Platelet Rich Plasma & Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix
Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy or PRP® refers to a sample of autologous plasma with platelet concentrations greater than baseline values (13). This blood concentrate contains numerous cytokines and growth factors which can help to initiate and promote healing by stimulating stem cell migration, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix synthesis. While clinical studies show mixed results in terms of efficacy, PRP® treatments are being widely utilized today in the treatment of more than 30 diseases and degenerative conditions (2). There are numerous cell-based studies that have demonstrated the positive effects of PRP® preparations on many types of human connective tissue without an apparent increase in adverse events (13).
CytoVive® is proud to offer Tropocells and Cellenis industry leading family of FDA Approved Class 2 medical devices, Approved for the safe and rapid preparation of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) from a small sample of blood at the patient’s point of care. PRP kits are for single use only.
Advantages:
Leukocyte Neutral PRP
Naïve PRP
Naturally Activated PRP
Exogenously Activated PRP
High Concentration PRP
Physiological Concentration PRP
Platelet Poor Plasma
FDA Approved Device
Closed System Design
Simple 3 Step Protocol
5 Minute Single Spin Centrifugation
Proprietary Gel Separator Technology
Our industry leading PRP devices feature a proprietary thixotropic gel separator technology. This gel separator not only streamlines the entire protocol, it allows for the recovery of viable and intact platelets while eliminating a multitude of proinflammatory cytokines from the sample. This gel is 100% inert (does not interact with blood) and mobilizes to migrate up the wall of the tube during centrifugation, then resolidifies as the centrifuge concludes its 5 minute spin cycle. Upon re-solidification, this gel separator forms a physical barrier that:
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Eliminates 99.7% of Red Blood Cells
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Eliminates 85% of All Leukocytes
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Eliminates 96% of Neutrophils (Granulocytes)
Various Growth Factors Identified Within PRP® and
Their Respective Physiologic Effects
Biological Regeneration of Tissues - Latest Therapeutic Approach Using Platelet Rich Plasma [Internet]: Blood Research and Transfusion Journal; c2017 [cited 2017 10/9]. Available from: https://juniperpublishers.com/oabtj/pdf/OABTJ.MS.ID.555553.pdf.
PRP® Concentration - Tissue Specific Versatility
Platelet concentration is one of many factors that contribute to the regenerative potential of a PRP® sample. Tissue specific PRP protocols continue to expand with increasing research. Our system is specifically designed with this in mind to produce an autologous PRP® sample with a baseline platelet concentration of 1.6X. This proprietary protocol gives clinicians the freedom to manipulate PRP® concentration to their preference depending on the tissue specific application being performed (12). After centrifugation is performed, a predetermined amount of Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) can be aspirated from the PRP tube prior to homogenizing the platelet aggregate in order to achieve any PRP concentration that a clinician may choose to use.
Activated PRP (aka PRF or PRFM) vs. Naïve PRP
A physician may choose to treat specific indications with activated PRP® as opposed to PRP® in its resting state. When PRP® is "activated" there are two things that occur, the first is an immediate degranulation of the platelets which release growth factors from their α-granules. The other process that takes place following PRP® activation is fibrinogen cleavage which initiates a matrix-like clot to form within the activated PRP® sample (14). This clot can manifest itself as a gel-like a solidification within minutes of activation which may impact several clinical applications (5). For example, if an activated PRP® preparation is to be delivered through a syringe, then the injection must take place immediately following activation in order for the concentrate to pass through the injection needle before it solidifies.
Platelet activation achieves the goal of facilitating rapid growth factor release, but it is also important to consider that growth factors maintain short half-lives. If these growth factors do not bind to cellular receptors immediately following alpha-granule release then they may be degraded before they can be metabolized in ways that contribute to the regenerative process. A rapid activation of platelets may actually be associated with a decrease in the overall amount of growth factors available at the treatment site over time, however some indications have been shown to benefit from a less-sustained growth factor release (11).
Activated PRP® in its gel form allows for the blood concentrate to remain at the treatment site for an extended period of time (6). This PRP® gel can also be used as a suturable membrane in some surgical settings. Naive liquid PRP® on the other hand has the benefit of providing increased plasma dispersion, which can increase the target tissue area and may enhance clinical outcomes in other applications (7). Naive PRP® and activated PRP® have both been shown to promote significant healing across a wide spectrum of clinical settings. There is currently a lack of standardization in PRP® treatment application techniques and protocols so it is very important that clinicians continue to stay informed on the latest application techniques for the specific indications that they are treating in order to facilitate an optimal healing environment for each treatment site.
The FDA's Stance on Platelet Rich Plasma
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Per the FDA, PRP®'s intended use is in an operative setting to be mixed with bone graft materials in order to enhance bone graft handling and healing properties for orthopaedic and dental applications. PRP® use outside of this setting is considered to be "off label".
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It is important to note that the FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine. Clinicians are free to use a product off label as long as certain responsibilities are met:
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Clinicians using PRP® off label (office injections) as part of good medical practice and in the best interest of the patient have the responsibility to be well informed about the product, to base its use on firm scientific rationale and on sound medical evidence, and to keep records of its use; however, they do not require submission of an IND or IDE to the FDA or oversight from an institutional review board (IRB).
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The language in 21 CFR 1271 regarding the manipulation of cells has impacted the use of cultured stem cells, causing concern for some over activated PRP®. Clinicians using activated PRP® should be mindful of these concerns and continue to stay informed (13).