Follicular Unit Removal Tool with Pivoting Retention Member and Method of its Use
First Claim
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1. A method for retaining one or more follicular units in a follicular unit removal tool, comprising:
- inserting a follicular unit removal tool comprising an elongated body and a retention member into a body surface, such that a distal end of the elongated body receives one or more follicular units in a lumen of the elongated body; and
pivoting the retention member between a retracted position and a retention position, such that in the retention position at least a portion of the retention member projects into the lumen of the elongated body,wherein in the retracted position the retention member defines a portion of the lumen thereof and a size of an outer and an inner cross-sectional profile of a portion of the follicular unit removal tool that comprises the retention member is substantially the same as if the retention member was not present.
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Abstract
Tools and methods are provided for removing follicular units from a body surface while improving retention of the follicular units in the removal tool. The removal tool is configured to accommodate a retention member. The retention member may comprise pivotally movable elements which retain the follicular unit in the removal tool. The described tools and methods are especially useful for harvesting follicular units from a body surface in a hair transplantation process.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for retaining one or more follicular units in a follicular unit removal tool, comprising:
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inserting a follicular unit removal tool comprising an elongated body and a retention member into a body surface, such that a distal end of the elongated body receives one or more follicular units in a lumen of the elongated body; and pivoting the retention member between a retracted position and a retention position, such that in the retention position at least a portion of the retention member projects into the lumen of the elongated body, wherein in the retracted position the retention member defines a portion of the lumen thereof and a size of an outer and an inner cross-sectional profile of a portion of the follicular unit removal tool that comprises the retention member is substantially the same as if the retention member was not present. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for retaining one or more follicular units in a follicular unit removal tool, comprising:
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inserting a follicular unit removal tool comprising an elongated body and a retention member into a body surface, such that a distal end of the elongated body receives one or more follicular units in a lumen of the elongated body; and pivoting the retention member between a retracted position in which the retention member defines a portion of the lumen thereof and a retention position in which as a proximal end of the retention member is urged outward in a radial direction, a distal end of the retention member is urged radially inward in an opposite direction into the retention position where at least a portion of the retention member projects into the lumen of the elongated body. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification