An anticoagulant is a substance that inhibits or delays blood clotting. Depending on the system, PRP tubes may contain citrate compounds, for example, to keep the blood fluid during processing.

Also known as: anticoagulant; anticoagulation agent

A swing-out rotor has movable tube carriers that swing outward during rotation and approach a horizontal position. This results in a different sample orientation from that of a fixed-angle rotor.

Also known as: swinging-bucket rotor; swing-bucket rotor; swing-out rotor

Autologous means that cells, tissues or other biological materials originate from the same person in whom they are subsequently used. PRP and PRF are obtained from the patient’s own blood and are therefore autologous blood-derived preparations.

Also known as: autologous; patient-derived; from the patient’s own body

A Notified Body is an independent conformity-assessment organisation designated by a Member State for specified tasks under European product legislation. For medical devices, it assesses conformity for defined device classes and procedures within the scope of its designation.

Also known as: Notified Body; NB

Biorevitalisation is a collective term used in aesthetic medicine for procedures and injectable products marketed with a focus on skin quality or skin condition. The term is not uniformly defined scientifically or as a regulatory product category.

Also known as: biorevitalization; biorevitalisation

Blood plasma is the liquid, cell-free portion of blood containing water, proteins, electrolytes and other dissolved substances. It is the liquid starting phase from which PRP fractions can be obtained by appropriate processing.

Also known as: plasma; blood plasma

Borosilicate glass is a type of glass containing a high proportion of silica and boron oxide and is comparatively resistant to many thermal and chemical influences. It is used, among other applications, for laboratory and blood-collection vessels.

Also known as: borosilicate; borosilicate glass

The braking profile describes how quickly a centrifuge rotor decelerates after a run. Depending on the model, centrifuges may provide different brake levels or deceleration ramps.

Also known as: brake setting; braking profile; deceleration profile

The buffy coat is the thin, pale cellular layer that may form after centrifugation of blood between the erythrocyte layer and the plasma. It contains mainly leukocytes and platelets.

Also known as: buffy coat; leukocyte-platelet interface

A butterfly needle is a blood-collection or infusion set with a short needle, flexible wings and attached tubing. The wings facilitate holding and fixation during venepuncture.

Also known as: butterfly; winged needle; winged needle set

For a medical device, the CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares that the device complies with the applicable requirements of relevant EU legislation. Depending on the risk class and conformity-assessment procedure, a Notified Body may be involved.

Also known as: CE; CE marking

Dermal fillers are injectable materials used to alter or support soft-tissue volume and contours. Many are based on hyaluronic acid, although other material classes also exist.

Also known as: filler; dermal filler; soft-tissue filler

A dermaroller is a hand-held rolling instrument whose roller is fitted with many short needles or microprojections. Rolling it across the skin creates repeated point contacts or microchannels.

Also known as: mesoroller; microneedling roller; derma roller

Electroporation is a technique in which short electrical pulses can temporarily alter the permeability of biological membranes. The term is used in medicine, research and cosmetics for technically different applications.

Also known as: electroporation

Erythrocytes are red blood cells whose principal function is the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide. After centrifugation of whole blood, their higher density typically results in a lower, cell-rich layer.

Also known as: red blood cells; RBCs; erythrocytes

The EU Declaration of Conformity is the manufacturer’s declaration that the identified medical device meets the applicable requirements of the MDR and, where relevant, other applicable EU legislation. It includes information such as device identification and risk class.

Also known as: EU Declaration of Conformity; Declaration of Conformity; DoC

Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicles formed through the endosomal pathway. Because the biogenetic origin of isolated vesicles often cannot be demonstrated directly, ISEV recommends using the broader term “extracellular vesicles” when origin has not been established.

Also known as: exosomes; extracellular vesicles — only conditionally synonymous

A fixed-angle rotor holds sample tubes at a constant angle relative to the axis of rotation during centrifugation. The tubes do not swing out into a horizontal position during the run.

Also known as: fixed-angle rotor; angle rotor

Fibrin is an insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen during blood coagulation. It polymerises into a fibrous network that contributes to stabilising a clot.

Also known as: fibrin

A fibrin matrix is the three-dimensional network of polymerised fibrin formed during coagulation and capable of entrapping cells and other blood components. In PRF, this matrix is a characteristic component of the resulting fraction.

Also known as: fibrin matrix; fibrin network

Fill volume is the quantity of sample or blood that a tube system is designed to receive. In vacuum tubes, the intended fill is influenced, among other factors, by the factory-set vacuum.

Also known as: fill volume; nominal fill volume

Gauge, abbreviated G, is a commonly used size designation for the outside diameter of needles and cannulas. In commonly used medical gauge systems, a higher gauge number generally corresponds to a smaller outside diameter.

Also known as: G; needle gauge; gauge size

Coagulation is the physiological process in which soluble and cellular blood components interact to form a stable clot. One step is the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin.

Also known as: blood coagulation; clotting; coagulation

Hyaluronidase refers to enzymes that can break down hyaluronic acid by cleaving its polysaccharide structure. Different hyaluronidase preparations and formulations are used in medicine and research.

Also known as: hyaluronidase; hyaluronoglucosaminidase

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide of the extracellular matrix with a high capacity to bind water. In medicine and cosmetics it is used in different molecular weights, concentrations and formulations.

Also known as: hyaluronic acid; hyaluronan; HA

The instructions for use of a medical device, commonly abbreviated IFU, are the information supplied by the manufacturer concerning the intended purpose, correct use and precautions to be observed.

Also known as: Instructions for Use; IFU; user instructions

An in-vitro diagnostic medical device (IVD) is a medical device intended by its manufacturer for the examination of specimens derived from the human body outside the body in order to provide specified diagnostic or other medically relevant information.

Also known as: IVD; in-vitro diagnostic medical device; in-vitro diagnostic

Run time is the specified duration for which a sample is processed under the defined centrifugation conditions. Together with RCF, rotor and other parameters it forms part of a centrifugation protocol.

Also known as: run time; centrifugation time; spin time

Leukocytes are white blood cells of the immune system and comprise several cell types with different functions. Depending on the preparation method, they may be present to different degrees in PRP or PRF fractions.

Also known as: white blood cells; WBCs; leukocytes

A batch number, often shown as LOT, is a manufacturer identifier used to assign products to a specific manufacturing batch. It supports product identification and traceability.

Also known as: LOT; lot number; batch number; batch

Luer Lock is a standardised connection system used with syringes, needles, cannulas and other medical components. The components are connected and then secured by a threaded locking action.

Also known as: Luer Lock; Luer-Lok; locking Luer connection

The MDR is Regulation (EU) 2017/745 on medical devices. It covers, among other matters, manufacturer obligations, risk classification, clinical evaluation, conformity assessment, labelling, market surveillance and traceability of medical devices in the EU.

Also known as: Medical Device Regulation; MDR; Regulation (EU) 2017/745

Under the MDR, a medical device is an instrument, apparatus, material, software or other article intended by the manufacturer for one or more specific medical purposes in humans, whose principal intended action is not achieved by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means.

Also known as: medical device

Class IIa is one of the medical-device risk classes under the MDR. Classification is performed using the rules in Annex VIII and takes account in particular of the intended purpose and associated risks.

Also known as: Class IIa; medical device Class IIa

Melatonin is an endogenous indoleamine hormone best known for its role in regulation of the circadian rhythm. It is also investigated in various tissues and in topical or dermatological research contexts.

Also known as: melatonin

Microneedling is a procedure in which the skin is repeatedly and superficially perforated with many very fine needles. Depending on the device, needle depth, speed and mode of operation may be adjustable or design-defined.

Also known as: microneedling; needling

A microcannula is a very thin cannula that is often offered in aesthetic medicine with a blunt or rounded tip. Products vary in outside diameter, length, tip geometry and connection type.

Also known as: microcannula; blunt cannula

Sodium citrate is a citrate salt that can be used as an anticoagulant in blood-collection systems. It binds available calcium and thereby temporarily inhibits calcium-dependent steps in coagulation.

Also known as: sodium citrate; citrate

A needling pen is a motorised device that repeatedly moves a cartridge containing multiple fine needles up and down. Needle depth, speed, cartridge design and additional functions differ by model.

Also known as: microneedling pen; derma pen; needling pen

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide and refers to mixtures of DNA fragments within defined molecular-weight ranges. In research and product marketing PDRN is sometimes discussed together with polynucleotides, but the terms are not automatically chemically or terminologically identical.

Also known as: polydeoxyribonucleotide; PDRN

Polynucleotides (PN) are chains made of many linked nucleotides. In aesthetic products, purified polynucleotide fractions are used in different formulations; composition, molecular size and regulatory product status can vary considerably by manufacturer.

Also known as: polynucleotides; PN

PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is an autologous blood concentrate typically prepared without an added anticoagulant and capable of forming a fibrin-rich matrix as coagulation proceeds. PRF should therefore not be equated with PRP in terms of process or material properties.

Also known as: Platelet-Rich Fibrin; platelet-rich fibrin; PRF

PRF preparation is the technical process used to obtain a fibrin-rich fraction from a patient’s own blood. Blood is typically collected without an added anticoagulant and centrifuged according to a defined PRF protocol.

Also known as: PRF preparation; PRF processing

PRF tubes are tubes that may be used in PRF preparation workflows and are typically configured without an added anticoagulant. Material, surface contact, dimensions and suitability must match the specific PRF protocol.

Also known as: PRF tube; PRF blood-collection tube

PRF variants are different protocols and product forms within the Platelet-Rich Fibrin family, for example i-PRF, A-PRF, A-PRF+, L-PRF and T-PRF. The terms differ in centrifugation conditions, materials and/or the consistency of the resulting product.

Also known as: i-PRF; A-PRF; A-PRF+; L-PRF; T-PRF

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is a plasma fraction prepared from a patient’s own blood in which the platelet concentration is higher than in the starting whole blood. Its exact composition can vary substantially depending on the preparation system, cellular content and protocol.

Also known as: Platelet-Rich Plasma; platelet-rich plasma; PRP

PRP preparation is the technical process used to obtain a platelet-enriched plasma fraction from a patient’s own blood. Depending on the system, the workflow includes blood collection, tube selection, anticoagulation, centrifugation and recovery of the intended fraction.

Also known as: PRP preparation; PRP processing

PRP tubes are blood-collection tubes that may be intended for defined PRP preparation workflows. Depending on the system, they differ in material, fill volume, anticoagulant, separation gel, sterility, regulatory status and permitted centrifugation parameters.

Also known as: PRP tube; PRP blood-collection tube

“PRP centrifuge” is a practical and market term for a centrifuge used in PRP preparation. The term alone does not establish whether a device is suitable for a particular tube system or protocol or whether it is regulated as a medical device.

Also known as: PRP centrifuge; centrifuge for PRP

RCF (Relative Centrifugal Force) describes the acceleration acting on a sample relative to gravitational acceleration and is expressed as × g. The value depends on rotational speed and the effective rotor radius.

Also known as: Relative Centrifugal Force; relative centrifugal acceleration; × g; RCF

The rotor is the rotating component of a centrifuge in which sample vessels are held directly or via buckets or adapters. Rotor design and geometry determine factors such as rotor radius, sample position and permitted operating parameters.

Also known as: centrifuge rotor; rotor

A rotor or tube adapter is an insert used to position sample tubes of specified dimensions securely in a rotor position. Adapters can also alter the actual tube position and therefore the effective rotor radius.

Also known as: centrifuge adapter; tube adapter; rotor adapter

Rotor radius is the distance from the axis of rotation to a defined point in the sample vessel. For RCF calculations, the maximum radius to the bottom of the tube in operating position is often used.

Also known as: rmax; effective rotor radius; rotor radius

RPM stands for revolutions per minute and describes how many rotations a rotor makes per minute. Rotational speed alone does not describe the relative centrifugal acceleration acting on a sample.

Also known as: revolutions per minute; RPM; rotational speed

Tube compatibility describes whether a tube can be used safely and in accordance with manufacturer instructions with a specific centrifuge, rotor and, where required, adapter. Relevant factors include diameter, length, fill condition, permitted RCF and secure seating in the rotor.

Also known as: tube compatibility; centrifuge compatibility

Traceability is the ability to link a product and relevant information through defined stages of the supply and use chain. For medical devices, identifiers such as UDI, batch data or serial information support this traceability.

Also known as: traceability

Skin booster is a market and umbrella term used in aesthetic medicine for injectable products promoted primarily in relation to skin quality and hydration. It is not a single regulatory product class and can encompass different compositions.

Also known as: skin booster; skinbooster

In medical-device and laboratory contexts, sterility describes a state in which a product is considered free from viable microorganisms. For products supplied sterile, this state is established through a validated manufacturing and sterilisation process.

Also known as: sterility; sterile

Platelets are small anucleate cell fragments in blood that play a key role in haemostasis and coagulation. In PRP, their concentration is deliberately increased relative to the starting whole blood.

Also known as: platelets; thrombocytes

Separation gel is a gel-like material used in certain blood-collection tubes that can move to a defined interface during centrifugation because of its physical properties. It can thereby create a physical barrier between blood fractions.

Also known as: separation gel; separator gel; thixotropic separation gel

UDI stands for Unique Device Identifier and refers to a system for unambiguous identification of medical devices. UDI comprises defined identification components applied at device and/or packaging levels according to MDR and IVDR requirements.

Also known as: Unique Device Identification; Unique Device Identifier; UDI

A vacuum tube is a blood-collection tube in which a defined negative pressure assists collection of an intended volume of blood. Depending on purpose, tubes may contain different additives, materials and fill volumes.

Also known as: vacuum tube; evacuated blood-collection tube

Growth factors are signalling proteins that can influence cellular functions such as growth, differentiation and communication. Platelets contain various such proteins in their granules, which may be released after activation.

Also known as: growth factors; signalling proteins

Centrifugation is a separation technique in which a sample is subjected to a defined centrifugal acceleration through rotation. Components can distribute differently according to density, size and other physical properties.

Also known as: centrifugation; centrifuging

A centrifugation protocol describes the defined conditions under which a sample is centrifuged. Depending on the method, these include target RCF or speed, run time, rotor type, radius, adapter, tube, fill volume and acceleration/deceleration conditions.

Also known as: centrifugation protocol; spin protocol

A centrifuge is a device that subjects samples to centrifugal acceleration through rotation. This allows components with different physical properties to be separated or enriched.

Also known as: laboratory centrifuge; benchtop centrifuge; centrifuge

The intended purpose of a medical device describes the use intended by the manufacturer. Under the MDR, it is determined in particular from manufacturer information on the label, instructions for use, promotional or sales materials and the clinical evaluation.

Also known as: intended purpose