Hair harvesting apparatus

Abstract

The extraction of a hair graft from a harvesting area of a scalp employs a hollow punch fitted with an auxiliary instrumentation for separating a target graft from collagen fibrils which resist extraction. A water jet which follows the annular path of the punch as it rotates into the scalp is described as well as a vibrating punch alternative embodiment for achieving the desired separation.

1 . Apparatus for extracting a follicular unit of hair including the bulb, from a harvest area of hair bearing skin, said apparatus comprising means for locating a follicular unit for extraction, means for aligning a coring device with the follicular units, means for advancing the coring device in a manner to encompass the follicular unit to the base of the bulb and means coupled to said coring device for cutting the surrounding anatomical structures preferentially as said coring device advances. 
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said means for cutting comprises transducer coupled to said coring device and control means for activating said transducer responsive to the advance of said coring device. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said means for cutting comprises a water jet scalpel and control means for activating said water jet scalpel in a manner to direct a water jet along an annular path at the distal surface of said coring device. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said coring device comprises a dull distal surface and said apparatus comprises means for rotating said coring device as it advances into the hair bearing skin. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus for extracting a hair graft from a harvesting area of hair bearing skin, said apparatus comprising a hollow punch having a cylindrical wall and a distal end, said cylindrical wall including a channel having an opening at said distal end, said channel being coupled to a source of fluid, said apparatus also including a pump for providing a fluid jet at said opening and a means for advancing said punch and for rotating said punch as it advances. 
   
   
       6 . Apparatus as in  claim 5  also including means for aligning said punch with a target hair graft. 
   
   
       7 . Apparatus as in  claim 6  also including a controller for selecting the fluid pressure of said fluid jet. 
   
   
       8 . Apparatus for extracting a follicular unit of hair from a hair bearing skin, said apparatus comprising first and second cutting assemblies, said first cutting assembly comprising a first hollow punch having a dull distal surface with an interior diameter larger than the diameter of the bulb of a follicular unit, said second cutting assembly being coupled to said first cutting assembly and being operative to cut preferentially collagen fibril tissue which holds follicular units in place. 
   
   
       9 . Apparatus as in  claim 8  comprising means for controllably positioning said first hollow punch at a hair bearing skin surface in alignment with a target follicular unit. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus as in  claim 9  also comprising means for controllably advancing said first hollow punch into said hair bearing skin simultaneously rotating said first hollow punch. 
   
   
       11 . Apparatus as in  claim 10  wherein said second cutting assembly comprising means for providing a jet fluid stream at said dull distal surface. 
   
   
       12 . Apparatus as in  claim 11  wherein said means for providing a jet fluid stream comprises a channel in the wall of said hollow punch, said channel having an output at said distal surface, said channel being connected to a source of fluid, said apparatus also comprising a controller operative to apply pressure to said fluid source in a manner of generate a fluid jet. 
   
   
       13 . Apparatus as in  claim 12  wherein said fluid comprises saline. 
   
   
       14 . Apparatus as in  claim 13  wherein said controller is responsive to the rotation of said first hollow punch for applying pressure to said fluid source. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus as in  claim 9  comprising a third cutting assembly, said third cutting assembly comprising a second hollow punch coaxial with said first hollow punch, said second hollow punch having a sharp distal end, said apparatus comprising means for controllably advancing said second hollow punch in a manner to pierce the skin at the skin surface of a target follicular unit and then to withdraw said second hollow punch. 
   
   
       16 . Apparatus as in  claim 15  also comprising means for controllably advancing said first hollow punch into said scalp simultaneously rotating said first hollow punch responsive to the withdrawal of said second hollow punch. 
   
   
       17 . Apparatus as in  claim 10  wherein said second cutting assembly comprises a vibratory device attached to said first hollow punch and a controller for activating said vibratory device responsive to the advance of said first hollow punch. 
   
   
       18 . A method of extracting a follicular unit of hair from hair bearing skin, said method comprising the steps of aligning a first hollow punch with a dull distal end with a target follicular unit, preserving the skin at the said target follicular unit, advancing said hollow punch into the perforation, rotating said first hollow punch as it is advanced into the skin and providing water jet stream at said distal end in a manner to follow a circular path as said first hollow punch rotates. 
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein the step of perforating the skin comprises the steps of advancing a second hollow punch with a sharp distal end and withdrawing the second hollow punch.