There has been a demand for hemodialysis membranes of better biocompatibili
ty, the use of which would reduce the incidence of complications in patient
s who have been under long hemodialysis treatment. We developed a surface m
odification technique consisting of forming efficiently a synthetic polymer
layer on the inside of the regenerated cellulose hollow fiber without impa
iring fiber performance. Our newly developed membrane has excellent biocomp
atibility by modifying the inner surface and by immobilizing vitamin E (alp
ha -tocopherol), which serves as an antioxidant, to the modified surface.