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Everything you need to know about PRP tubes: Application, production and benefits
PRP tubes are a key element in modern medicine, especially in regenerative therapy. But what exactly are PRP tubes, how do they work and why are they so important for the collection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)? In this detailed guide, you will learn everything you need to know about PRP tubes, how they are used and the benefits they offer for various medical and aesthetic treatments.
What are PRP tubes?
PRP tubes are used to isolate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from a patient's own blood. PRP is a highly concentrated component of blood that contains a variety of growth factors and is known for its regenerative properties. These tubes contain special materials, such as a thixotropic gel, which separates the different blood components during centrifugation. This ensures that the plasma remains separated from unwanted cells such as red blood cells and inflammatory white blood cells.
The PRP tubes thus enable the collection of highly pure, autologous plasma that can be used for therapeutic and aesthetic treatments. Thanks to this method, the body can be healed and regenerated naturally without the use of synthetic substances.
The manufacturing process of PRP
The production of PRP begins with the removal of a small amount of venous blood (around 10-15 ml) from the patient's arm. The blood is filled into the PRP tubes and then centrifuged in a special PRP centrifuge. During this process, the thixotropic gel separates the plasma from the cellular components, resulting in platelet-rich plasma.
After centrifugation, the plasma obtained contains a high concentration of blood platelets (thrombocytes), which release important growth factors after activation. These growth factors play a decisive role in cell regeneration, wound healing and tissue repair.
A major advantage of PRP treatment is that it is an autologous therapy, i.e. the blood comes directly from the patient. This reduces the risk of allergies, intolerances or other immune reactions to a minimum.
Application of PRP tubes in medicine
PRP tubes are used in many areas of medicine and aesthetic treatments. Some of the most well-known applications include:
- Orthopaedics: PRP is often used to treat joint problems, tendon and ligament injuries and to promote bone healing.
- Dermatology and aesthetic medicine: PRP is used to improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, treat acne scars and promote hair growth.
- Dentistry and oral surgery: PRP supports the healing of gum tissue and jawbone after surgical procedures.
- Wound treatment: PRP promotes the healing of chronic wounds and ulcers.
These versatile applications make PRP tubes an indispensable component in modern medicine.
Advantages of PRP compared to synthetic fillers
A decisive advantage of PRP over synthetic fillers is its complete biocompatibility. As PRP is obtained from the patient's own blood, there is no risk of allergic reactions or intolerances. In addition, PRP offers a natural and long-lasting effect as it stimulates the body's own healing processes and regenerates the tissue from the inside out.
In contrast to synthetic fillers, which often only provide temporary results, PRP promotes the formation of new blood vessels (neo-angiogenesis), collagen production and cell regeneration. This leads to a lasting improvement in the appearance of the skin and tissue structure.
The role of the anticoagulant in PRP tubes
Another important aspect in the production of PRP is the choice of the right anticoagulant. The anticoagulant used in the PRP tubes must prevent blood clotting, but at the same time avoid premature activation of the platelets.
" Sodium citrate
⠀
Most PRP tubes use sodium cit rate as an anticoagulant. Sodium citrate binds calcium in the blood, which is necessary for the activation of platelets and the formation of fibrin. This binding prevents the activation of platelets in the centrifuge, so that the growth factors are only released when the plasma is actually used. This ensures that the growth factors are fresh and fully functional when they are injected into the tissue.
⠀
" Heparin
⠀
Heparin is another anticoagulant that can be used for PRP production, but with certain limitations. Heparin works by stimulating the activity of antithrombin-3, which inhibits the formation of thrombin and prevents the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin. However, while it efficiently blocks blood clotting, heparin has no effect on platelet activation. This means that platelet activation begins during blood collection, which results in growth factors being released too early.
As the lifespan of the growth factors after platelet activation is only about two minutes, many growth factors are no longer functional at the time of injection into the tissue. This can reduce the effectiveness of PRP therapy, which is why heparin is generally less preferred.
Why sodium citrate is the better choice for PRP tubes
Due to these differences, sodium citrate is considered the preferred anticoagulant for PRP production worldwide. It allows control over the platelet activation process so that the growth factors are only activated when the PRP is actually introduced into the tissue. This maximizes the effect of the therapy and ensures optimal regenerative results.
The role of the separating gel in PRP tubes: Why it is essential for PRP production
The separating gel in PRP tubes plays a crucial role in the production of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). It ensures clean, efficient and complete separation of the various blood components during centrifugation. Without this special gel, it would be much more difficult to properly isolate the high-quality components of the blood - especially the plasma, which is rich in platelets and growth factors. This section explains in detail what the separating gel does and why it is essential for successful PRP therapy.
1. What is a separating gel?
The separation gel used in PRP tubes is a special thixotropic material that forms a physical barrier between the different layers of blood during centrifugation. The term "thixotropic" refers to the property of a gel to change its consistency when it is mechanically influenced (e.g. by centrifugal forces) and then return to its original state.
During centrifugation, the blood is separated into various components, including
- Plasma (the liquid, cell-free part of the blood)
- Platelets (thrombocytes)
- White blood cells (leukocytes)
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
Without a separating gel, these components would partially mix after centrifugation, which would impair the quality of the plasma obtained. The separating gel ensures that the highly concentrated plasma remains cleanly separated from the cellular components in order to create the best conditions for a PRP injection.
2. How does the separating gel work?
During centrifugation of the blood in the PRP tubes, the blood is broken down into its various components by the centrifugal forces. The heavier elements of the blood, such as the red blood cells, sink to the bottom, while the lighter components, such as the plasma, rise to the surface. The separating gel, which is located between these layers, changes its consistency and moves due to its thixotropic properties. It forms a dense barrier between the plasma components and the cellular components (mainly red and white blood cells).
This separation creates well-defined layers in the tube:
- Top: The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) used for the treatment.
- In the middle: The separating gel that separates the different layers.
- Below: The red blood cells and other cellular components that are undesirable for PRP therapy.
The separating gel prevents the red and white blood cells from entering the plasma and contaminating it. This is particularly important as these cellular components have no therapeutic effect and could even cause unwanted inflammatory reactions when injected into the tissue.
3. Advantages of the separating gel in PRP tubes
The separating gel offers numerous advantages that are decisive for successful PRP therapy:
a) Clean separation of blood components
The separating gel ensures efficient separation of the different blood components. This clean separation is crucial to obtain high purity plasma that is rich in platelets and growth factors, but free of unwanted cells such as red blood cells. This clear separation is not only important for the effectiveness of PRP therapy, but also for the safety of the treatment, as contaminated plasma can cause unwanted side effects.
b) Higher concentration of platelets
The use of separating gel removes unnecessary components from the collected plasma, resulting in a higher concentration of platelets. These platelets are key to the regenerative effect of PRP, as they release growth factors upon activation that promote tissue repair, collagen formation and cell regeneration.
Without separating gel, platelets may mix with other cells, reducing the concentration of platelets in the collected plasma and reducing the effectiveness of PRP therapy.
c) Maximum purity of the plasma
Another advantage of the separating gel is the maximum purity of the plasma obtained. As the separating gel creates an impenetrable barrier between the cellular components and the plasma, it ensures that the PRP remains free of red blood cells and other undesirable substances. This is particularly important to prevent inflammatory reactions or side effects that could be caused by contamination of the plasma.
d) Stability during centrifugation
The separating gel remains stable throughout centrifugation and ensures that the separation of blood components is uniform and consistent. This means that the quality of the PRP is reproducible with every centrifugation. Without a separating gel, the blood components could easily become mixed up during centrifugation, which would lead to unreliable results.
What is the difference between laboratory tubes and PRP tubes?
A common point of confusion with PRP therapy is the difference between laboratory tubes and PRP tubes. Although both tubes are used to draw blood, there are key differences in both their use and quality requirements. Choosing the right tube is crucial for the safety and effectiveness of PRP therapy. Let's look at the differences in detail.
Purpose and application
Laboratory tubes are specially developed for blood analysis in the laboratory. They are used to take blood samples for various tests in order to examine the composition of the blood. These tubes are not intended for the subsequent return of the blood to the patient's body. The collected blood is usually disposed of after analysis.
PRP tubes, on the other hand, are specially developed for the production and therapeutic use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The blood collected in PRP tubes is re-injected into the patient's body after processing in order to promote regenerative processes. PRP tubes must therefore meet strict requirements in terms of purity, sterility and the quality of the materials used.
Why you should definitely not use laboratory tubes for PRP therapies
The use of laboratory tubes instead of PRP tubes for the collection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can have significant risks and disadvantages. Although laboratory tubes are commonly used for laboratory blood tests, they are not suitable for PRP production and application. Here are the main reasons why you should definitely not use laboratory tubes for PRP therapies:
1. Incorrect anticoagulants
Laboratory tubes often contain unsuitable anticoagulants, such as EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), which prevents blood clotting but can impair the quality and effectiveness of the PRP obtained:
EDTA binds calcium, which prevents clotting, but also interferes with platelet activation. However, this activation is crucial in order to release the growth factors that are responsible for the regenerative properties of PRP.
PRP tubes, on the other hand, contain the correct anticoagulant, typically sodium citrate, which prevents blood clotting without activating the platelets too early. This ensures that the growth factors are only released at the time of injection, maximizing the effectiveness of PRP therapy.
2. Lack of sterility
Laboratory tubes are not intended for returning blood to the patient's body. They therefore do not meet the strict sterility requirements necessary for medical treatments. Possible consequences of using unsterilized tubes include
- Risk of infection: as laboratory tubes do not undergo medical sterilization, there is an increased risk of introducing germs or bacteria into the patient's body. This can lead to infections or other health complications.
- Lack of certification: Laboratory tubes are not certified for clinical use or for in vivo treatments (i.e. treatments in which the blood is re-injected into the body). The use of such tubes for PRP therapies violates medical standards and carries considerable risks.
PRP tubes, on the other hand, are specially developed for clinical use and meet all the necessary hygiene and sterilization standards. They are generally CE-certified and validated to ensure safe treatment.
3. Lack of quality control
Laboratory tubes are primarily produced for the analysis of blood samples, which are disposed of after testing. There are no special requirements for the quality or purity of the materials used, as the blood is not re-injected into the body. This brings with it several problems:
- Lower material quality: as laboratory tubes do not have to meet strict requirements regarding the purity of the materials used, they can potentially contain harmful substances or contaminants that could be harmful during PRP therapy.
- Unsuitable composition: Laboratory tubes are not designed for centrifugation and the generation of PRP. Their composition is not optimized to effectively isolate the platelets and obtain the plasma in a therapeutically effective form.
PRP tubes, on the other hand, are manufactured under strict quality control and are validated for medical use. They are specifically designed to isolate platelets and obtain platelet-rich plasma suitable for injection into the body.
4. Ineffective therapy results
The use of laboratory tubes in PRP therapy can lead to ineffective results, as the quality of the PRP obtained is severely limited. The possible consequences include
- Reduced efficacy: the PRP obtained from laboratory tubes may not contain the correct concentration of platelets and growth factors, which greatly reduces the healing and regenerative properties of the plasma.
- Short lifespan of growth factors: When heparin or other inappropriate anticoagulants are used, the platelets are activated too early, causing the growth factors to become inactive before they are injected. As a result, the PRP injection has no significant regenerative effects.
PRP tubes, on the other hand, can be used to create the optimum conditions for the production of PRP. They contain the right anticoagulants and separating gels to ensure that the plasma obtained contains highly concentrated and active platelets, ready for injection to promote healing processes.
5. Medical responsibility
The use of laboratory tubes for PRP therapies can even have legal and ethical consequences. Physicians are responsible for ensuring that each treatment is performed according to the highest medical standards. Using laboratory tubes that are not certified for in vivo applications can jeopardize patient confidence and lead to legal consequences if complications arise.
The use of laboratory tubes for PRP therapies carries significant risks and can lead to ineffective or even dangerous treatment outcomes. Laboratory tubes are not suitable for the preparation of platelet-rich plasma as they contain unsuitable anticoagulants, lack separating gel, are not sterile enough and do not meet the strict quality standards required for medical applications.
PRP tubes, on the other hand, are specially developed for the production of PRP and ensure a safe, sterile and effective treatment. They ensure that the plasma obtained contains the highest quality of platelets and growth factors, which is crucial for the success of PRP therapy.
Sterilization methods and certifications for PRP tubes
Sterility is an important aspect of PRP tubes. As the blood plasma is injected back into the patient's body after centrifugation, PRP tubes must be subject to strict sterilization control to minimize the risk of infection.
Sterilization methods: PRP tubes are usually sterilized with gamma radiation or ethylene oxide to ensure that they are completely free of germs.
Certifications: PRP tubes should usually have CE certification, which confirms that they comply with European medical device standards. In the USA, PRP tubes often need to be FDA approved. These certifications guarantee that the tubes are safe to use for blood collection and subsequent return of the plasma to the body.
Why this is important:
The sterility of PRP tubes is crucial for patient safety. Contaminated or non-sterile tubes could increase the risk of infection or inflammation, which not only reduces the effectiveness of PRP therapy, but can also put the patient's health at risk.
PRP tubes as an indispensable tool in modern medicine
PRP tubes enable the production of high-purity, platelet-rich plasma, which is used in a variety of medical and aesthetic applications. The method is safe, effective and based on materials sourced directly from the patient, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions.
Whether in orthopaedics, dermatology or aesthetic surgery, PRP offers a natural and long-lasting solution to numerous health and beauty problems. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of PRP therapy, talk to your doctor and explore how this innovative treatment can help you.
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