In the mid-90s, Dr. Eduardo Anitua and his team focused their research activities in the field of bone graft optimization. The goal was to improve osseointegration in oral surgery. Results derived from this research led him to develop a procedure for obtaining autologous fibrin that could serve as a protective membrane and allow for compacting bone grafts.
This bio-product was obtained from blood plasma; the therapeutic effects achieved in oral surgery were not only attributed to fibrin, but more to the high concentration of signalling proteins contained in this preparation. Among these signalling proteins, the so-called growth factors, small diffusible proteins, play a key role in tissue repair mechanisms.

At that time, there were very few publications or references dealing with the obtention of fibrin membranes. There was only a small group of clinical researchers working on the obtention of autologous fibrin from samples of from 450 to 500 ml. of blood in different therapeutic applications.

An unviable practice

Dr. Anitua considered this practice as unviable oral and maxillofacial surgery applications for obvious reasons: the large blood volume required, use of bovine thrombin (still prohibited in Europe) and, its practical use was only applied in a hospital setting.
Nevertheless, being able to develop a simpler procedure and technology on a smaller scale with great therapeutic expectations was a remarkable challenge.