9337.5    855.0 9.16                                
membrane                                                                  
(double layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            565.0    42375.0   1137.5 2.68                                
membrane                                                                  
(double layer, 0.2 μ)                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            124.5     9337.5    912.5 9.77                                
membrane                                                                  
(single layer re-                                                         
inforced, 0.65 μ)                                                      
modified nylon                                                            
            565.0    42375.0   1850.0 4.37                                
membrane                                                                  
(single layer re-                                                         
inforced, 0.65 μ)                                                      
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 5 
     EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION OF BSA SOLUTION ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     A 0.45 μ single layer nylon membrane was modified with the modifying polymer HPA/GMA=95/5 at room temperature for one hour. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; one pass of 25 ml of different concentrations of BSA solution at pH 7.2 phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl) 
     
                       TABLE 4                                                     
______________________________________                                    
            Conc.    Amt.                                                 
            of BSA   of BSA  Amt. of BSA                                  
            solution applied bound                                        
Type of Membrane                                                          
            (μg/ml)                                                    
                     (μg) (μg)  % bound                             
______________________________________                                    
control nylon                                                             
            25.20     630.00 70.00    11.11                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            25.20     630.00 ˜0 ˜0                            
membrane                                                                  
control nylon                                                             
            89.96    2249.00 330.75   14.71                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            89.96    2249.00 191.50    8.51                               
membrane                                                                  
control nylon                                                             
            373.78   9344.50 1532.00  16.39                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            373.78   9344.50 905.25    9.69                               
membrane                                                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 6 
     EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION OF IgG SOLUTION ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     A 0.45 μ single layer nylon membrane was modified with the modifying reactive polymer HPA/GMA=95/5. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; one pass of 25 ml of different concentration of IgG solution at pH 7.2 in phosphate buffer without saline) 
     
                       TABLE 5                                                     
______________________________________                                    
            Conc.    Amt.                                                 
            of IgG   of IgG  Amt. of IgG                                  
            solution applied bound                                        
Type of Membrane                                                          
            (μg/ml)                                                    
                     (μg) (μg)  % bound                             
______________________________________                                    
control nylon                                                             
             27.5     687.5  312.5    45.45                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
             27.5     687.5  50.0      7.27                               
membrane                                                                  
control nylon                                                             
            100.0     2500.0 1375.0   55.00                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            100.0     2500.0 237.5     9.50                               
membrane                                                                  
control nylon                                                             
            440.0    11000.0 3500.0   31.82                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            440.0    11000.0 1500.0   13.64                               
membrane                                                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 7 
     EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION OF IgG SOLUTION ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     A 0.45 μ single layer nylon membrane was modified with the modifying polymer HPA/GMA=95/5. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; one pass of 25 ml of different concentration of IgG solution at pH 7.2 phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl) 
     
                       TABLE 6                                                     
______________________________________                                    
            Conc.    Amt.                                                 
            of IgG   of IgG  Amt. of IgG                                  
            solution applied bound                                        
Type of Membrane                                                          
            (μg/ml)                                                    
                     (μg) (μg)  % bound                             
______________________________________                                    
control nylon                                                             
             27.5     687.5  375.0    54.55                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
             27.5     687.5  12.5      1.82                               
membrane                                                                  
control nylon                                                             
            108.5     2712.5 1112.5   41.01                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            108.5     2712.5 325.0    11.98                               
membrane                                                                  
control nylon                                                             
            444.0    11100.0 3300.0   29.73                               
membrane                                                                  
modified nylon                                                            
            444.0    11100.0 1650.0   14.86                               
membrane                                                                  
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 8 
     PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MODIFIED NYLON MEMBRANE 
     The nylon membranes (0.45 μ) were modified with a modified polymer solution HPA/GMA or HEA/GMA with different monomer ratios (by weight). 
     
                       TABLE 7                                                     
______________________________________                                    
               Flow Rate                                                  
               at 5 psi                                                   
Sample         (ml/min)  IBP (psi) FAOP (psi)                             
______________________________________                                    
Control nylon membrane                                                    
               82        43.0      44.0                                   
Nylon membrane                                                            
modified with                                                             
HPA/GMA (99/1) 78        35.0      35.5                                   
HEA/GMA (99/1) 78        40.0      40.0                                   
HPA/GMA (95/5) 90        28.0      28.0                                   
HEA/GMA (95/5) 80        40.0      40.0                                   
HPA/GMA (90/10)                                                           
               70        37.5      37.5                                   
HEA/GMA (90/10)                                                           
               82        40.5      40.5                                   
______________________________________                                    
 HPA - Hydroxypropyl Acrylate                                             
 HEA - 2Hydroxyethyl Acrylate                                             
 GMA - Glycidyl Methacrylate                                              
 IBP - Initial Bubble Point                                               
 FAOP - FoamAll-Over-Point                                                
 
    
     The measurement of membrane bubble point directly reflects the wettability of the membrane surfaces. The lowering of the bubble point of the modified membrane relates to the improved surface wettability of the membrane produced by such modification. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     PROTEIN BINDING TEST BY C-14 LABELED BSA FOR NYLON MEMBRANES MODIFIED WITH HEA/GMA OR HPA/GMA 
     The following procedure was followed to determine BSA binding by the static method: 
     1. Prepare 10 μg/ml of C-14 labeled BSA &#34;hot&#34; stock solution in 10 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.2. 
     2. Prepare 10 mg/ml of BSA &#34;cold&#34; stock solution in 10 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.2. 
     3. Mix 0.5 ml &#34;hot&#34; BSA solution and 2.5 ml &#34;cold&#34; BSA solution together in 100 ml of 10 mM phosphate buffer to get 250 μg/ml of BSA working solution with activity=2423.40 cpm/ml, specific activity=9.6936 cpm/μg of BSA. 
     4. A 47 mm nylon membrane disk was placed in a 250 ml of beaker. 
     5. The radioactive BSA solution (10.0 ml) was pipetted into the beaker, then agitated on an orbital shaker for 19 hours. 
     6. 1 ml of aliquots of unbound BSA solution was counted for 10 min. by a Beckman LS 7500 Liquid Scintillation system. 
     7. 34.70 cm 2  of membrane area was used to calculate the BSA bound/Area (μg/cm 2 ). 
     LOW PROTEIN BINDING TEST RESULT BY C-14 LABELED BSA FOR NYLON MEMBRANES MODIFIED WITH HEA/GMA OR HPA/GMA REACTIVE POLYMER SOLUTION PREPARED AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE WITH VARIED MONOMER RATIO 
     The nylon membranes were dipped into a modifying polymer solution for different times (1 min., 5 min., 1 hr.), then, the membrane was oven-cured at 90°-100° C. for 1 hour, water-washed, oven-dried, and autoclaved for 1 hour. (radioactive BSA solution: 250 μg/ml; activity=2423.40 cmp/ml; specific activity=9.6936 cpm/μg, 34.70 cm 2  of 0.45 μ membrane area exposed) 
     
                                           TABLE 8                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
                                Total                                     
                                    BSA                                   
                      Unbound                                             
                           Bound                                          
                                BSA bound/                                
                 Unbound                                                  
                      BSA  BSA  bound                                     
                                    area                                  
Sample           (cpm/ml)                                                 
                      (μg/ml)                                          
                           (μg/ml)                                     
                                (μg)                                   
                                    (μg/cm.sup.2)                      
__________________________________________________________________________
Control nylon membrane                                                    
                 1599.65                                                  
                      165.02                                              
                           84.98                                          
                                849.8                                     
                                    24.49                                 
Control nylon membrane                                                    
                 1615.35                                                  
                      166.64                                              
                           83.36                                          
                                833.6                                     
                                    24.02                                 
Nylon membrane modified with:                                             
HPA/GMA-90/10 (65° C., 1 hr)                                       
                 2313.65                                                  
                      238.68                                              
                           11.32                                          
                                113.2                                     
                                    3.26                                  
HPA/GMA-90/10 (65° C., 1 hr)                                       
                 2331.20                                                  
                      240.49                                              
                           9.51 95.1                                      
                                    2.74                                  
HEA/GMA-90/10 (65° C., 1 hr)                                       
                 2254.05                                                  
                      232.53                                              
                           17.47                                          
                                174.7                                     
                                    5.03                                  
HEA/GMA-90/10 (65° C., 1 hr)                                       
                 2272.20                                                  
                      234.40                                              
                           15.60                                          
                                156.0                                     
                                    4.50                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (75° C., 1 hr)                                        
                 2371.55                                                  
                      244.65                                              
                           5.35 53.5                                      
                                    1.54                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (75° C., 1 hr)                                        
                 2376.55                                                  
                      245.17                                              
                           4.83 48.3                                      
                                    1.39                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (65° C., 1 hr)                                        
                 2373.20                                                  
                      244.82                                              
                           5.18 51.8                                      
                                    1.49                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (65° C., 1 hr)                                        
                 2330.30                                                  
                      240.40                                              
                           9.60 96.0                                      
                                    2.77                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (65° C., 1 min)                                       
                 2228.30                                                  
                      229.87                                              
                           20.13                                          
                                201.3                                     
                                    5.80                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (65° C., 1 min)                                       
                 2337.10                                                  
                      241.10                                              
                           8.90 89.0                                      
                                    2.56                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (65° C., 5 min)                                       
                 2264.30                                                  
                      233.59                                              
                           16.41                                          
                                164.1                                     
                                    4.73                                  
HPA/GMA-95/5 (65° C., 5 min)                                       
                 2359.55                                                  
                      243.41                                              
                           6.59 65.9                                      
                                    1.90                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
 The ratio of 95% HPA to 5% GMA is preferred.                             
 
    
     The ratio of 95% HPA to 5% GMA is preferred. 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     EFFECT OF POLYMER COMPOSITION AND VOLUME ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     0.45 μ nylon membrane (double layer) was modified by HPA/GMA modifying polymer solutions having different monomer ratios (90/10 or 99/1). The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; concentration of IgG solution in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl: 118.0 μg/ml). 
     
                                           TABLE 9                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
                   Amt. of IgG                                            
                          Amt. of IgG                                     
              Volume                                                      
                   applied                                                
                          bound                                           
Sample        (ml) (μg)                                                
                          (μg)                                         
                                 % bound                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              25   2950.0 450.0  15.25                                    
fied by HPA/GMA (90/10)                                                   
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              50   5900.0 700.0  11.86                                    
fied by HPA/GMA (90/10)                                                   
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              150  17700.0                                                
                          800.0  4.51                                     
fied by HPA/GMA (90/10)                                                   
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              25   2950.0 287.5  9.75                                     
fied by HPA/GMA (99/1)                                                    
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              50   5900.0 475.0  8.05                                     
fied by HPA/GMA (99/1)                                                    
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              150  17700.0                                                
                          600.0  3.39                                     
fied by HPA/GMA (99/1)                                                    
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              25   2500.0 237.5  9.50                                     
fied by HPA/GMA (95/5)                                                    
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              50   7874.0 635.0  8.06                                     
fied by HPA/GMA (95/5)                                                    
Nylon membrane modi-                                                      
              150  11000.0                                                
                          1500.0 13.63                                    
fied by HPA/GMA (95/5)                                                    
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     EXAMPLE 11 
     EFFECT OF FLOW RATE ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     0.45 μ nylon membranes (double layer) were modified by HPA/GMA (95/5) modifying polymer. (flow rates: 2.5 ml/min.; 5.0 ml/min.; &amp; 10.0 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; 75 mil of IgG solution in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl). 
     
                                           TABLE 10                                
__________________________________________________________________________
        Conc. of IgG                                                      
               Flow Amt. of IgG                                           
                           Amt. of                                        
        solution                                                          
               Rate applied                                               
                           IgG bound                                      
Sample  (μg/ml)                                                        
               (ml/min)                                                   
                    (μg)                                               
                           (μg)                                        
                                 % bound                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
Control nylon                                                             
        103.75 2.5  7781.25                                               
                           1778.90                                        
                                 22.86                                    
membrane                                                                  
Modified nylon                                                            
        103.75 2.5  7781.25                                               
                            715.45                                        
                                  9.19                                    
membrane                                                                  
Control nylon                                                             
        101.26 5.0  7594.50                                               
                           1940.50                                        
                                 25.55                                    
membrane                                                                  
Modified nylon                                                            
        101.26 5.0  7594.50                                               
                            659.30                                        
                                  8.68                                    
membrane                                                                  
Control nylon                                                             
        106.23 10.0 7967.25                                               
                           1843.60                                        
                                 23.14                                    
membrane                                                                  
Modified nylon                                                            
        106.23 10.0 7967.25                                               
                            677.60                                        
                                  8.50                                    
membrane                                                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     EXAMPLE 12 
     EFFECT OF SALT CONCENTRATION ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     A 0.45 μ single layer nylon membrane was modified with the modifying polymer HPA/GMA 95/5. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; one pass of 25 ml of IgG solution in 10 mM of phosphate buffer at pH 7.2). 
     
                                           TABLE 11                                
__________________________________________________________________________
                     Amt. of IgG                                          
                            Amt. of IgG                                   
             Conc. of NaCl                                                
                     applied                                              
                            bound                                         
Type of Membrane                                                          
             (M)     (μg)                                              
                            (μg)                                       
                                   % bound                                
__________________________________________________________________________
Control nylon membrane                                                    
             0       2662.5 1412.5 53.05                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
             0       2662.5 300.0  11.27                                  
Control nylon membrane                                                    
             0.10    2662.5 1250.0 46.95                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
             0.10    2662.5 162.5  6.10                                   
Control nylon membrane                                                    
             0.25    2675.0 1325.0 49.53                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
             0.25    2675.0 362.5  13.55                                  
Control nylon membrane                                                    
             0.50    2675.0 1375.0 51.40                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
             0.50    2675.0 375.0  14.02                                  
Control nylon membrane                                                    
             1.00    2637.5 1637.5 62.09                                  
Modified nylon membrane                                                   
             1.00    2637.5 587.5  22.28                                  
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     EXAMPLE 13 
     EFFECT OF AMOUNT OF POLYMER ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     0.45 μ nylon membranes were modified by the HPA/GMA (95/5) modifying polymer solution with different dilution (10%, 5%, 2%, 1% by weight of polymer). The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. 
     (Flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; concentration of IgG solution in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2 With 0.1 M NaCl; 89.44 μg/ml; one pass of 75 ml of protein solution) 
     
                                           TABLE 12                                
__________________________________________________________________________
               Weight of                                                  
                     Weight of                                            
               Membrane                                                   
                     Membrane                                             
                           Conc. of IgG                                   
               Before                                                     
                     After Solution,                                      
               Treatment                                                  
                     Treatment                                            
                           Bound                                          
Sample         (g)   (g)   (μg/ml)                                     
                                  % bound                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
Nylon membrane treated with                                               
10% HPA/GMA reactive                                                      
               3.17  3.82  6.84   7.65                                    
polymer                                                                   
5% HPA/GMA reactive                                                       
               3.02  3.33  10.57  11.82                                   
polymer                                                                   
2% HPA/GMA reactive                                                       
               2.93  3.04  15.55  17.39                                   
polymer                                                                   
1% HPA/GMA reactive                                                       
               2.98  3.03  15.55  17.39                                   
polymer                                                                   
Control nylon membrane     25.50  28.51                                   
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     FIG. 2 is a graph depicting similar tests on a different membrane (0.45μ double layer). 
     EXAMPLE 14 
     STUDY OF PROTEIN (IgG) SATURATION DURING THE FLOW TEST ON THE LOW PROTEIN BINDING MEMBRANE 
     (prepare 800 ml of 93.17 μg/ml of IgG solution in 10 mM of phosphate buffer at pH 7.2 with 0.1 M NaCl; 9 ml of effluent collected in each test tube; 47 mm disk of 0.45 μ double layer modified nylon membrane (HPA/GMA - 95/5) was used; 15.135 cm 2  of filtration area. 
     
                       TABLE 13                                                    
______________________________________                                    
                Conc. of Total IgG                                        
       Conc. of IgG      bound                                            
       IgG      Solution in 9 ml area                                     
       Solution (bound)  aliquot (μg/                                  
Sample (μg/ml)                                                         
                (μg/ml)                                                
                         (μg) cm.sup.2)                                
                                       % bound                            
______________________________________                                    
Inlet  93.17    --       --      --    --                                 
9    ml    75.14    18.03  162.27  10.72 19.35                            
45   ml    87.58    5.59   50.31   3.32  6.00                             
90   ml    90.06    3.11   27.99   1.85  3.34                             
135  ml    89.44    3.73   33.57   2.22  4.00                             
180  ml    90.06    3.11   27.99   1.85  3.34                             
225  ml    91.31    1.86   16.74   1.11  2.00                             
270  ml    91.31    1.86   16.74   1.11  2.00                             
315  ml    91.93    1.24   11.16   0.74  1.33                             
360  ml    91.93    1.24   11.16   0.74  1.33                             
405  ml    91.31    1.86   16.74   1.11  2.00                             
450  ml    91.93    1.24   11.16   0.74  1.33                             
495  ml    92.55    0.62   5.58    0.37  0.67                             
540  ml    92.55    0.62   5.58    0.37  0.67                             
585  ml    92.55    0.62   5.58    0.37  0.67                             
630  ml    92.55    0.62   5.58    0.37  0.67                             
675  ml    92.55    0.62   5.58    0.37  0.67                             
720  ml    93.17    0      0       0     0                                
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 15 
     EFFECT OF pH ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     0.45 μ nylon membranes (double layer) were modified with the HPA/GMA (95/5) reactive polymer. 
     Test conditions: 
     Concentration of BSA solution in acetate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 5.2: 107.37 μg/ml Concentration of BSA solution in phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 7.2: 109.46 μg/ml Concentration of BSA solution in borate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 9.0: 115.25 μg/ml Flow rate: 5 ml/min.; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; 47 mm disk used. 
     
                       TABLE 14                                                    
______________________________________                                    
% bound for control                                                       
                   % bound for modified                                   
nylon membrane     nylon membrane                                         
at different volumes                                                      
                   at different volumes                                   
25 ml      50 ml   150 ml  25 ml 50 ml  150 ml                            
______________________________________                                    
at pH 5.2                                                                 
       16.21   7.13    ˜0                                           
                             9.08  1.29   ˜0                        
at pH 7.2                                                                 
       17.18   7.64    3.82  12.10 5.73   ˜0                        
at pH 9.0                                                                 
       17.56   10.90   6.66  15.14 9.08   4.24                            
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 16 
     EFFECT OF pH ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     0.45 μ nylon membranes (double layer) were modified with the HPA/GMA (95/5) reactive polymer. 
     Test conditions: Concentration of IgG solution in acetate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 5.1: 107.5 μg/ml Concentration of IgG solution in phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 7.2: 125.0 μg/ml Concentration of IgG solution in borate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 9.0: 125.0 μg/ml Flow rate: 5 ml/min.; filtration area: 15.135 cm 2  ; 47 mm disk used. 
     
                       TABLE 15                                                    
______________________________________                                    
% bound for control                                                       
                   % bound for modified                                   
nylon membrane     nylon membrane                                         
at different volumes                                                      
                   at different volumes                                   
25 ml      50 ml   150 ml  25 ml 50 ml  150 ml                            
______________________________________                                    
at pH 5.1                                                                 
       58.60   31.63   20.93 20.47 12.56  8.84                            
at pH 7.2                                                                 
       34.00   21.20   8.80  14.00 0.40   ˜0                        
at pH 9.0                                                                 
       32.00   20.80   1.60  1.60  ˜0                               
                                          ˜0                        
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     FIG. 3 is a graph depicting similar tests. 
     EXAMPLE 17 
     EFFECT OF NATURE OF DIFFERENT PROTEINS ON BINDING 
     The nylon membranes (0.45 μ, double layer) were modified with the HPA/GMA (95/5) modifying polymer. Thyroglobulin molecular weight 660,000; P I  : 4.5 The concentration of Thyroglobulin II Porcine in acetate buffer at pH 3.3: 106.11 μg/ml The concentration of Thyroglobulin II Porcine in acetate buffer at pH 4.5: 100.43 μg/ml The concentration of Thyroglobulin II Porcine in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2: 115.20 μg/ml One pass of 75 ml of protein solution. 
     
                       TABLE 16                                                    
______________________________________                                    
         Amount of Protein                                                
                      Amount of Protein                                   
         Applied      Bound                                               
Sample   (μg)      (μg)      % bound                                
______________________________________                                    
control nylon                                                             
         7958.25      5025.75      63.15                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 3.3                                                                 
modified 7958.25      3322.50      41.75                                  
nylon                                                                     
membrane                                                                  
at pH 3.3                                                                 
control nylon                                                             
         7532.25      4429.50      58.81                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 4.5                                                                 
modified 7532.25      2194.50      29.13                                  
nylon                                                                     
membrane                                                                  
at pH 4.5                                                                 
control nylon                                                             
         8640.00      2640.75      30.56                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 7.2                                                                 
modified 8640.00      766.50       8.87                                   
nylon                                                                     
membrane                                                                  
at pH 7.2                                                                 
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 18 
     EFFECT OF NATURE OF DIFFERENT PROTEINS ON BINDING 
     The nylon membranes (0.45 μ, double layer) were modified with the HPA/GMA (95/5) modifying polymer. Cytochrome c molecular weight 12,384 p I  9.28 at 25 C The concentration of Cytochrome c in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2: 97.69 μg/ml The concentration of Cytochrome c in borate buffer at pH 9.2: 94.92 μg/ml The concentration of Cytochrome c in borate buffer at pH 10.5: 103.21 μg/ml 
     
                       TABLE 17                                                    
______________________________________                                    
          Amount of Protein                                               
                       Amount of Protein                                  
          Applied      Bound                                              
Sample    (μg)      (μg)      % bound                               
______________________________________                                    
Control nylon                                                             
          7326.75      311.25       4.25                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 7.2                                                                 
Modified nylon                                                            
          7326.75      311.25       4.25                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 7.2                                                                 
Control nylon                                                             
          7119.00      570.00       8.01                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 9.2                                                                 
Modified nylon                                                            
          7119.00      310.50       4.36                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 9.2                                                                 
Control nylon                                                             
          7740.75      725.25       9.37                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 10.5                                                                
Modified nylon                                                            
          7740.75      725.25       9.37                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 10.5                                                                
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 19 
     EFFECT OF NATURE OF DIFFERENT PROTEINS ON BINDING 
     The nylon membranes (0.45 μ, double layer) were modified with the HPA/GMA (95/5) modifying polymer. Albumin molecular weight 69,000 p I  4.90 The concentration of BSA in acetate buffer at pH 4.0: 81.34 μg/ml The concentration of BSA in acetate buffer at pH 5.2: 81.34 μg/ml The concentration of BSA in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2: 82.75 μg/ml one pass of 75 ml of protein solution. 
     
                       TABLE 18                                                    
______________________________________                                    
          Amount of Protein                                               
                       Amount of Protein                                  
          Applied      Bound                                              
Sample    (μg)      (μg)      % bound                               
______________________________________                                    
Control nylon                                                             
          6100.50      742.50       12.17                                 
membrane                                                                  
at pH 4.0                                                                 
Modified nylon                                                            
          6100.50      371.25       6.09                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 4.0                                                                 
Control nylon                                                             
          6100.50      477.00       7.82                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 5.2                                                                 
Modified nylon                                                            
          6100.50      0            0                                     
membrane                                                                  
at pH 5.2                                                                 
Control nylon                                                             
          6206.25      582.75       9.39                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 7.2                                                                 
Modified nylon                                                            
          6206.25      423.75       6.83                                  
membrane                                                                  
at pH 7.2                                                                 
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     EXAMPLE 20 
     EFFECT OF DIFFERENT GRAFTING METHODS ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     0.45 μ nylon membranes (double layer) were modified with HPA or HPA/GMA polymer by UV-photografting in DMF with benzophenone as photosensitizer. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. 
     (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; 15.135 cm 2  of filtration area; concentration of IgG solution in phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 7.2: 121.0 μg/ml) 
     
                                           TABLE 19                                
__________________________________________________________________________
            Volume of IgG                                                 
                    Conc. of IgG                                          
                           Conc. of IgG                                   
            Solution                                                      
                    in Effluent                                           
                           Bound                                          
Sample      (ml)    (μg/ml)                                            
                           (μg/ml)                                     
                                  % bound                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
Nylon membrane                                                            
            25      108.0  13.0   10.74                                   
modified with HPA                                                         
with HPA/GMA (95/5)                                                       
            25      110.0  11.0   9.09                                    
Nylon membrane                                                            
            50      111.0  10.0   8.26                                    
modified with HPA                                                         
with HPA/GMA (95/5)                                                       
            50      114.0  7.0    5.79                                    
Nylon membrane                                                            
            150     116.5  4.5    3.72                                    
modified with HPA                                                         
with HPA/GMA (95/5)                                                       
            150     121.0  ˜0                                       
                                  ˜0                                
__________________________________________________________________________
 
    
     EXAMPLE 21 
     EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FORMULATION ON PROTEIN BINDING 
     0.45 μ nylon membranes were modified with different formulations. The Dynamic Flow Test was used to test the membrane. (flow rate: 5 ml/min.; 47 mm disk; 15.135 cm 2  of filtration area, one pass of 75 ml of IgG solution in phosphate buffer with 0.1 M NaCl; 83 μg/ml IgG dissolved in 10 mM buffer at pH 7.2) 
     
                                           TABLE 20                                
__________________________________________________________________________
                Amt. of IgG                                               
                        Amt. of IgG                                       
                Applied Bound                                             
Sample          (μg) (μg) % bound                                   
__________________________________________________________________________
control nylon membrane                                                    
                6288.00 1259.25 20.03                                     
modified nylon membrane                                                   
with                                                                      
HEMA/MAA/GMA (79:20:1,                                                    
                6288.00 1165.50 18.54                                     
by weight)                                                                
HEMA/GMA (99:1, by                                                        
                6288.00 839.25  13.35                                     
weight)                                                                   
HEMA/GMA (0.1 M/0.05M)                                                    
                6288.00 1445.25 22.98                                     
HEMA/GMA (0.05 M/0.05M)                                                   
                6288.00 839.25  13.35                                     
HEMA-5/GMA (95:5, by                                                      
                6288.00 606.00  9.64                                      
weight)                                                                   
HPA/GMA/β- CEA (19:1:1,                                              
                7967.25 951.15  11.94                                     
by weight                                                                 
HPA/GMA/DEAE (19:1:1,                                                     
                7967.25 954.80  11.98                                     
by weight                                                                 
HPA/GMA (95:5, by weight,                                                 
                7687.50 799.00  10.39                                     
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as                                                 
solvent)                                                                  
HPA/GMA (95:5, by weight,                                                 
                7874.25 653.25  8.30                                      
DMF as solvent)                                                           
HEMA-10/GMA (95:5, by                                                     
                6941.25 792.69  11.42                                     
weight DMF as solvent)                                                    
Propylene glycol mono-                                                    
                6941.25 698.98  10.07                                     
acrylate/GMA(95:5, by wgt)                                                
EXAMPLE 21 (cont)                                                         
__________________________________________________________________________
 MAA -- methacrylic acid                                                  
 HEMA -- Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate                                        
 HEA -- 2  Hydroxyethyl Acrylate                                          
 GMA -- Glycidyl Methacrylate                                             
 HPA -- 3hydroxypropyl Acrylate                                           
 CEA -- carboxy ethyl acrylate                                            
 
    
     These results indicate that both HPA and HEMA are effective in reducing protein binding to nylon microporous membrane. 
     EXAMPLE 22 
     EFFECT OF MEMBRANE MODIFICATION ON MEMBRANE STABILITY 
     The chemical attack of the amide groups in nylon by oxidizin species produced in chlorinated water and oxygen radicals from ozon often destroys membrane stability. The protection provided by th grafted modifying polymer inhibits the rapid decay of the membran structure in the presence of oxidizing species. 
     Membrane strength was tested by injecting 10% fat emulsion o intra lipid from Kabi Vitrum until the membrane burst. The results are as follows: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Membrane                                                                  
Sample      Sample Condition                                              
                         Burst Pressure (Bar)                             
______________________________________                                    
(0.45 μ, nylon                                                         
membrane)                                                                 
Control     Dry          5.0                                              
Modified    Dry          7.5                                              
Control     Pre-wetted   6.0                                              
Modified    Pre-wetted   8.5                                              
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Conclusion 
     The glass transition temperature of nylon-6 (62.5° C.) or nylon-66 (45° C.) is higher than room temperature. Thus at room temperature, the nylon membrane exhibits brittleness. 
     The glass transition temperature of hydroxyalkyl acrylates, HPA (-7° C.) or HEA (-15° C.) is lower than room temperature. Thus at roo temperature, the hydroxyalkyl acrylate polymer will be more elastic. 
     Therefore, the grafting of the more elastic hydroxyalkyl acrylat polymer onto nylon membrane will impart to the nylon membran additional elastic strength at room temperature.