Follicular extraction method and device
First Claim
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1. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising the steps of:
- (a) scoring a portion of a donor area with a sharp scoring punch to form an incision having a first depth;
(b) inserting a blunt dissecting punch that is less sharp than the scoring punch into the incision to a second depth that is greater than said first depth and forming a follicular unit, wherein the blunt dissecting punch comprises a dissecting distal tip and a lumen at the dissecting distal tip; and
(c) removing the follicular unit from the donor area;
wherein the sharp scoring punch is disposed within the blunt dissecting punch lumen.
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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.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising the steps of:
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(a) scoring a portion of a donor area with a sharp scoring punch to form an incision having a first depth; (b) inserting a blunt dissecting punch that is less sharp than the scoring punch into the incision to a second depth that is greater than said first depth and forming a follicular unit, wherein the blunt dissecting punch comprises a dissecting distal tip and a lumen at the dissecting distal tip; and (c) removing the follicular unit from the donor area; wherein the sharp scoring punch is disposed within the blunt dissecting punch lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising the steps of:
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(a) scoring a portion of a donor area with a sharp scoring punch to form a scored incision having a first depth of not greater than about 1.5 mm; (b) inserting a blunt dissecting punch that is less sharp than the scoring punch into the scored incision to a second depth of at least about 4 mm forming a follicular unit, the blunt dissecting punch comprising a distal annular dissecting edge that forms a lumen; (c) removing said follicular unit from the donor area; and (d) transplanting said follicular unit in a recipient area; and wherein the sharp scoring punch is disposed within the blunt dissecting punch lumen. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for the extraction of a follicular unit plug from a donor area, comprising the steps of:
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(a) penetrating a portion of a donor area with a sharp scoring punch to form an incision having a first depth; (b) advancing a blunt distal tip of a blunt dissecting punch through the incision to a second depth that is greater than the first depth and forming a follicular unit plug comprising a follicular unit, the blunt dissecting punch comprising a lumen at the blunt distal tip and wherein the blunt distal tip guides the follicular unit plug into the lumen; and (c) removing the follicular unit plug from the donor area; wherein the sharp scoring punch is disposed within the blunt dissecting punch lumen. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification