HAIR RESTORATION SURGERY

• US 20120215231A1
• Filed: 09/17/2010
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carlos K. Wesley
• Original Assignee: Carlos K. Wesley
• Inventors: Wesley, Carlos K.
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• 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 17/32093 for skin incisions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00752 Hair removal or transplantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/10 Hair or skin implants

Abstract

A surgical apparatus includes an elongated member (1), a dissection module (10), and an extraction module (701). The dissection module is removably attachable to a first end of the elongated member and includes a tissue separating device (10). The extraction module is removably attachable to the first end of the elongated member and includes a suction port and a tissue removal implement (13,14) disposed within the suction port.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

an elongated member;

a dissection module removably attachable to a first end of the elongated member, the dissection module including a tissue separating device; and

an extraction module removably attachable to the first end of the elongated member, the extraction module including

a suction port, and

a tissue removal implement disposed within the suction port.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus accepts the dissection module or the extraction module interchangeably.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an imaging system attached to a second end of the elongated member, the imaging system including:

a light source for illuminating a target through a hollow passage in the elongated member between the first end and the second end; and

a viewing port for receiving an image of the target.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue removal implement is disposed concentrically within the suction port.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue removal implement is configured to separate the target region of tissue from surrounding tissue.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue removal implement includes a plurality of curved cutting devices disposed around a most superficial border of the tissue removal implement.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cutting devices include at least one of blades, arms, levers, chemicals, enzymes, or lasers.

12. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue removal implement includes a plurality of gripping ledges disposed on an inner surface of the tissue removal implement.

15. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction port is oriented at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member.

16. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated member includes a control mechanism connectable to the tissue separating device or the tissue removal implement.

17. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue separating device is configured to move relative to the elongated member.

18. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extraction module further comprises a sensor configured to detect a structure of the skin.

20. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is flexible.

21. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tissue separating device includes at least one of a blade, a balloon, an electrocautery device, a device that dispenses a pressurized gas or liquid, an enzymatic or chemical tissue separator, and a laser.

22. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction port is in fluid communication with a reservoir that receives a region of tissue extracted by the tissue removal implement

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

23. An endoscopic surgery kit comprising:

a dissection device for dissecting a cavity below the skin of a patient, comprising

a first elongated member, and

a tissue separating device attached to a first end of the first elongated member; and

an extraction device for insertion into the cavity, comprising

a second elongated member,

a suction port attached to a first end of the second elongated member, and

a tissue removal implement disposed within the suction port.

24. The endoscopic surgery kit of claim 23, wherein the dissection device further comprises an imaging system positioned at a second end of the first elongated member.

25. The endoscopic surgery kit of claim 24, wherein the imaging system includes:

a light source for illuminating a target located at the first end of the first elongated member through a hollow passage in the first elongated member; and

a viewing port for receiving an image of the target.

26-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A method comprising:

using a tissue separating device attached to an end of an elongated member, creating a cavity below the skin of a patient;

from the cavity, performing the steps of;

applying suction to a selected portion of skin tissue superficial to the cavity via a suction port attached to the end of the elongated member;

isolating the selected portion of skin tissue from surrounding tissue using a tissue removal implement disposed within the suction port; and

applying a downward force to the selected portion of skin tissue using the tissue removal implement to extract the selected portion of skin tissue from the surrounding tissue without altering an outward appearance of the skin.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the selected portion of skin tissue includes a hair follicle and creating a cavity below the skin includes creating a cavity in a plane below the hair follicles.

35-47. -47. (canceled)