Abstract: Apparatus for determining the status of hair bulk in an area of a scalp is operative to provide a metric over a sufficiently large area to permit revisiting with only negligible misalignment error. Accurate re-measurement of hair status in accurately identified areas produces a reliable metric for determining degree of hair loss and or the effectiveness of treatment.

Abstract: The stabilization of the dermal area around a follicular unit of hair for harvesting comprises the introduction of a small volume of fluid into the dermal area around a target follicular unit in order to stabilize the dermal area and initiate a limited time period during which the harvesting of the target follicular unit can occur.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the status of hair bulk in an area of a scalp is operative to provide a metric over a sufficiently large area to permit revisiting with only negligible misalignment error. Accurate re-measurement of hair status in accurately identified areas produces a reliable metric for determining degree of hair loss and or the effectiveness of treatment.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the status of hair bulk in an area of a scalp is operative to provide a metric over a sufficiently large area to permit revisiting with only negligible misalignment error. Accurate re-measurement of hair status in accurately identified areas produces a reliable metric for determining degree of hair loss and or the effectiveness of treatment.

Abstract: A hair transplant apparatus and a method for placing hair grafts into pre-made wounds capture a hair graft into a hair graft chamber readily aligned for implantation into the human scalp. The hair graft can be placed into the hair graft chamber manually or mechanically (e.g., by vacuum). A hair transplant apparatus includes a housing and a sliding rod within the housing. When the sliding rod is away from an open distal end of the housing in a first position, a hair graft can be placed into the spacing between an end of the rod and the open distal end of the housing. In a second position, the rod is advanced so the end of the rod becomes substantially flush with the distal end of the housing, thereby pushing the hair graft out of the housing and into the pre-made wound. Advantageously, the housing is aligned with the direction of the pre-made wound allowing the hair graft to slide easily into the pre-made wound without damage.

Abstract: The stabilization of the dermal area around a follicular unit of hair for harvesting comprises the introduction of a small volume of fluid into the dermal area around a target follicular unit in order to stabilize the dermal area and initiate a limited time period during which the harvesting of the target follicular unit can occur.

Abstract: A hair transplant apparatus and method capture a hair graft into a hair graft chamber readily aligned for implantation into the human scalp. The hair graft can be placed into the hair graft chamber manually or mechanically (e.g., by vacuum). A hair transplant apparatus includes a gas-permeable stopper for utilizing gas flow to load and/or implant a hair graft. Another hair transplant apparatus includes a gas-permeable rod inside a housing. Vacuum may be utilized to load a hair graft into the hair graft chamber. The rod may be advanced toward an open distal end of the chamber so the end of the rod becomes substantially flush with the distal end, thereby pushing the hair graft out of the chamber and into the pre-made wound. Advantageously, the chamber is aligned with the direction of the pre-made wound allowing the hair graft to slide easily into the pre-made wound without damage.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the status of hair bulk in an area of a scalp is operative to provide a metric over a sufficiently large area to permit revisiting with only negligible misalignment error. Accurate re-measurement of hair status in accurately identified areas produces a reliable metric for determining degree of hair loss and or the effectiveness of treatment.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus for implanting single hair grafts in implant sites in a skin is adapted to apply a tiny adhesive dot in a manner to secure the implanted graft to the skin surface. The quick hardening of the adhesive allows the placement of implants in closely spaced, neighboring sites without causing dislodgment of previously implanted grafts. Illustrative apparatus for providing such implants comprises a hollow needle with a coaxial solid rod in a fixed position. The needle is moved along its axis for implanting a graft and a channel in the rod is positioned to deliver the adhesive dot.

Abstract: The harvesting of hair for a hair transplant procedure employs a hollow drill with an imaging system which permits alignment of center of the cutting edge of a hollow tube with the axis of the follicular unit to be removed. The diameter of the hollow tube is chosen such that when properly aligned, a follicular unit is removed without damaging critical anatomical portions of the follicles. In one embodiment, a medium in either liquid or vapor form is introduced to cool or freeze the skin over the surface of the selected follicular unit. In another embodiment, suction is applied to aid in the removal of the excised follicular unit. In still another embodiment, a robotic arm is employed to position the hollow needle in each instance. In another embodiment, an electrical current or heat is applied to kill the shaft of the selected follicular unit without its removal.