Platelet-Rich Plasma Extraction: New Gravity Method Improves Yield
Revolutionary Lab-on-a-Chip System Promises Safer, More Effective Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
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A groundbreaking microfluidic device, developed by researchers at the University of the Basque Country, is set to transform Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy by significantly reducing platelet activation and improving the purity of the extracted plasma. This innovative, low-cost system offers a portable and user-amiable solution with the potential to enhance patient outcomes and expand access to this regenerative treatment.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, a cornerstone of regenerative medicine, harnesses the power of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate healing and reduce inflammation. Traditionally, obtaining a pure and therapeutically effective PRP concentrate has been a challenge, frequently enough involving complex and time-consuming laboratory procedures.However, a new advancement from the University of the Basque country promises to overcome these limitations.
The newly developed system utilizes a sophisticated microfluidic design, a testament to over a decade of dedicated research into Lab-on-a-Chip technologies. These technologies concentrate and automate laboratory functions into compact, single devices, akin to having a miniature laboratory that fits in the palm of your hand. This specific device employs a passive separation method, leveraging the principle of sedimentation where denser components settle at the bottom of a container due to gravity. This routine method is highly effective for removing solids suspended in liquids.
A Leap Forward in PRP Purity and Efficacy
The system’s design, featuring laser-cut acrylic sheets and specialized adhesives, ensures a low manufacturing cost. Remarkably, it can extract approximately 300 microliters of PRP from just 1 milliliter of blood in a mere 40 minutes, minimizing handling and preserving the integrity of the blood components.
The results from this novel system are highly encouraging. Crucially, platelet activation was significantly reduced, dropping to a mere 8.2% compared to the 31% observed with traditional methods.This reduction in premature activation is vital for ensuring the therapeutic efficacy of PRP. Moreover, the mean platelet volume (MPV) was maintained, a critical factor in preserving the therapeutic benefits of PRP. The device also demonstrated extraordinary efficiency in removing unwanted blood cells, eliminating 98% of red blood cells and 96% of white blood cells. An additional significant advantage is the system’s adaptability; it can be adjusted to process varying quantities of blood while consistently maintaining its effectiveness.
Years of Research Culminate in a Transformative Device
This breakthrough is the culmination of extensive research by the team, focusing on Lab-on-a-Chip technologies. Their work has concentrated on automating complex laboratory functions into small, integrated devices. During their research, scientists observed that the plasma separated within their devices was especially rich in low-activated platelets. This key observation led to a redesign of the system specifically for therapeutic applications. The outcome is a disposable, portable, low-cost, and user-friendly device with immense potential for use in resource-limited clinical settings, personalized treatments, and even home healthcare.
The lead author of this significant work is Dr. Pablo Enrique Guevara-Pantoja, a post-PhD researcher within the Microfluidics Cluster EHU research group, supported by a prestigious Marie Curie COFUND grant. Dr. guevara-Pantoja possesses a strong international reputation in microfluidics and biomedical engineering, with numerous high-impact publications and several patents in diagnostics and bioengineering to his name.
Protecting Innovation for Market Integration
The innovative technology has been secured through a spanish patent. The research group is actively seeking clinical, industrial, or investment partnerships to facilitate the scaling up of the system and its triumphant integration into healthcare settings and the broader market. This collaborative approach is expected to accelerate the availability of this transformative PRP processing technology to patients worldwide.
Source: University of the Basque Country
Journal Reference: Guevara-Pantoja, P. E. et al. (2025). A microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood. Lab on a Chip*. doi.org/10.1039/d5lc00362h.