Below are some frequently asked questions for our DALI Premium Horizontal PRF Centrifuge package, which provides the latest cutting-edge technology for the PRF protocol. Instructions for the Horizontal PRF Centrifuge can be found here: Horizontal Centrifuge PRF Instructions
Horizontal vs Fixed Angle
What is the difference between your Premium Horizontal Centrifuge for PRF and the Classic Centrifuge for PRF?
There are several differences between our Premium Horizontal Centrifuge package and our Classic Centrifuge for PRF.- Horizontal Centrifugation: The most important difference is that the Premium package uses a centrifuge that works on horizontal centrifugation. The Classic Centrifuge uses fixed-angle centrifugation. Recent research suggests that horizontal centrifugation for Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) provides benefits over the classical fixed-angle centrifugation. (see the next question)
- Programmed & Custom Settings: Additionally, our Premium Centrifuge works via pre-programmed settings, as opposed to our Classic Centrifuge which is a manual machine (i.e. you need to turn the knob to get the proper setting). Our Premium Centrifuge comes pre-set with 2 PRF settings, and there are up to 8 other settings you can program on your own, based on your preferred PRF spin cycle.
- Improved Safety: Our Premium Centrifuge also comes equipped with LED monitoring and several additional safety measures, including a shatterproof lid which can only be opened when the centrifuge’s rotor is stopped, even if the unit loses power.
- Built in the USA: Finally, our Premium Centrifuge is designed, built, and supported in the USA. This allows us to provide better service, including a lifetime warranty on the centrifuge rotor.
Why does it look like the tubes are at angle in the photo for the Horizontal Centrifuge?
A horizontal centrifuge is more appropriately known as a “swing out” centrifuge. In every horizontal centrifuge, the tubes at rest are at an angle. It is only when the centrifuge is spinning at high speed that the tubes “swing-out” and are horizontal. It is impossible to really see this, because at high RPM you can’t even really see the tubes moving. This is why you don’t see the horizontal photo online and only see the “at rest” picture. For more information, see this post: Why does it look like the tubes are at angle in the photo for the Horizontal Centrifuge?Horizontal Centrifugation Benefits
What are the benefits of Horizontal Centrifugation?
A: Fixed angle centrifugation has been the standard protocol for PRF preparation for many years. However, recent research suggests that horizontal centrifugation may provide better results. It should be noted that outside of PRF, many large labs also now incorporate horizontal centrifugation for various applications, due to the horizontal rotors better separation ability. Horizontal centrifugation was the subject of 2 recent studies, by Miron et al. and Lourenço ES et al. 1,2
Miron et al. concluded that:
“Horizontal centrifugation produced a significant increase in both the number and concentration of platelets and leukocytes (up to 3.5× higher for either solid/liquid PRF), when compared to either fixed or angled centrifuge.” 2
As for the theory behind horizontal centrifugation, Miron et al., explains:
Two advantages are noted utilizing horizontal centrifugation. First, a completely horizontal tube produced from a swing-out bucket allows for the greatest differential between the minimum and maximum radius found within a centrifugation tube. This allows for a greater ability to separate cell layers based on disparities between the RCF-min and RCF-max produced within a tube. Secondly, a fixed-angle centrifuge results in more trauma to cells. Since centrifugation typically pushes cells outward and downward, cell layer separation is always observed in an angulated fashion using fixed-angle centrifuges…Furthermore, during the centrifugation process, cells are pushed toward the outer wall and are then typically migrate either up or down the centrifugation tube based on density. It is hypothesized that larger cells (such as red blood cells) entrap smaller cells such as platelets during the centrifugation process and drag them downward along the back centrifugation wall into the red blood cell layer as a result of cell accumulation against the back wall. In contrast, PRF produced via horizontal separation allows the direct flow through of cells. Therefore, horizontal centrifugation allows cells to migrate freely throughout the blood layers. This allows for better separation of cell types (along with the greater differentiation in RCF values between RCF-min and RCF-max) resulting in a higher final concentrations of desired cells (platelets and leukocytes) within the appropriate final blood layers. Furthermore, cells are less likely to suffer potential damage along the back wall of centrifugation tubes produced using high g-forces (~200–700g forces) following fixed-angle centrifugation. 2
- J Biomed Mater Res A. 2018 May;106(5):1373-1380 The in vitro release of cytokines and growth factors from fibrin membranes produced through horizontal centrifugation. Lourenço ES et al.
“The present results demonstrate that blood-derived fibrin membranes with high structural stability and cell content can be generated by horizontal centrifugation, being able of a prolonged production/release of growth factors and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.”
- J Biomed Mater Res A. 2019 Oct;107(10):2257-2271. A novel method for evaluating and quantifying cell types in platelet rich fibrin and an introduction to horizontal centrifugation. Miron RJ et al.
“Horizontal centrifugation produced a significant increase in both the number and concentration of platelets and leukocytes (up to 3.5× higher for either solid/liquid PRF), when compared to either fixed or angled centrifuge.”
Horizontal Centrifugation Protocols
What PRF Protocols does the Premium Horizontal Centrifuge provide?*
Our Horizon 6 Flex Premium Horizontal Centrifuge comes preset with 2 PRF Protocol Settings based on the Horizontal protocols:-
Solid PRF (the classic PRF Membranes and Plugs, which are referenced in the literature for the fixed-angle maches as A-PRF or L-PRF, depending on the centrifuge used) . The Solid PRF Setting is set at 2,300 RPM for 8 Minutes. This is approximately equivalent to 750 RCF (i.e. G-Force, see details below) on this machine. IMPORTANT: Please consult the instruction for the latest settings for Solid PRF based on the type of tube that is used. You may need to adjust your settings.
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Liquid PRF (otherwise known as iPRF, or injectable PRF). The Liquid PRF Setting is set at 1,200 RPM for 8 Minutes. This is approximately equivalent to 200 RCF (i.e. G-Force, see details below) on this machine. Some users report better results with these settings for Liquid PRF:
1,500 RPM (~300 RCF) for 5 Minutes for Females
1,900 RPM (~500 RCF) for 5 Minutes for Males (It’s not clear if this is necessary for all males, but the original Choukroun protocol also had different male/female settings)
If you want to try these settings, please create 2 new custom settings on your machine with these settings and try it out.
- Custom Settings The great thing about our Horizontal Centrifuge is that you can simulate any PRF protocol you want with our Horizontal Centrifuge, including new PRF protocols that maybe developed in the future, by simply adding your own custom setting. There are up to 8 additional custom settings you can use for your own PRF protocols. So for example, it is well known that due to inherent biological differences, and other factors, it is possible that for some patients 2,300 RPM for 8 minutes will not be sufficient for the PRF Membrane. If that is the case for a specific patient, you can always create a new custom setting on the machine to spin 2,300 RPM for additional 4 or 6 minutes. That way when the first spin is done, you can quickly spin it some more, if need be.
RCF and G-Force If you want to use another protocol, you should find out what particular centrifuge they are using for a particular protocol, and what RPM/time they have used, as well as the G-Force (defined as RCFmax) . With this Centrifuge, you can create PRF as described in any protocol by properly setting the RPM/time which would correspond to the proper RCF.
RCF (RCF max) describes the amount of accelerative force applied to a sample in a centrifuge. As RCF is a function of the RPM and radius of the centrifuge. PRF protocol results derived from using centrifuges with different radii are not comparable, and the RPM may need to be adjusted to achieve a similar RCF on a different centrifuge. However, different PRF protocols can be replicated assuming you get the correct information about the protocol and the machine used.
Luckily, the DALI Horizontal Centrifuge will flash the RCF on the screen for any particular RPM, so it is very easy to figure out the correct RPM for a particular RCF mentioned in a study.
Alternatively, there is a simple online calculator to figure out the equation for RCF (we assume RCFmax is used, which is the international standard of measurement). The radius on the Horizontal Centrifuge is approximately 127mm.
