PRP Kit Selection Guide for Clinics: What Should You Look For?

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is used in dermatology, orthopedics, hair transplantation and medical aesthetics. This article is not clinical guidance; it is a procurement guide to the information you should request from the manufacturer when buying a PRP kit.

What is in a PRP kit?

PRP is platelet-rich plasma obtained from the patient's own blood by centrifugation. A kit contains the blood collection tube, the anticoagulant and, in most products, a separator gel that separates platelets from red cells. For example, the tubes described in Regen Lab's FDA 510(k) summary are evacuated glass tubes containing a thixotropic separator gel with a sodium citrate anticoagulant above the gel; up to 10 mL of blood is collected per tube, and the centrifuge settings are given in the instructions for use.

How the literature classifies platelet concentrates

Platelet concentrates are divided into four families by leukocyte and fibrin content: P-PRP (pure PRP), L-PRP (leukocyte-rich PRP), P-PRF and L-PRF. The paper proposing this classification stresses that each preparation method yields a different product and that efficacy remains debated. The PAW classification used in orthopedics is based on platelet count, activation method and the presence of white cells; the same paper notes that preparation protocols vary widely between authors.

Which type to use for which application is a clinical decision. On the purchasing side, the task is to make sure the manufacturer's documents clearly state which product the kit produces.

Comparison table before requesting quotes

Purchasing checklist

1. Request the current instructions for use (IFU) and check that the centrifuge settings can be run on your device.
2. Request the CE certificate, ISO 13485 certificate and ÜTS registration with the quote.
3. Have the kit contents (tube, blood collection set, transfer syringe) itemized.
4. Check the expiry date and the storage conditions on the packaging.
5. Share your monthly application count; unit cost should be calculated per set.

FDA "clearance", not "approval"

In the US, PRP preparation systems can reach the market through a 510(k); Regen Lab's system above is one example. FDA does not "approve" a device this way: it finds the device substantially equivalent to a legally marketed device and "clears" it for sale. For sale in Turkey, the CE marking and ÜTS registration are what count; an FDA 510(k) can be considered additional information.

Cost analysis

When evaluating PRP kit cost, look not only at the unit price but at the total cost per application:

• Kit price
• Centrifuge investment (one-time)
• Application consumables
• Labor cost

Unit costs drop significantly with bulk purchases. An annual contract is advantageous for clinics performing 20+ applications per month.

At Clinimate, we supply CE-certified PRP kits, centrifuges and application supplies. Contact us for a package quote tailored to your clinic.