FOLLICULAR EXTRACTION PUNCH AND METHOD

• US 20070213741A1
• Filed: 11/30/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Cole
• Original Assignee: John Cole
• Inventors: Cole, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,028,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/322 Skin grafting apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3403 Needle locating or guiding means guides for suture needles A61B17/0482; guiding or tracking by nuclear magnetic resonance G01R33/285
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3496 Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00752 Hair removal or transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00902 transparent or translucent
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00969 used for transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3492 against the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/062 penetration depth

Abstract

Provided herein is an instrument and method useful to incise in to the skin to a precise depth and at a specific angle with respect to the surface of the skin of a patient, for the extraction of individual follicular groups or individual follicular units. An instrument according to the invention precisely limits the depth of incision, and creates a circular incision around a hair, follicular unit, or follicular cluster in a manner such that no damage occurs to any of the hair shafts.

Claims

1-37. -37. (canceled)

38. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit from a section of skin, comprising the steps of:

(a) penetrating said section of skin to form an incision having a first depth;

(b) inserting a dissection punch into the incision to a second depth that is greater than said first depth and form a follicular unit comprising one or more hair follicles; and

(c) removing the follicular unit from the section of skin.

41. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein said incision is substantially circular.

42. A method as recited in claim 41, wherein said incision has a diameter of from about 0.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.

43. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein said first depth is not greater than about 1.5 mm.

44. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein said first depth is from about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm.

45. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein said second depth is from about 2.0 mm to about 7.0 mm.

46. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein said punch is removed from the section of skin before said step of removing said follicular unit.

48. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein said step of removing said follicular unit comprises using suction.

49. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, further comprising a step of separating a bottom portion of said follicular unit from a fatty layer before said removing step.

50. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, wherein said step of inserting a punch comprises rotating said punch about a primary axis of said punch.

51. A method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40, further comprising a step of transplanting said follicular unit.

52. A device for carrying out a method as recited in claim 38, 39 or 40.

39. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit plug from a section of skin, comprising the steps of:

(a) scoring a portion of skin to form an incision having a first depth;

(b) inserting a dissection punch into the incision to a second depth that is greater than said first depth and form a follicular unit plug comprising one or more follicular units; and

(c) removing the follicular unit plug from the section of skin.

40. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit plug from a section of skin, comprising the steps of:

(a) scoring a preselected portion of skin to form an incision having a first depth;

(b) inserting a dissecting punch into the scored incision to a second depth that is greater than said first depth and form a follicular unit plug comprising a follicular unit; and

(c) removing the follicular unit from a section of skin.

53. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit from a section of skin, comprising the steps of:

(a) scoring a preselected portion of a section of skin to form a scored incision having a first depth of not greater than about 1.5 mm;

(b) inserting a beveled punch into said incision to a second depth of at least about 4 mm to form a follicular unit;

(c) removing said follicular unit from the section of skin; and

(d) transplanting said follicular unit in another portion of skin.

54. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit plug from a section of skin, comprising the steps of:

(a) scoring a portion of a section of skin to form a incision having a first depth of not greater than about 0.5 mm;

(b) inserting a flat penetrating punch into said incision to a second depth of at least about 4 mm to form a follicular unit plug comprising a follicular unit;

(c) removing said follicular unit plug from the a section of skin; and

(d) transplanting said follicular unit plug in another portion of skin.

55. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit plug from a section of skin, comprising the steps of:

(a) penetrating a portion of a section of skin to form a incision having a first depth of not greater than about 0.5 mm;

(b) inserting a nipple end into said incision to a second depth of at least about 4 mm to form a follicular unit plug comprising a follicular unit;

(c) removing said follicular unit plug from the section of skin; and

(d) transplanting said follicular unit plug in another portion of skin.

56. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a sharp punch capable of making incisions; and

(b) a dissection punch with a substantially flat nipple end.

63. A device as recited in claim 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein said sharp punch comprises a cutting edge that is substantially circular.

64. A device as recited in claim 63, wherein said cutting edge has an inner diameter of from about 0.5 mm to about 4.5 mm.

65. A device as recited in claim 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein said device further comprises means for limiting the depth of insertion of said sharp punch.

66. A device as recited in claim 65, wherein said means for limiting the depth of insertion of said sharp punch comprises means for limiting the depth of insertion for said sharp punch to not greater than about 0.5 mm.

67. A device as recited in claim 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein said sharp punch is disposed within a bore of said dissection punch.

68. A device as recited in claim 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein said device further comprises means for rotating said dissection punch.

69. A device as recited in claim 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein said dissection punch further comprises means for separating a bottom portion of said follicular unit from the fatty layer.

70. A device as recited in claim 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein said dissection punch is tapered.

57. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a sharp punch capable of making incisions, and

(b) a dissection punch with a blunt nipple end.

58. A device for extraction of a follicular unit comprising:

(a) a sharp punch capable of making incisions; and

(b) a dissection punch with a nipple tip.

59. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a sharp punch capable of making incisions; and

(b) a skin penetrating punch with a nipple tip.

60. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a sharp piercing punch; and

(b) a dissection punch with a nipple tip.

61. A device for extraction of a follicular unit comprising:

(a) a sharp piercing punch; and

(b) a dissection punch with a flat end.

62. A device for extraction of a follicular unit comprising:

(a) a sharp piercing punch; and

(b) a dissection punch with a nipple stop.

71. A device for the extraction of a follicular unit from an area of skin, comprising:

(a) a main body adapted to be gripped by an operator and having first and second ends;

(b) a sharp penetrating punch disposed at one of said first and second ends of said main body; and

(c) a dissecting nipple disposed at one of said first and second ends of said main body.

74. A device as recited in claim 71, 72 or 73, wherein said device is adapted to limit the incision depth of said punch.

75. A device as recited in claim 71, 72 or 73, wherein said punch has an inner diameter of from about 0.05 mm to about 4.5 mm.

72. A device for the extraction of a follicular unit from an area of skin, comprising:

(a) a main body adapted to be gripped by a surgeon and having first and second ends;

(b) a punch disposed at one of said first and second ends of said main body; and

(c) a nipple disposed at one of said first and second ends of said main body.

73. A device for the extraction of a follicular unit from an area of skin, comprising:

(a) handling means adapted to be gripped by an operator and having first and second ends;

(b) means disposed at one of said first and second ends of said handling means for scoring said area of skin; and

(c) means disposed at one of said first and second ends of said handling means for dissecting at least a portion of said area of skin.

75-1. A device as recited in claim 71, 72 or 73, wherein said punch is tapered.

76. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a handle to aid the handler in gripping; and

(b) a punch means disposed at an end of said handle.

82. A device as recited in claim 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 or 81, wherein said device further comprises means for rotating said punch in two rotational directions about an axis of said punch.

77. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a gripping means; and

(b) a punch means disposed at an end of said gripping means.

78. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a handle to aid the handler in gripping; and

(b) a punch disposed at an end of said handle and including a circular end angled so that a sharp side is longer than a coated side.

79. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a handle to aid the handler in gripping; and

(b) a punch disposed at an end of said handle and including a tubular end angled so that a sharp side is longer than a coated side.

80. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a handle to aid the handler in gripping; and

(b) a punch disposed at an end of said handle and including a tubular end angled so that a sharp side is longer.

81. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from the skin of a mammalian subject comprising:

(a) a handle to aid the handler in gripping; and

(b) a punch disposed at an end of said handle and including an end angled so that a sharp side is longer.

83. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit plug from a donor area, comprising the steps of:

(a) scoring a preselected portion of a donor area to form a scored incision having a first depth;

(b) inserting a dissecting punch into the scored incision to a second depth that is greater than said first depth and form a follicular unit plug comprising a follicular unit; and

(c) removing the follicular unit plug from the donor area.

84. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said dissecting punch is a blunt dissecting punch.

85. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said scored incision is substantially circular.

86. A method as recited in claim 85, wherein said scored incision has a diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 1.1 mm.

87. A method as recited in claim 85, wherein said scored incision has a diameter of from about 0.7 mm to about 1 mm.

88. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said first depth is not greater than about 1.5 mm.

89. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said first depth is from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm.

90. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said second depth is from about 1.5 mm to about 8 mm.

91. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said second depth is from about 4 mm to about 7 mm.

92. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said dissecting punch is removed from the donor area before said step of removing said follicular unit plug.

93. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said step of removing said follicular unit plug comprises removing the follicular unit plug using forceps.

94. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said step of removing said follicular unit plug comprises using suction.

95. A method as recited in claim 83, further comprising the step of separating a bottom portion of said follicular unit plug from the fatty layer before said removing step.

96. A method as recited in claim 83, wherein said step of inserting a dissecting punch comprises rotating said dissecting punch about a primary axis of said dissecting punch.

97. A method as recited in claim 83, further comprising the step of transplanting said follicular unit.

98. A device for carrying out a method as recited in claim 83.

99. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit plug from a donor area, comprising the steps of:

(a) scoring a preselected portion of a donor area to form a scored incision having a first depth of not greater than about 1.5 mm;

(b) inserting a blunt dissecting punch into said scored incision to a second depth of at least about 4 mm to form a follicular unit plug comprising a follicular unit;

(c) removing said follicular unit plug from the donor area; and

(d) transplanting said follicular unit plug in a recipient area.

100. A device for the extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising:

(a) a sharp scoring punch; and

(b) a blunt dissecting punch.

101. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said scoring punch comprises a cutting edge that is substantially circular.

102. A device as recited in claim 101, wherein said cutting edge has an inner diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 1.1 mm.

103. A device as recited in claim 101, wherein said cutting edge has an inner diameter of from about 0.7 mm to about 1 mm.

104. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said device further comprises means for limiting the depth of insertion of said scoring punch.

105. A device as recited in claim 104, wherein said means for inserting said scoring punch comprises means for limiting the depth of insertion for said scoring punch to not greater than about 1.5 mm.

106. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said sharp scoring punch is disposed within a lumen of said blunt dissecting punch.

107. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said device further comprises means for rotating said dissecting punch.

108. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said dissecting punch comprises a serrated dissecting edge.

109. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said dissecting punch further comprises means for separating a bottom portion of said follicular unit plug from the fatty layer.

110. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said dissecting punch is tapered.

111. A device as recited in claim 110, wherein said dissecting punch is serrated.

112. A device as recited in claim 100, wherein said sharp scoring punch and said blunt dissecting punch are disposed at opposite ends of an elongated handle.

113. A device for the extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising:

(a) a handle adapted to be gripped by an operator and having first and second ends;

(b) a sharp scoring punch disposed at said first end of said handle; and

(c) a dissecting punch disposed at said second end of said handle.

114. A device as recited in claim 113, wherein said handle is adapted to limit the incision depth of said scoring punch.

115. A device as recited in claim 113, wherein said scoring punch has an inner diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 1.1 mm.

116. A device as recited in claim 113, wherein said scoring punch has a diameter of from about 0.7 mm to 1 mm.

117. A device as recited in claim 113, wherein said dissecting punch is serrated.

118. A device as recited in claim 113, wherein said dissecting punch is tapered.

119. A device as recited in claim 113, wherein said handle is adapted to limit the incision depth of said dissecting punch.

120. A device for the extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising:

(a) a handle adapted to be gripped by an operator; and

(b) a dual-function punch disposed at an end of said handle, said dual-function punch comprising a round serrated tip having splines, wherein a leading edge of said splines is sharp and a trailing edge of said splines is blunt.

121. A device as recited in claim 120, wherein said device further comprises means for rotating said dual-function punch in two rotational directions about an axis of said punch.