Follicular dissection device and method

• US 20070293884A9
• Filed: 08/22/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cole Isolation Technique, Llc
• Original Assignee: Cole Isolation Technique, Llc
• Inventors: Cole, John P., Gutema, Tesfaye H.
• Granted Patent: US 9,480,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/187
• 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 2017/3492 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 apparatus and method useful for surgical removal of mammalian tissue.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical punch having a first end and a second end, said punch comprising an inner diameter of said second end greater than an inner diameter of said first end.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a shelf between said first end and said second end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising multiple inner diameters separated by associated outcroppings.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is adapted to dissect tissue.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical punch having a first end and a second end, said second end having at least one primary cutting edge and at least one secondary cutting edge.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one primary cutting edge lies substantially in a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends, said primary cutting edge being substantially planar.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one secondary cutting edge lies substantially in a plane substantially oblique to a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends, said secondary cutting edge being substantially planar.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one secondary cutting edge lies substantially in a plane substantially oblique to a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends, said secondary cutting edge being substantially arced.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said at least one primary cutting edge is substantially arced.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said apparatus is adapted to dissect tissue.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

26. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

27. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical punch having a first end and a second end, said second end having an edge, said edge comprising a plurality of denticulations.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one of said plurality of denticulations is sharp.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one of said plurality of denticulations is dull.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one of said plurality of denticulations has a sharp edge portion and a dull edge portion.

31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least one of said plurality of denticulations further comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of scallops, squares, points, semicircles and/or polygons.

32. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said apparatus is adapted to dissect tissue.

33. The apparatus of claim 27 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

38. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

39. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

40. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

41. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical punch having a first end and a second end, said second end of said punch further comprising a cutting edge wherein said cutting edge is angled with respect to a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said apparatus is adapted to dissect tissue.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

46. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

47. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

48. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

49. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

50. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

51. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical punch having a first end and a second end, said cylindrical punch further comprising slots oriented along a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, and further comprising at least one primary cutting edge and at least one secondary cutting edge, said at least one primary cutting edge being positioned adjacent to said secondary cutting edge.

53. The apparatus of claim 51 adapted to dissect tissue.

54. The apparatus of claim 51 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

56. The apparatus of claim 54 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

58. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

59. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

60. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

61. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

62. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical housing;

a punch comprising at least two members partially enclosed in said housing; and

an actuator coupled to said housing.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said actuator is capable of collapsing and expanding said members in response to translation of the actuator.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said members further comprise first ends and second ends and wherein at least one of said second ends of said members consists of a surface inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends.

65. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said members are coupled at a first end.

66. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein said members further comprise an inside surface wherein said inside surface further comprises follicular extraction features.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein said follicular extraction features further comprise barbs, protrusions, texture and/or suction holes.

68. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein at least one of said members comprises an adjustable inside diameter.

69. The apparatus of claim 62 and further comprising a suctioning device coupled to said actuator.

70. The apparatus of claim 62 wherein said apparatus is adapted to dissect tissue.

71. The apparatus of claim 62 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

72. The apparatus of claim 71 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

73. The apparatus of claim 71 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

75. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

76. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

77. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

78. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

79. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical punch comprising a first end and a second end;

a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end;

said second end comprising,

at least one primary cutting edge substantially angled with respect to said longitudinal axis;

at least one secondary cutting edge adjacent to said primary cutting edge, said at least one secondary cutting edge residing in a plane substantially normal with respect to said longitudinal axis; and

at least one lead-in groove comprising a recess between said at least one primary cutting edge and said at least one secondary cutting edge.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein said apparatus is adapted to dissect tissue.

81. The apparatus of claim 79 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

82. The apparatus of claim 81 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

83. The apparatus of claim 81 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

84. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

85. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

86. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

87. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

88. The apparatus of claim 83 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

89. An apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical punch comprising a surface, a first end and a second end;

a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end;

at least one axial groove positioned on said surface of said punch, said axial grove being substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis; and

at least one sliding blade positioned within said axial groove.

90. The apparatus of claim 89 and further comprising:

at least one blade holder positioned substantially concentrically to said punch.

91. The apparatus of claim 89 and further comprising:

a punch holder coupled to said punch; and

a spring coupled to said punch holder.

92. The apparatus of claim 89 wherein said apparatus is adapted to dissect tissue.

93. The apparatus of claim 89 and further comprising a motion conversion mechanism coupled to said punch.

94. The apparatus of claim 93 wherein said motion conversion mechanism is capable of converting a first motion to a second motion, said second motion comprising rotating motion, vibrating motion, oscillating motion and/or reciprocating motion.

95. The apparatus of claim 93 and further comprising a punch translation mechanism coupled to said motion conversion mechanism, said punch translation mechanism being capable of extending, retracting and/or causing a reciprocating motion of said punch.

96. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a trigger.

97. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a solenoid.

98. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a motorized lead screw.

99. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein said punch translation mechanism is manual.

100. The apparatus of claim 95 wherein said punch translation mechanism further comprises a controller.

101. The apparatus of claim 89 and further comprising a support collar coupled to said punch holder.

102. The apparatus of claim 101 and further comprising a locking mechanism coupled to said support collar.

103. An apparatus comprising:

a punch comprising an outside surface; and

at least one depth marker applied to said outside surface.

104. The apparatus of claim 103 wherein said depth marker further comprises at least one symbol.

105. The apparatus of claim 103 wherein said depth marker further comprises at least one color band.

106. The apparatus of claim 103 wherein said depth marker further comprises at least one groove.

107. The apparatus of claim 103 and further comprising a sliding ring positioned on said outside surface.

108. The apparatus of claim 103 and further comprising a sliding handle coupled to said punch.

109. The apparatus of claim 108 and wherein said sliding handle further comprises a viewing window.

110. The apparatus of claim 108 and further comprising fasteners coupled to said sliding handle.

111. An apparatus comprising:

a hollow cylinder comprising;

an outside surface; and

a depth marker comprising a shoulder extending outward from said outside surface and fixed in position on said outside surface of said hollow cylinder.

112. An apparatus comprising:

a hollow cylinder comprising;

an outside surface;

a sliding scale coupled to said hollow cylinder; and

a handle coupled to said sliding scale.

113. An apparatus comprising:

a punch;

a depth stop coupled to said punch;

a sliding ring collar fixed to said depth stop and coupled to said punch; and

a barrel coupled to said sliding ring collar;

114. The apparatus of claim 113 and further comprising;

a screw coupled to said punch; and

a first nut coupled to said screw;

a second nut coupled to said barrel; and

said first nut and said second nut positioned on opposite sides of said barrel.