If you type “best-selling PRP tube” into your search engine, the tiger top vacuum centrifuge tube, often referred to as the Serum Separator Tube (SST), might appear as one of the prominent results. However, its popularity does not necessarily make it suitable for patient procedures. Although your clinic might find it cost-effective to use these tubes and other non-FDA approved PRP kits, they could present unforeseen costs and risks in the future.
Tiger top tubes or SST Tubes are specifically engineered for lab use. A notable feature is that they contain a clot activator and serum separator gel but lack an anticoagulant. This results in a plasma sample void of platelets after separation from whole blood, clearly distinguishing that this isn’t Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) but the complete opposite. Using these tubes for therapeutic interventions can be dangerous, medically ineffective, and downright irresponsible. The key role of platelets in blood clotting is disregarded by these tubes, making them inappropriate for treatments requiring platelets. Tiger top tubes are not medical grade and should not be confused with medical equipment. They are a valuable resource in blood labs and are great for testing, but do not produce a medical grade serum viable for injection, or other clinical applications.
SST tubes, particularly the BD Vacutainer Plus plastic serum and SST tubes, have a coating of silicone and micronized silica particles, which accelerates the clotting process. This silicone coating minimizes the adhesion of red blood cells to the tube walls. Meanwhile, the silica coating might render the inner tube wall cloudy or filmy in appearance. However, this cloudiness doesn’t make the tubes unsuitable for their intended laboratory purposes.
Now, here’s where the concern escalates: the introduction of silica, silicone, and potentially present endotoxins from SST tubes into the human body can be a recipe for disaster. Injecting these substances might trigger serious and potentially fatal repercussions, such as stroke and other cerebrovascular events. Furthermore, while BD Vacutainer tubes are renowned for their utility in labs, it’s important to note that BD doesn’t claim any of their blood collection tubes to be free of endotoxins. The presence of endotoxins in any injectable can have detrimental and possibly lethal effects on the patient.
It is vital for medical establishments to ensure the products they employ have a valid FDA 510(k) clearance, emphasizing the need for safety and efficacy over minor cost savings.
Juventix Regenerative Medical stands at the forefront of industry standards, offering FDA 510(k) Cleared, ISO 13485, Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) compliant, and CE certified (Class IIb) products. Our dedication to excellence is unwavering, evident in our comprehensive range of offerings in autologous Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and related Cell Therapy technologies.
To explore our FDA cleared PRP products and medical supplies further, please visit www.juventix.com, email Hello@Juventix.com, or call (866) 693-4777.
Legal Disclaimer: This article’s content is purely for informational purposes. It should not supersede medical or legal advice. Always consult professionals before making decisions based on this content. We disclaim any liability for actions taken or not taken based on this article.
