A question we get repeatedly is which Centrifuge is best for creating PRF, for either Solid PRF or Liquid PRF applications.
There is No Best Centrifuge for PRF
The simple answer, even though we do sell a Centrifuge (Horizontal Centrifuge for PRF), is that there is no best Centrifuge. Any Centrifuge from any reputable manufacturer will create PRF, as long as the machine is set correctly to spin blood at the proper RCF (Relative Centrifugal Force) and time, and the other protocols are followed, i.e. blood drawing, tube type etc.
More specifically, PRF is a protocol for using a Centrifuge to spin blood in a certain manner to separate out the blood components for use in various clinical applications. The PRF protocols simply provide the Relative Centrifugal Force (RCF) and time required to spin the blood in order to obtain the proper separation to produce components that are clinically beneficial. In addition, the PRF protocols require the use of certain types of tubes, i.e. plain glass or plain plastic, depending on the application. But, these other requirements are not related to the actual centrifuge. As such, every single Centrifuge, as long as it is from a reputable manufacturer, can produce PRF and no company can ever claim that only their centrifuge can properly create PRF.
Studies Show that the Centrifuge has Negligible Effects on the Final PRF
Furthemore, it has been proven in studies that the Centrifuge itself has little effect on the quality of the final PRF.
The PRF centrifugation device had little effect on the final size outcomes of PRF membranes (~ 15% differences between various fixed-angle centrifuges) However, the differences in the PRF clots produced in the different tubes had a marked and pronounced effect on the final size outcomes of PRF tubes. (1)
Centrifuge Settings Confusion is the Real Culprit Here
The challenge in using most centrifuges for PRF applications is that the clinicians who publish research on PRF protocols use specific centrifuges (incidentally these researchers often also sell the Centrifuge in the study, which creates massive conflicts of interest, but that’s for another post). The settings used in the studies often reference RPM (rotations per minute), which does not translate to other machines. So what happens is that people who use the RPM values in studies on a different machine, end up with sub-optimal results and then think they need the machine from the study to create PRF. Of course, this is inaccurate because RPM is not the right value to use, so it is inevitable that simply copying the RPM used from one centrifuge to another centrifuge, will not work.
The measurement, however, that must be used to determine the proper setting is the Relative Centrifugal Force (RCF) , not the RPM. RCF is calculated based on the centrifuge’s rotor radius and RPM. There are various online tools to quickly perform the calculation for RCF. But, the important thing to remember is that RCF is a value that is independent of the centrifuge’s specific rotor. Using RCF ensures consistent separation results when using different centrifuges or rotors.
So if a study mentions an RPM value that is required for PRF, that RPM value is ONLY relevant for that particular machine. You would have to find out the RCF value for the specific protocol in order to determine what RPM can be used on another machine. Fortunately, more recent studies in PRF will provide the RCF value, as opposed to the RPM, making it easier to prepare any machine to produce PRF. However, if the study does not provide an RCF value, you can find out which machine was used in the study and calculate the RCF on your own.
Factors that Should Influence your Decision for Buying a Centrifuge
So if any machine can produce PRF, what should guide your decision for buying a centrifuge. Here are the top factors:
- Reputable Manufacturer: Most vendors who sell centrifuges do not manufacture them. They just private label centrifuges from larger manufacturers. So it is important to find out who the actual manufacturer of the centrifuge is and ensure they are reputable.
- Local Support: As centrifuges are electrical devices, stuff can go wrong. And, actually you need to check the calibration on a centrifuge approximately every 2 years. As such, you will want to buy a machine from a manufacturer that provides local support in the US, so you can easily ship the machine back inspection, if that is needed (e.g. for calibration). Unfortunately, most centrifuges nowadays are produced overseas, either in China or Germany, and it is extremely difficult to get support for the centrifuge, unless the local rep provides that support.
- Price: Obviously, everyone considers price when making a large purchase. It is important to keep in mind that nowadays with increasing tariffs worldwide, the centrifuges that are manufactured in the US will nearly always be less expensive for those in the US, than those manufactured overseas. Just because a machine is less expensive, doesn’t mean it is of lower quality. In general, all the US-based manufacturers produce centrifuges that are of better quality and are much less expensive than their foreign competitors.
- Custom Settings: Since PRF protocols are constantly changing and clinicians often have their own custom settings for various PRF applications, it is important to make sure the machine provides an easy to create and save several settings.
- Ease of Use: You will want to be sure the centrifuge has a digital display, that provides quick notifications on RPM/RCF values and and allows for easy switching between various settings.
References
- Comparative Study Clin Oral Investig. 2020 Mar;24(3):1171-1182. doi: 10.1007/s00784-019-02981-2. Epub 2019 Jul 19. # Comparison of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) produced using 3 commercially available centrifuges at both high (~ 700 g) and low (~ 200 g) relative centrifugation forces
Related Products
Looking for a Horizontal Centrifuge? Learn more about the DALI Horizontal Centrifuge. Manufactured in the US by Drucker, a company with over 50 years of centrifuge manufacturing expertise. Centrifuge offers 10 custom settings and local support!
