FOLLICULAR EXTRACTION METHOD AND DEVICE

• US 20090088776A1
• Filed: 12/09/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hsc Development LLC, Venus Concept, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hsc Development LLC
• Inventors: Harris, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,211,117 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 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00752 Hair removal or transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/10 Hair or skin implants

Abstract

A method and device for the extraction of follicular units from a donor area on a patient. The method includes scoring the outer skin layers with a sharp punch, and then inserting a blunt punch into the incision to separate the hair follicle from the surrounding tissue and fatty layer. The method and device will significantly decrease the amount of follicular transection and increase the rate at which follicular units can be extracted.

Claims

1. 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.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said dissecting punch is a blunt dissecting punch.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said scored incision is substantially circular.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said scored incision has a diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 1.1 mm.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein said scored incision has a diameter of from about 0.7 mm to about 1 mm.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said first depth is not greater than about 1.5 mm.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said first depth is from about 0.3 mm to about 1.5 mm.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said second depth is from about 1.5 mm to about 8 mm.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said second depth is from about 4 mm to about 7 mm.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said dissecting punch is removed from the donor area before said step of removing said follicular unit plug.

11. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of removing said follicular unit plug comprises removing the follicular unit plug using forceps.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of removing said follicular unit plug comprises using suction.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of separating a bottom portion of said follicular unit plug from the fatty layer before said removing step.

14. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of inserting a dissecting punch comprises rotating said dissecting punch about a primary axis of said dissecting punch.

15. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of transplanting said follicular unit.

16. A device for carrying out a method as recited in claim 1.

17. 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.