Anti-Popping Devices and Methods for Hair Implantation
First Claim
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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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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:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for implanting a follicular unit within a body surface while suppressing expulsion of an adjacent implanted follicular unit, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of implanting follicular units within a body surface, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification