November 1, 2024
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has become a cornerstone of regenerative medicine, with increasing evidence supporting its ability to promote tissue healing through the delivery of concentrated growth factors. However, not all PRP systems produce the same quality or quantity of platelets — and these differences can directly impact clinical outcomes.
Among available systems, the EmCyte PRP Kit and the Arthrex ACP PRP Kit are two of the most widely used FDA-cleared options. Yet significant differences exist between them, especially when it comes to platelet recovery, concentration, and resulting clinical effectiveness. This article explores these differences, based on the latest clinical studies.
Achieving a high platelet concentration is critical to the success of PRP therapy. Clinical studies show that higher platelet doses are associated with better patient outcomes, particularly in orthopedic and musculoskeletal treatments.
EmCyte PRP Kits:
A 2021 study by Meridith, et al., published in PM&R (PubMed ID: 33543595), demonstrated that EmCyte PRP Kits achieve over 90% platelet recovery on average.
Based on this platelet recovery rate:
If a patient’s baseline platelet count is ~250,000/μL, EmCyte’s 60 mL kit (drawing 54 mL of blood) allows recovery of approximately 12 billion platelets per treatment.
This exceeds the effective therapeutic threshold established by recent clinical research.
Arthrex ACP PRP Kits:
In contrast, the Arthrex ACP system yields significantly lower platelet recovery. This study shows that its smaller blood draw volume (typically 15–20 mL) produces only 4–5 mL of PRP with a much lower platelet count — typically less than 1 billion platelets per treatment.
This lower dose may limit clinical effectiveness, particularly in more demanding applications like orthopedic injuries and osteoarthritis.
The impact of platelet dose on clinical outcomes is no longer theoretical — it has been directly demonstrated in human studies.
A 2021 study published in Stem Cells International (PMC7889864) showed that a single PRP injection with 10 billion platelets significantly improved knee osteoarthritis symptoms at 1-year follow-up.
Conversely, a 2020 study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (PMC8023954) demonstrated that three PRP injections produced using a 20 mL Arthrex ACP kit (yielding an average of only 0.5 billion platelets each) were ineffective for treating knee osteoarthritis at 1 year.
These findings underline the critical importance of achieving a therapeutic platelet dose — something EmCyte is proven to deliver, and Arthrex ACP may struggle to achieve.
How the PRP is processed matters just as much as the volume drawn.
EmCyte PRP Kits:
EmCyte utilizes a double-spin centrifugation technique, which separates platelets more efficiently from red blood cells and plasma. This method is designed to:
Maximizes platelet concentration into a smaller volume
Minimizes red blood cell contamination
Allows clinicians to prepare both leukocyte-rich and leukocyte-poor PRP formulations, depending on clinical needs
Arthrex ACP PRP Kits:
Arthrex ACP uses a single-spin method. While faster and easier, this technique may results in:
Lower platelet concentrations and higher volume
Higher contamination with red blood cells
Less flexibility for different clinical applications
Both systems are FDA-cleared, ensuring compliance with safety standards. However, the depth and quality of supporting clinical research favor EmCyte.
EmCyte PRP Kits are supported by multiple peer-reviewed studies demonstrating superior platelet recovery and improved clinical outcomes across orthopedic, aesthetic, and regenerative medicine applications.
Arthrex ACP PRP Kits, while popular due to simplicity and brand recognition, lack comparable evidence demonstrating effective platelet dosing for many therapeutic indications.
For providers serious about optimizing clinical outcomes, EmCyte PRP Kits offer clear advantages:
Over 90% platelet recovery, delivering therapeutic doses
Double-spin centrifugation for purer, higher-quality PRP
Strong clinical data supporting effectiveness across multiple indications
In contrast, the Arthrex ACP system’s lower platelet yield and limited clinical effectiveness in higher-demand cases make it a less ideal choice for many regenerative practices.
Selecting the right PRP system is not just about convenience — it is about ensuring you deliver real, measurable value to your patients. EmCyte provides the platelet concentrations needed to achieve better results, setting a higher standard for regenerative therapies.
Need EmCyte equipment for your practice? PRP Labs is your one-stop source. We supply EmCyte PRP kits, centrifuges, and full clinical training to help you start offering high-quality PRP treatments right away. Call us today for pricing, fast shipping, and expert support.
Daniel Zengel, an executive with over 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device space, is dedicated to delivering industry-leading, cost-effective products to US-based medical providers. Specializing in regenerative medicine, Daniel focuses on sales, training, and marketing support to help clinics across the country successfully implement platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
Whether you are interested in offering PRP for aesthetic or musculoskeletal indications, we will provide you with everything you need to get great outcomes while increasing revenue!