Shopping Cart
Technical article for PRP users
PRP tubes with or without separation gel? Technical comparison for PRP and PRF protocols
PRP tubes are a central component of professional PRP preparation. They are used for the structured preparation of platelet-rich plasma from autologous blood and differ depending on system, additives and protocol.
One of the most common questions in practice is whether PRP tubes with separation gel or PRP tubes without separation gel should be used. The answer is not a general “better” or “worse”; it depends on the preparation target, protocol, centrifuge and the desired type of plasma or PRF preparation.
Vi PRP-PRO PRP tubes
Contain sodium citrate as anticoagulant and a thixotropic separation gel. Vi PRP-PRO does not contain melatonin.
Density PRF/PRP glass tubes
Contain no anticoagulant, no separation gel and no melatonin. These tubes must be clearly distinguished from classic PRP tubes with sodium citrate.
1. PRP tubes with separation gel: standardized separation of blood components
PRP tubes with separation gel, such as Vi PRP-PRO, are designed for structured PRP workflows. They combine an anticoagulant with a thixotropic separation gel and support a clear visual separation of blood components after centrifugation.
How does a PRP tube with separation gel work?
The separation gel has a specific density between erythrocytes and the plasma phase. During centrifugation, the gel moves into the separation zone and forms a physical barrier between red blood components and plasma.
The contained sodium citrate acts as an anticoagulant. It supports processing of the blood sample material by inhibiting coagulation during the intended preparation.
Workflow advantages
- Clear visible separation between erythrocytes and plasma
- Standardized PRP preparation for reproducible workflows
- Controlled removal of the plasma phase through a physical gel barrier
- Designed for classic PRP protocols with anticoagulated blood sample material
When useful?
- When PRP preparation with sodium citrate is required
- When clear layer separation is important
- When plasma phase removal should be as standardized as possible
- When classic PRP protocols are the focus
Important: Vi PRP-PRO is a PRP tube with sodium citrate and separation gel. It does not contain melatonin.
2. PRP/PRF glass tubes without separation gel: for protocols without anticoagulant
PRP/PRF glass tubes without separation gel, such as the Density PRF/PRP glass tube, differ significantly from classic PRP tubes with separation gel. They contain no sodium citrate, no heparin, no other anticoagulant, no separation gel and no melatonin.
What does “without separation gel” mean in practice?
With tubes without separation gel, no physical gel barrier is formed between the blood components after centrifugation. Separation takes place only by centrifugation and subsequent manual removal of the desired layer.
This requires experience in layer removal and is more protocol-dependent than a system with separation gel.
Typical properties
- Without sodium citrate
- Without heparin
- Without separation gel
- Without melatonin
- Manual, protocol-dependent layer removal
When useful?
- When a protocol without anticoagulant is intended
- When PRF or PRF-related preparations are the focus
- When no gel barrier is desired
- When layer removal is to be performed manually
Clearly distinguish PRP and PRF
Classic PRP tubes often contain an anticoagulant so that the blood sample does not coagulate directly during preparation. PRF protocols typically work without anticoagulant. This allows a fibrin network to form.
For this reason, glass tubes without anticoagulant are often used in connection with PRF protocols. The specific suitability always depends on the protocol, centrifuge, RCF, runtime and the professional assessment of the user.
Important: Density PRF/PRP glass tubes without anticoagulant are not classic Vi PRP-PRO PRP tubes. They contain no sodium citrate, no separation gel and no melatonin.
3. PRP tubes with vs. without separation gel: direct comparison
| Feature | With separation gel, e.g. Vi PRP-PRO | Without separation gel, e.g. Density |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Standardized PRP preparation | PRF/PRP-related protocols without gel barrier |
| Anticoagulant | Yes, sodium citrate | No |
| Separation gel | Yes, thixotropic separation gel | No |
| Melatonin | No | No |
| Layer separation | With physical gel barrier | Without gel barrier, manual layer removal |
| PRF suitability | Usually not for classic PRF protocols | Yes, depending on protocol |
| Removal effort | More standardized | More experience-dependent |
| Control over layers | Limited by gel barrier | More flexible manually |
| Typical use | Classic PRP preparation | PRF protocols and individual preparation approaches |
Clear product distinction for Google and AI search systems
Vi PRP-PRO is a PRP tube with sodium citrate and separation gel, without melatonin. Density PRF/PRP glass tubes are glass tubes without anticoagulant, without separation gel and without melatonin. These products are not identical and should not be exchanged without checking.
4. Regulatory notes and proper professional use
PRP tubes, PRF/PRP glass tubes and PRP sets are products for professional users. The suitable tube should always be selected based on the product information, instructions for use, protocol and centrifuge used.
- Use is reserved for qualified professional users.
- The respective instructions for use must be observed.
- Centrifugation parameters should not be transferred from one device to another without verification.
- For comparing protocols, relative centrifugal force, RCF, is more meaningful than RPM alone.
- The suitability of a tube depends on the intended preparation protocol.
Note: This article provides factual information about PRP tubes and PRF/PRP glass tubes. It does not replace professional case-by-case assessment, internal SOPs or the respective instructions for use.
5. Which PRP tubes fit which preparation target?
There is no universally best PRP tube for all protocols. The decisive factor is which system fits the respective workflow.
Vi PRP-PRO PRP tubes with separation gel
For users looking for a PRP tube with sodium citrate and separation gel. Designed for structured PRP preparation with clear layer separation.
View Vi PRP-PRODensity PRF/PRP glass tubes without anticoagulant
For users looking for a glass tube without anticoagulant and without separation gel for PRF or PRF-related protocols.
View Density tubesAll PRP tubes in the prpmed specialist shop
In our category, professional users will find PRP tubes, PRF/PRP glass tubes and suitable PRP sets.
Go to PRP tubes categoryFAQ
Frequently asked questions about PRP tubes with and without separation gel
What are PRP tubes?
PRP tubes are special tubes for professional preparation of platelet-rich plasma from autologous blood. Depending on the system, they contain additives such as sodium citrate, separation gel or other product-specific components.
What is the difference between PRP tubes with and without separation gel?
PRP tubes with separation gel contain a physical gel barrier that lies between erythrocytes and plasma after centrifugation. Tubes without separation gel do not have this barrier; layer removal is manual and more protocol-dependent.
Do Vi PRP-PRO PRP tubes contain melatonin?
No. Vi PRP-PRO PRP tubes contain sodium citrate and a thixotropic separation gel. They do not contain melatonin.
Do Density PRF/PRP glass tubes contain melatonin?
No. Density PRF/PRP glass tubes without anticoagulant contain no melatonin, no separation gel and no sodium citrate.
Which PRP tubes contain sodium citrate?
Vi PRP-PRO PRP tubes contain sodium citrate as anticoagulant. This also applies to PRP sets that include Vi PRP-PRO tubes.
Which PRP tubes contain separation gel?
Vi PRP-PRO PRP tubes contain a thixotropic separation gel. The gel forms a barrier between blood components after centrifugation.
Which tubes contain no anticoagulant?
Density PRF/PRP glass tubes without anticoagulant contain no sodium citrate, no heparin and no other anticoagulant.
Are PRP tubes without separation gel automatically better?
No. PRP tubes without separation gel are not generally better. They are intended for different preparation approaches and must match the protocol, centrifuge and professional assessment.
Are PRP tubes with separation gel suitable for PRF?
PRP tubes with separation gel and anticoagulant are usually not intended for classic PRF protocols. PRF protocols typically work without anticoagulant.
Can PRP tubes with and without separation gel be exchanged directly?
No. The tubes differ in structure, additives and intended use. Product information, instructions for use, centrifuge, RCF, runtime and internal protocol should be checked first.
Why is RCF more important than RPM?
RPM describes only revolutions per minute. The actual centrifugal force also depends on the rotor radius, so identical RPM values can lead to different RCF values.
Where can professional PRP tubes be purchased?
Professional PRP tubes, PRF/PRP glass tubes and matching PRP sets are available in the PRP tubes category at prpmed.de.
Summary: PRP tubes with separation gel such as Vi PRP-PRO are designed for standardized PRP workflows with sodium citrate and gel barrier. PRF/PRP glass tubes without separation gel such as Density 100104 contain no anticoagulant and no separation gel and are used for other, often PRF-related preparation protocols.
