making own PRP

[bedrock]

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Can those who make their own PRP (don't use a kit), please share how you do it? Both the supplies and the steps?

I'm now doing at least 5 PRP cases per month, and at a kit cost of $250, I figure I could save $1000 each month if I could have my staff make the PRP without a kit?

One thing I am definitely curious about, is if you can achieve a similar platelet concentration? For years I've used accelerated biologics with really solid results.
I'd love to save money by making the PRP without a kit, but not if it significantly affects patient outcomes.

 

[TIVAndy]

Put blood in a 2 tubes. Have MA grab them on left hand and right hand. Have them turn 1500 times per minute for 5 minutes. PRP is ready.

Jokes aside who makes them by themselves?

 

[bedrock]

calling @drusso

 

[runfastnow]

Draw 60 cc whole blood
Transfer to 8 ACD-A anticoag tubes
Spin 1500 rpm x 12 minutes (do not go >2000 RPM)
Remove top plasma/platelet layer + discard blood. Do not let blood mix. Transfer removed plasma/platelets to sterile plain tubes.
Spin 3000 rpm x 15 minues
Discard top ~70% of plasma. Mix/agitate remaining plasma + platelet plug.
Total should be ~8cc.

Depending on how fast you/staff can draw blood and do the transfers it sucks up about 20-30 min of staff time. Can obviously do other stuff while centrifuge spins.

 

[lobelsteve]

Draw 60 cc whole blood
Transfer to 8 ACD-A anticoag tubes
Spin 1500 rpm x 12 minutes (do not go >2000 RPM)
Remove top plasma/platelet layer + discard blood. Do not let blood mix. Transfer removed plasma/platelets to sterile plain tubes.
Spin 3000 rpm x 15 minues
Discard top ~70% of plasma. Mix/agitate remaining plasma + platelet plug.
Total should be ~8cc.

Depending on how fast you/staff can draw blood and do the transfers it sucks up about 20-30 min of staff time. Can obviously do other stuff while centrifuge spins.

Is that a yellow yop tube, Because similar to what my lab does but same speed spin x 10 min with draw off after spin 1.

 

[runfastnow]

Yeah - yellow top tube. Best evidence for highest platelet count in PRP.
EDTA supposedly better for growth factors. Clinical outcomes all about the same.

 

[powermd]

Draw 60 cc whole blood
Transfer to 8 ACD-A anticoag tubes
Spin 1500 rpm x 12 minutes (do not go >2000 RPM)
Remove top plasma/platelet layer + discard blood. Do not let blood mix. Transfer removed plasma/platelets to sterile plain tubes.
Spin 3000 rpm x 15 minues
Discard top ~70% of plasma. Mix/agitate remaining plasma + platelet plug.
Total should be ~8cc.

Depending on how fast you/staff can draw blood and do the transfers it sucks up about 20-30 min of staff time. Can obviously do other stuff while centrifuge spins.

How are you removing the top plasma/platelet layer with no red cells? Stick a needle in there and slurp it off?

 

[runfastnow]

How are you removing the top plasma/platelet layer with no red cells? Stick a needle in there and slurp it off?

Exactly. Multi tube holder a la bench science to hold your tubes.
18 gauge 3.5" into the tube. Draw off as much as you can without disturbing the RBC layer.
Takes a few times to get the feel. Advise holding back pressure on plunger entire time or the vacuum in tube can make things messy.

 

[DrSpine]

I collect the blood and then manually shake for 60 seconds vigorously.

 

[olafa]

are you using a cell counter to check concentration?

 

[drusso]

are you using a cell counter to check concentration?

You should. Dose matters.

 

[powermd]

You should. Dose matters.

Suggestions on reasonably priced cell counters?

 

[sbp111]

Draw 60 cc whole blood
Transfer to 8 ACD-A anticoag tubes
Spin 1500 rpm x 12 minutes (do not go >2000 RPM)
Remove top plasma/platelet layer + discard blood. Do not let blood mix. Transfer removed plasma/platelets to sterile plain tubes.
Spin 3000 rpm x 15 minues
Discard top ~70% of plasma. Mix/agitate remaining plasma + platelet plug.
Total should be ~8cc.

Depending on how fast you/staff can draw blood and do the transfers it sucks up about 20-30 min of staff time. Can obviously do other stuff while centrifuge spins.

Are you using BD brand yellow top tubes or a tube specifically designed for PRP? Some things I am coming across are saying not to use BD as they are only designed for lab results and not reintroduction into patient and that they may contain endotoxins?

 

[lobelsteve]

Are you using BD brand yellow top tubes or a tube specifically designed for PRP? Some things I am coming across are saying not to use BD as they are only designed for lab results and not reintroduction into patient and that they may contain endotoxins?

And what PRP company do you work for?

 

[sbp111]

And what PRP company do you work for?

I don’t, I’m a pain doc trying to see if I can avoid using expensive kits. I’ve been researching protocols to use vacutainers but have some seen posted mainly on prp company sites like you mentioned describing risks

 

[lobelsteve]

Yellow tops ok.

 

[SpineandWine]

LP-PRP MANUAL EXTRACTION PROTOCOL (DOUBLE-SPIN METHOD)


1. REQUIRED SUPPLIES
- ACD-A anticoagulant tubes
- Tabletop centrifuge (adjustable g-force)
- Sterile transfer pipettes
- 10 mL syringe + 22G needle
- Standard sterile field materials


2. STEP 1 — BLOOD DRAW
- Draw 15–20 mL whole blood into ACD-A tubes.
- Gently invert 5–8× to mix anticoagulant.


3. STEP 2 — FIRST SPIN (SOFT SPIN)
Goal: Separate RBCs without disturbing platelets or WBCs.
- 100–300 g for 5–10 minutes
- Brake OFF
Layering after soft spin:
- Top: Platelet-rich plasma (mostly LP)
- Middle: Buffy coat (WBC layer)
- Bottom: RBCs


4. STEP 3 — PLASMA COLLECTION (CRITICAL FOR LP-PRP)


- Aspirate ONLY the top 2/3 of the plasma layer.
- DO NOT disturb or aspirate the buffy coat.
- Transfer to sterile tube.


5. STEP 4 — SECOND SPIN (HARD SPIN)Goal: Pellet the platelets.


- 400–700 g for 10–17 minutes
- Brake OFF


6. STEP 5 — FINAL LP-PRP PREPARATION


- Discard PPP until 3–5 mL remains.
- Resuspend platelet pellet completely.
- Final product = LP-PRP.


7. QUALITY INDICATORS


- Clear/yellow plasma = LP-PRP.
- Cloudy plasma = leukocyte contamination (LR-PRP).
RECOMMENDED COST-EFFECTIVE SUPPLIES
- BD Vacutainer ACD-A tubes (8.5 mL)
- Eppendorf 5702R centrifuge or LW Scientific C5
- Sterile transfer pipettes
- Standard syringes and needles


LAYER SEPARATION DIAGRAM (ASCII VISUAL)
LP-PRP (ASPIRATE THIS)


------------------------------------


Buffy Coat (DO NOT ASPIRATE)


------------------------------------


RBC Layer


------------------------------------

 

[BobBarker]

I got the Arthrex Angel system. We don’t have time to mess with all of this work with the double spin. So much opportunity for human error.

 

[RoloTomassi]

LP-PRP MANUAL EXTRACTION PROTOCOL (DOUBLE-SPIN METHOD)


1. REQUIRED SUPPLIES
- ACD-A anticoagulant tubes
- Tabletop centrifuge (adjustable g-force)
- Sterile transfer pipettes
- 10 mL syringe + 22G needle
- Standard sterile field materials


2. STEP 1 — BLOOD DRAW
- Draw 15–20 mL whole blood into ACD-A tubes.
- Gently invert 5–8× to mix anticoagulant.


3. STEP 2 — FIRST SPIN (SOFT SPIN)
Goal: Separate RBCs without disturbing platelets or WBCs.
- 100–300 g for 5–10 minutes
- Brake OFF
Layering after soft spin:
- Top: Platelet-rich plasma (mostly LP)
- Middle: Buffy coat (WBC layer)
- Bottom: RBCs


4. STEP 3 — PLASMA COLLECTION (CRITICAL FOR LP-PRP)


- Aspirate ONLY the top 2/3 of the plasma layer.
- DO NOT disturb or aspirate the buffy coat.
- Transfer to sterile tube.


5. STEP 4 — SECOND SPIN (HARD SPIN)Goal: Pellet the platelets.


- 400–700 g for 10–17 minutes
- Brake OFF


6. STEP 5 — FINAL LP-PRP PREPARATION


- Discard PPP until 3–5 mL remains.
- Resuspend platelet pellet completely.
- Final product = LP-PRP.


7. QUALITY INDICATORS


- Clear/yellow plasma = LP-PRP.
- Cloudy plasma = leukocyte contamination (LR-PRP).
RECOMMENDED COST-EFFECTIVE SUPPLIES
- BD Vacutainer ACD-A tubes (8.5 mL)
- Eppendorf 5702R centrifuge or LW Scientific C5
- Sterile transfer pipettes
- Standard syringes and needles


LAYER SEPARATION DIAGRAM (ASCII VISUAL)
LP-PRP (ASPIRATE THIS)


------------------------------------


Buffy Coat (DO NOT ASPIRATE)


------------------------------------


RBC Layer


------------------------------------

That's a pretty low volume blood draw. Even if your platelet % yield is high, which you are already sacrificing by completely avoiding the buffy coat, there's not going to be a ton in only 15 mL whole blood