Porous nylon fabric is used as a filter in blood devices. This study was undertaken to evaluate the interaction between an experimental nylon filter and the cellular elements which pass through it. Our investigation was mainly centered on determining the deposition of cellular material on the nylon filter using Low Voltage Scanning Electron Microscopy (LVSEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

The filter was prepared for LVSEM by cutting a 2.5 cm2 of the nylon filter material with a razor and placing it in a nylon mesh bag which was stapled shut. The bag was rinsed three times for ten minutes each in fresh Sorensen's phosphate buffer. A graded alcohol series of 25%, 35%, 50%, 70%, 80%, and 90% was used to dehydrate the filter for ten minutes each. This was followed by dehydration twice for 20 minutes in fresh 100% ETOH. The filter was then Critical Point Dried (CPD) in the Tousimis AUTOSAMDRI-814.