Follicular Unit Extraction System

Abstract

A follicular unit extraction system includes a handpiece body extending along a generally central axis for holding a generally tubular follicle punch having a cutting edge. A fluid path is carried by the handpiece for conducting a liquid from a source external to the handpiece into the lumen of a generally tubular follicle punch held by the handpiece for delivery of the fluid to the cutting edge of the follicle punch. A flow-rate controller for conducting the liquid from the external source to the handpiece in such a way as to maintain a drip of the liquid adjacent the cutting edge sufficient to create and substantially sustain a lubricating liquid film around the follicle during cutting and follicle extraction, and for selectively increasing the liquid pressure sufficiently to discharge tissue within the lumen from the punch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A follicular unit extraction system comprising:
 a handpiece body extending along a generally central axis for holding a generally tubular follicle punch having a cutting edge;   a motor-driven driveshaft mounted within the handpiece body for rotation about the axis for rotating the follicular punch when said punch is held by the handpiece;   a fluid path carried by the handpiece for conducting a liquid from a source external to the handpiece into the lumen of a generally tubular follicle punch held by the handpiece for delivery of the fluid to the cutting edge of the follicle punch; and   a flow-rate controller for conducting the liquid from the external source to the handpiece in such a way as to maintain a drip of the liquid adjacent the cutting edge sufficient to create and substantially sustain a lubricating liquid film around the follicle during cutting and follicle extraction, and for selectively increasing the liquid pressure sufficiently to discharge tissue within the lumen from the punch.   
     
     
         2 . The follicular unit extraction system of  claim 1  wherein the flow-rate controller provides an adjustable drip rate that is manually adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . The follicular unit extraction system of  claim 1  wherein the flow-rate controller is automatically adjustable by digital or analog control. 
     
     
         4 . The follicular unit extraction system of  claim 1  wherein the flow-rate controller is responsive to at least one of a wired and wireless communication signal to control flow rate. 
     
     
         5 . The follicular unit extraction system of  claim 1  wherein the flow-rate controller provides one or more liquid pulses of predetermined length to the lumen of the punch to discharge the tissue within the lumen from the punch. 
     
     
         6 . The follicular unit extraction system of  claim 1  wherein the flow-rate controller provides one or more liquid pulses of user-determined length to the lumen of the punch to discharge the tissue within the lumen from the punch. 
     
     
         7 . The follicular extraction system of  claim 1  including a pump fluidically coupled with and between the external source of liquid and the handpiece, and selectively activated by a user to increase the liquid pressure sufficiently to discharge the tissue within the lumen from the punch.