A Multi-Donor Ex Vivo Platelet Activation and Growth Factor Release Study Using Electric Pulses With Durations Up to 100 Microseconds

The study explored the use of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) with durations between 5 and 100 microseconds to activate platelets in platelet rich plasma (PRP) as an alternative to the traditional biochemical activator, bovine thrombin (BT). The research demonstrated that these microsecond PEFs could effectively induce platelet activation and release growth factors such as platelet derived, vascular endothelial, and epidermal growth factors, achieving similar or higher levels compared to BT. This method could potentially address the drawbacks of BT, including cost and immune response issues, and offer a more efficient and compact solution for clinical and trauma applications by reducing the need for expensive and bulky nanosecond pulse generators.