Anti-Popping Devices and Methods for Hair Implantation

• US 20100179580A1
• Filed: 01/06/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Venus Concept, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Restoration Robotics, Inc. (Venus Concept, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weglinski, Robert L., Kirkley, Timothy J., Oostman, Clifford A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,241,314 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 17/3468 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

Abstract

A system and method for implanting follicular units (FUs) into a body surface while suppressing expulsion of previously-implanted FUs. The system is particularly useful to facilitate hair transplant procedures. FUs are implanted in a body surface from an implant tool or needle that may be incorporated within an automated or robotic system, or may form part of a semi-automated or even manual apparatus. An anti-popping member prevents expulsion of the FUs adjacent to the location at which an FU is being implanted. The anti-popping member may be carried on the implant device, or may be a flexible membrane applied to the body surface. If on the device, the anti-popping member may be arranged near the distal tip thereof and may be shaped and mounted so as to conform to uneven body surfaces.

Claims

1. A device for implanting a follicular unit within a body surface while suppressing expulsion of one or more of adjacent implanted follicular units, comprising:

an implanting tool having a lumen sized to receive a follicular unit, a distal end of the tool having a tip for entering the body surface; and

an anti-popping member operatively associated with the implanting tool, the anti-popping member extending radially outward from the implanting tool a distance sufficient to contact an area on the body surface adjacent the implanting tool when the tip of the implanting tool enters the body surface and suppress expulsion of one or more adjacent implanted follicular units.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an outer elongated body having a throughbore, and wherein the implanting tool is mounted for translation along the throughbore of the outer elongated body.

3. The device of claim 1, further including means for expelling a follicular unit out of the lumen.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the means for expelling comprises an obturator.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the anti-popping member is adapted to be positioned at a distal end of the device for implanting.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the anti-popping member is pivotally mounted on the outer elongated body.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the anti-popping member is configured to conform to the body surface.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the anti-popping member comprises a flange on its distal side.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the flange gradually curves toward an outer edge of the flange.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the anti-popping member comprises a flexure undercut proximally to the flange and wherein a proximal portion of the anti-popping member comprises a plurality of flexing sections.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured for incorporation into a robotic hair implantation system or into a hand-held tool.

12. A device for implanting a follicular unit within a body surface while suppressing expulsion of an adjacent implanted follicular unit, comprising:

an implanting tool having a lumen sized to receive a follicular unit;

a housing to which the implanting tool is coupled for linear translation; and

an anti-popping member associated with the housing and extending radially outward from the implanting tool, the anti-popping member being coupled to move relative to the implanting tool at least in a second direction different from a direction of the linear translation of the implanting tool.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the anti-popping member pivots relative to the implanting tool.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the anti-popping member is slidably moveable towards a distal end of the implanting tool.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the anti-popping member is configured to conform to the body surface.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the anti-popping member comprises a bearing surface, and the device includes a bearing arranged around the implanting tool on which the bearing surface of the anti-popping member pivots.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the anti-popping member includes a cavity and a proximal shaft portion within which is defined at least a portion of the cavity, the proximal shaft portion having a proximal aperture sized smaller than the cavity for retaining the anti-popping member on the bearing.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the proximal shaft portion of the anti-popping member includes at least one flexing section, the device further including a retainer positioned around the at least one flexing section to help retain the anti-popping member on the bearing.

19. A method of implanting follicular units within a body surface, comprising:

implanting one or more follicular units within a body surface while suppressing expulsion of at least one adjacent previously implanted follicular unit,

wherein implanting and suppressing comprises using an anti-popping member operatively associated with an implanting tool.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the anti-popping member extending radially outward from the implanting tool, and wherein suppressing comprises contacting an area on the body surface with at least a portion of the anti-popping member when inserting the implanting tool into the body surface.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the anti-popping member comprises at least one anti-popping membrane and suppressing comprises covering a portion of the body surface with the at least one anti-popping membrane through which the implanting tool passes before piercing the body surface, the membrane having sufficient contact with an area on the body surface adjacent the implanting tool to suppress expulsion of adjacent implanted follicular units.