Photothermal activation boosts platelet function, not only concentration.

Photo-stimulation drives oxidative phosphorylation, raising cellular ATP; keeping PRP at 4 °C promotes platelet aggregation and a more sustained GF release.

In a 10-patient pilot (knee OA), biomarker changes (TNF-α, PDGF) at 3 months were not significantly different vs. classic CaCl₂ activation, but clinical outcomes improved, especially in patients with marked effusion/inflammation.