Follicular extraction method and device

• US 9,314,262 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HSC Deveiopment LLC, Venus Concept, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hsc Development LLC
• Inventors: Harris, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIMPSON, SARAH A
• Application Number:
  US11/102,550
• Publication Number:
  US 20050267506A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,029 Days
• Field of Search: 606/133, 606/187, 606/184, 606/185
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors blunt suture needles A61B2017/06085
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/10 Hair or skin implants

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.

Claims

1. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising:

(a) a sharp scoring punch having a sharp cutting edge;

(b) a blunt dissecting punch that is less sharp than said sharp scoring punch, said blunt dissecting punch comprising a dissecting distal tip and a lumen at said dissecting distal tip, wherein said dissecting distal tip is sized and configured to fit and be advanced through an incision formed by said sharp scoring punch and be sufficiently sharp to further penetrate and dissect tissue below the entire incision formed by the sharp scoring punch to separate fibrous attachments surrounding the follicular unit; and

(c) a mechanism configured to limit a depth of insertion of said sharp scoring punch to not greater than about 1.5 mm,

wherein said sharp scoring punch is disposed within said lumen of said blunt dissecting punch.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sharp cutting edge is substantially circular.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sharp cutting edge has an inner diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 1.1 mm.

4. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sharp cutting edge has an inner diameter of from about 0.7 mm to about 1 mm.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises means for limiting a depth of insertion of said blunt dissecting punch.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said device further comprises means for rotating said blunt dissecting punch.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said dissecting distal tip comprises a serrated dissecting edge.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said blunt dissecting punch further comprises means for separating a bottom portion of a follicular unit plug from a fatty layer.

9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said blunt dissecting punch at said dissecting distal tip comprises outer diameter that is tapered to ease insertion of the blunt dissecting punch into the incision formed by said sharp scoring punch.

10. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sharp scoring punch is retractable into said blunt dissecting punch lumen.

11. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said blunt dissecting punch lumen has an inner diameter of not greater than about 1 mm.

12. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said dissecting distal tip comprises a rounded annular dissecting edge.

13. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said sharp scoring punch and said blunt dissecting punch is mechanized.

14. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said blunt dissecting punch lumen has an inner diameter of from about 0.8 mm to about 1.0 mm.

15. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said sharp scoring punch and said blunt dissecting punch are fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid material.

16. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising:

(a) a sharp scoring punch comprising a cutting edge having an inner diameter of at least about 0.1 mm and not greater than about 1.1 mm;

(b) a blunt dissecting punch that is less sharp than said sharp scoring punch, said blunt dissecting punch comprising a distal annular dissecting edge that forms a lumen, wherein said distal annular dissecting edge is adapted to be advanced through an incision formed by said sharp scoring punch and be sufficiently sharp to further penetrate and dissect tissue below the entire incision formed by the sharp scoring punch to separate fibrous attachments surrounding the follicular unit; and

(c) a mechanism configured to limit a depth of insertion of the sharp scoring punch to not greater than about 1.5 mm, wherein said sharp scoring punch is disposed within said blunt dissecting punch lumen.

17. The device as recited in claim 16, wherein said sharp scoring punch is retractable into said blunt dissecting punch lumen.

18. The device as recited in claim 16, wherein said distal annular dissecting edge is rounded.

19. The device as recited in claim 16, wherein at least one of said sharp scoring punch and said blunt dissecting punch is mechanized.

20. The device is recited in claim 16, wherein said blunt dissecting punch lumen has an inner diameter of from about 0.8 mm to about 1.0 mm.

21. The device as recited in claim 16, wherein said blunt dissecting punch comprises an outer diameter that is tapered proximal to the distal annular dissecting edge to ease insertion of said blunt dissecting punch into the incision formed by said sharp scoring punch.

22. The device as recited in claim 16, wherein said sharp scoring punch and said blunt dissecting punch are fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid material.

23. A device for extraction of a follicular unit from a donor area, comprising:

(a) a sharp scoring punch having a sharp cutting edge;

(b) a blunt dissecting punch that is less sharp than said sharp scoring punch, said blunt dissecting punch comprising a dissecting distal tip and a lumen at said dissecting distal tip, wherein said dissecting distal tip is sized and configured to fit and be advanced through an incision formed by said sharp scoring punch to dissect tissue to separate fibrous attachments surrounding the follicular unit, and wherein said sharp scoring punch is disposed within said lumen of said blunt dissecting punch; and

(c) one or more mechanism(s) configured to limit a depth of insertion of the sharp scoring punch to not more than about 1.5 mm and to advance the blunt dissecting punch through skin layers deeper than the entire incision formed by the sharp scoring punch.

24. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein said device further comprises means for rotating said blunt dissecting punch.

25. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein said dissecting punch further comprises means for separating a bottom portion of a follicular unit plug from a fatty layer.

26. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein said blunt dissecting punch at said dissecting distal tip comprises an outer diameter that is tapered to ease insertion of the blunt dissecting punch into the incision formed by said sharp scoring punch.

27. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein said blunt dissecting punch lumen has an inner diameter of not greater than about 1 mm.

28. The device as recited in claim 23, wherein at least one of said sharp scoring punch and said blunt dissecting punch is mechanized.