Abstract: A punch is adapted to remove hair follicles. The punch includes a generally tubular body formed about a generally central axis and extending from a generally tubular body proximal end to a generally tubular body distal end. A generally frustoconical portion further includes a generally frustoconical portion proximal end and a generally frustoconical portion distal end. The generally frustoconical portion is formed about the generally central axis. The generally frustoconical portion distal end is joined to the generally tubular body proximal end. A cutting edge is connected to the generally frustoconical portion.

Abstract: An adapter assembly is configured to provide a fluid flow path for a rotary tool having a punch. The adapter assembly has a housing removably coupled to the rotary tool. the rotary tool has a lower end near a tip and an upper end away from the tip. A gasket is detachably arranged within the housing, around the punch and further comprising an upper seal portion and a lower seal portion. The upper seal portion has a smaller inner diameter than the lower seal portion. A fluid path is arranged through the housing, at least one hole in the gasket, and out of a lumen in the punch.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices that join a pair of edges. Previously, suture assemblies used holes perpendicular to a vertical plane. Embodiments of the present invention use a first pad tunnel (130) between a first pad lower plane opening (126) and a first pad upper plane opening (122). A first pad tunnel major axis (132) passes through a first pad upper plane opening center (124) and a first pad lower plane opening center (128). For reference a first pad orthogonal axis (134) passes through the first pad upper plane opening center (124) orthogonal to the first pad upper plane (118) and the first pad lower plane (120). A first pad angle (?1) is measured clockwise from the first pad orthogonal axis (134) to the first pad tunnel major axis (132). The first pad angle is at least five degrees but no more than 175 degrees.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices that join a pair of edges. Previously, suture assemblies used holes perpendicular to a vertical plane. Embodiments of the present invention use a first pad tunnel (130) between a first pad lower plane opening (126) and a first pad upper plane opening (122). A first pad tunnel major axis (132) passes through a first pad upper plane opening center (124) and a first pad lower plane opening center (128). For reference a first pad orthogonal axis (134) passes through the first pad upper plane opening center (124) orthogonal to the first pad upper plane (118) and the first pad lower plane (120). A first pad angle (?1) is measured clockwise from the first pad orthogonal axis (134) to the first pad tunnel major axis (132). The first pad angle is at least five degrees but no more than 175 degrees.

Abstract: A punch that is particularly useful for removing curled hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body disposed about a generally longitudinal axis between distal and proximal ends, and having a distal cutting end region terminating distally in an opposing pair of distally-extending, generally prong-like members having an anterior notch and a posterior notch therebetween. In one variation, the prong-like members each have a curved anterior cutting edge and a curved posterior edge meeting at a cutting tip. In the preferred embodiment, the posterior notch extends proximally further than the anterior notch and has a generally “V”-shaped distal segment which carries cutting edges together with a generally “U”-shaped proximal segment extending proximally from the distal segment.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices that join a pair of edges. Previously, suture assemblies used holes perpendicular to a vertical plane. Embodiments of the present invention use a first pad tunnel (130) between a first pad lower plane opening (126) and a first pad upper plane opening (122). A first pad tunnel major axis (132) passes through a first pad upper plane opening center (124) and a first pad lower plane opening center (128). For reference a first pad orthogonal axis (134) passes through the first pad upper plane opening center (124) orthogonal to the first pad upper plane (118) and the first pad lower plane (120). A first pad angle (?1) is measured clockwise from the first pad orthogonal axis (134) to the first pad tunnel major axis (132). The first pad angle is at least five degrees but no more than 175 degrees.

Abstract: A slit maker is configured to make a slit in skin to receive a hair follicle. The slit maker has a shaft, having a shaft central axis. A helix is mechanically coupled to the shaft. A tip is at an end of the helix. An edge is beveled onto the tip being collinear to an edge line. An edge angle is measured from the edge line to the shaft central axis. The edge angle is at least 10 degrees but no more than 60 degrees or least 130 degrees but no more than 170 degrees.

Abstract: A punch that is particularly useful for removing curled hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body disposed about a generally longitudinal axis between distal and proximal ends, and having a distal cutting end region terminating distally in an opposing pair of distally-extending, generally prong-like members having an anterior notch and a posterior notch therebetween. In one variation, the prong-like members each have a curved anterior cutting edge and a curved posterior edge meeting at a cutting tip. In the preferred embodiment, the posterior notch extends proximally further than the anterior notch and has a generally “V”-shaped distal segment which carries cutting edges together with a generally “U”-shaped proximal segment extending proximally from the distal segment.

Abstract: A punch that is particularly useful for removing curled hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body disposed about a generally longitudinal axis and having a distal cutting end region terminating distally in a plurality of distally-extending circumferentially disposed, generally prong-like members carrying distally diverging cutting edges and separated by follicle-accommodating slits. In practice, the punch is oriented during the extraction process at the donor site so that the curled hair root passes into, and is spared from the advancing cutting edge by, a slit as the punch is inserted into and penetrates the tissue. The punch may then rotated slightly so that the cutting edges cut most of the tissue surrounding the follicle without making damaging contact with the follicle.

Abstract: A punch that is particularly useful for removing curled hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body disposed about a generally longitudinal axis between distal and proximal ends, and having a distal cutting end region terminating distally in an opposing pair of distally-extending, generally prong-like members having an anterior notch and a posterior notch therebetween. In one variation, the prong-like members each have a curved anterior cutting edge and a curved posterior edge meeting at a cutting tip. In the preferred embodiment, the posterior notch extends proximally further than the anterior notch and has a generally “V”-shaped distal segment which carries cutting edges together with a generally “U”-shaped proximal segment extending proximally from the distal segment.

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.

Abstract: A punch that is particularly useful for removing curled hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body disposed about a generally longitudinal axis and having a distal cutting end region terminating distally in a plurality of distally-extending circumferentially disposed, generally prong-like members carrying distally diverging cutting edges and separated by follicle-accommodating slits. In practice, the punch is oriented during the extraction process at the donor site so that the curled hair root passes into, and is spared from the advancing cutting edge by, a slit as the punch is inserted into and penetrates the tissue. The punch may then rotated slightly so that the cutting edges cut most of the tissue surrounding the follicle without making damaging contact with the follicle.

Abstract: A follicle unit extraction system includes a generally tubular follicle punch having a distal cutting edge, and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the punch to impart rapid, incremental, distally-directed cutting force pulses to the punch during the cutting operation. The punch is being mounted at the forward end of a handpiece, and the ultrasonic transducer is resiliently mounted within the handpiece and releasably coupled to the punch for imparting ultrasonic vibration to the punch.

Abstract: A follicular unit extraction device comprises a handpiece for holding a follicle punch at its distal end which extends from the handpiece and terminates distally in a cutting edge. The punch is releasably coupled to a motor-driven drive shaft within the handpiece for rotation therewith. A portion of the driveshaft is tubular, and houses a piston that can move towards and away from the punch. An ejector pin is also supported within the tubular portion of the driveshaft distally of the ejector piston and is positioned to move towards the cutting edge of the punch when pushed by the piston. The handpiece and driveshaft have respective fluid inlet ports. The clearance between the piston and driveshaft interior, and the clearance between the ejector pin and punch interior, define a fluid path for conducting fluid entering the handpiece and drive shaft via inlet ports so that the fluid exits the punch at its cutting edge.

Abstract: A punch for removing hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body having a proximal end region terminating in a tissue-cutting edge, a distally-extending segment of reduced outer diameter—preferably a generally concave segment—terminating at its proximal end at or near the cutting edge and terminating at its distal end with a diameter substantially the same or greater than the diameter of the cutting edge. The punch further includes a follicle-receiving chamber defined by an inner wall extending distally from the proximal end of the punch. Preferably, at least a portion of the chamber lying within the external region of reduced diameter is generally converging in the distal direction.

Abstract: A follicle unit extraction device comprises a generally tubular body having a distal cutting end region, and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the punch to apply rapid, incremental, distally-directed cutting force pulses via the punch to the tissue at a donor site to thereby offer a more precisely controllable methodology for penetrating the tissue while the punch is positioned at the donor site. A generally tubular follicle punch having a distal cutting end region is brought into contact with the skin at the donor site. The punch is inserted distally into the skin in such a way that the follicle enters the punch's interior as the skin and underlying tissue circumscribing the follicle are cut, and ultrasonic, incremental, distally-directed cutting force pulses are applied to the tissue via the punch during the cutting process.

Abstract: A follicular unit extraction device comprises a handpiece for holding a follicle punch at its distal end which extends from the handpiece and terminates distally in a cutting edge. The punch is releasably coupled to a motor-driven drive shaft within the handpiece for rotation therewith. A portion of the driveshaft is tubular, and houses a piston that can move towards and away from the punch. An ejector pin is also supported within the tubular portion of the driveshaft distally of the ejector piston and is positioned to move towards the cutting edge of the punch when pushed by the piston. The handpiece and driveshaft have respective fluid inlet ports. The clearance between the piston and driveshaft interior, and the clearance between the ejector pin and punch interior, define a fluid path for conducting fluid entering the handpiece and drive shaft via inlet ports so that the fluid exits the punch at its cutting edge.

Abstract: A punch for removing hair follicles from a donor site comprises a generally tubular body having a proximal end region terminating in a tissue-cutting edge, a distally-extending segment of reduced outer diameter—preferably a generally concave segment—terminating at its proximal end at or near the cutting edge and terminating at its distal end with a diameter substantially the same or greater than the diameter of the cutting edge. The punch further includes a follicle-receiving chamber defined by an inner wall extending distally from the proximal end of the punch. Preferably, at least a portion of the chamber lying within the external region of reduced diameter is generally converging in the distal direction.