Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation techniques, may prematurely activate platelets, and often reduce their therapeutic effectiveness. These methods also involve complex equipment and handling that limit their use in low-resource or point-of-care settings. To overcome these challenges, researchers have developed a novel method that separates PRP directly from blood without requiring centrifugation. The new approach yields high-quality, minimally activated platelets, offering a cost-effective and portable alternative to existing methods.

This solution, developed at the University of the Basque Country (Leioa, Spain), is a disposable, low-cost device based on gravity sedimentation, a process where denser particles settle under gravity. Unlike traditional centrifuge-based equipment, the system is made from laser-cut acrylic sheets and special adhesives, making it affordable and easy to manufacture. This innovation is the result of over a decade of research into Lab-on-a-Chip technologies—compact systems that replicate laboratory functions on a single microdevice. During their studies, the team observed that plasma separated in these devices was rich in low-activated platelets, prompting a redesign for therapeutic purposes. The device can extract about 300 microliters of PRP from 1 milliliter of blood in 40 minutes and can be scaled for different blood volumes.

Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

The system was tested and validated through performance metrics, including platelet activation levels and blood component separation. Compared to traditional methods, platelet activation was significantly reduced to 8.2% from 31%, while maintaining the mean platelet volume crucial for PRP efficacy. It also eliminated 98% of red blood cells and 96% of white blood cells. The findings, published in Lab on a Chip, demonstrate the device’s potential for use in personalized treatments, resource-limited clinics, and home healthcare.

Related Links:
University of the Basque Country