Since its conception nearly 20 years ago, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment has sparked widespread intrigue across both the European and American pharmaceutical fields. PRP is a rather experimental approach toward accelerated healing procedures and has steadily garnered enough attention from clinicians to be implemented in laboratory settings spanning both human and animal applications. Since PRP treatment is still widely considered to be in its infancy, the research behind its effectiveness is unfortunately scarce.
That said, there are multiple testimonials floating around, supporting the discipline’s reliability- the most coveted coming from various sources in professional sports who have exhibited continued use and dependence on the procedure’s rapid recovery potential. Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal– two highly regarded athletes in their respective sport- have both openly admitted pursuance of PRP therapy for competitive purposes. The documented success of PRP treatment extends to the equine world of medicine as well, where there have been a number of stories surfacing about the noticeable healing effects it had on ailing horses.
The PRP method centers around harnessing the innate regenerative properties of platelets. This type of blood cell is popularly known for its ability to form clots, setting a sound foundation for its healing potential. What a lot of people probably don’t remember from school, however, is the actual composition of the cell which includes hundreds of vital proteins, aptly named, “growth factors.” These proteins are integral for initiating cellular regeneration and the natural healing activity that takes place behind the scenes, on a microscopic level.
By now, you’ve probably pieced together that PRP is simply a blood sample with a higher (or richer) concentration of growth protein-packed platelets. To increase the concentration of platelets, a sample of blood must first be withdrawn from the patient which classifies PRP as an autologous procedure. As opposed to a homologous approach- which would involve a donor sample- autologous procedures are considered to be more natural since the specimen originated from the patient.
Once it’s acquired, the sample is then placed in a test tube and spun in a centrifuge. The device is designed to achieve speeds high enough to generate centrifugal force- the powerful phenomenon needed for fully separating targeted platelets from the other blood cell types sharing the plasma. What’s produced is a sample of blood that is saturated with a higher platelet count- usually 5 to 10 times greater than that found in unspun specimens. The platelet-rich plasma is finally re-inserted back into the patient at the location of the afflicted area.
To keep up with the steadily increasing demand for centrifuges expressed by pharmaceutical and veterinary industries, Koehler Instrument Company is rolling out a new line of devices specialized to facilitate PRP treatment and similar applications. With a vibrant, easy-to-operate LCD display, the PrO-PRP centrifuge line perfectly combines convenience and reliability when it comes to demanding laboratory standards. With each variation of the PrO-PRP comes plenty of customization options- making it possible to adjust sample sizes and speeds- to perfectly match any kind of lab application.