Copolymer membrane for high-dose chemotherapy delivery during transarterial chemoembolization

1. A porous membrane comprising poly(styrenesulfonate)-block-polyethylene-block-poly(styrenesulfonate), the membrane having an average pore volume fraction of less than 40% and a sulfonation level of about 45%;

wherein the pores are lined by poly(styrenesulfonate) chains; and

wherein a doxorubicin binding capacity of the membrane is about 3 mmol doxorubicin per gram of dry weight of the membrane.

2. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the membrane ranges from 30 μm to 50 μm.

3. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein a 2 inch diameter sample of the membrane, when immersed in an aqueous solution containing 50 mg of doxorubicin at a concentration of 0.05 mg/mL at 37° C., is to absorb about 35% of the doxorubicin from the solution within 10 minutes of immersion.

4. The membrane of claim 1 , wherein the membrane is incorporated into a catheter.

5. A catheter comprising:

a tubular housing;

a frame disposed at a proximal end of the tubular housing, wherein the frame is expandable to switch between a collapsed state and a deployed state; and

a porous membrane affixed to the frame, the membrane comprising a poly(styrene sulfonate)-block-polyethylene-block-poly(styrenesulfonate), the membrane having an average pore volume fraction of less than 40% and a sulfonation level of about 45%;

wherein the pores are lined by poly(styrenesulfonate) chains; and

wherein a doxorubicin binding capacity of the membrane is about 3 mmol doxorubicin per gram of dry weight of the membrane.

6. The catheter of claim 5 , wherein the membrane is contained within the housing when the frame is in the collapsed state, and wherein the membrane is outside of the housing and extends radially from the proximal end when the frame is in the deployed state.

7. The catheter of claim 5 , wherein the frame comprises nitinol.