Abstract: Systems and methods for selecting follicular units in a distribution of follicular units are provided. A selection parameter, such as a distance-related parameter separating the follicular units to be selected, may be used to determine a desired quantity of follicular units to be selected, such as a desired percentage of follicular units to be selected, and to help provide a substantially uniform distribution of selected follicular units. In addition, a characteristic parameter, such as a characteristic distance or characteristic density, may be determined. The characteristic parameter may be used in determining the desired quantity of follicular units to be selected and or may be used for treatment purposes.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Some of the retention members are stationary and some are movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tools. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit, such as by including both cutting segments and blunt relief segments. A number of dual concentric tube embodiments permit a division of removal functions. Distal fluid or gas delivery may be used to help separating biological units from surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A hair removal system configured to destroy germinative cells at a base of at least one hair follicle is provided. The system comprises a casing and at least one pluck-head configured to trap at least one hair, and at least one oscillator mechanically coupled to the pluck-head and to the casing. The oscillator is configured to vibrate the pluck-head such that when the hair is trapped by the pluck-head, vibrations transmitted to the base are sufficient to destroy the germinative cells. A method of using the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: An epilation apparatus includes a support and a glass pad adhered to the support. The glass pad has an exposed roughened surface that, when placed against human skin and manually manipulated in a rotational motion, is adapted to remove hair from the human skin. A method of using the epilation apparatus involves configuring the support such that the roughened surface of the glass pad is placed against human skin that has hair and manually manipulating the support in a rotational motion such the glass pad removes the hair from the human skin.

Abstract: A dissecting punch and tool configured for the dissection of follicular units from the donor area of a patient, such as for subsequent implantation of a follicular unit graft (FUG) in a recipient area for hair restoration, and method for using the tool. The method includes aligning the dissecting punch over a follicular unit so that hair follicles are disposed within the lumen. The dissecting punch is then moved through the dermis layer and into the fatty tissue layer of the skin to dissect the follicular unit from the tissue surrounding the follicular unit. The dissecting punch includes a non-circular shaft segment to reduce the transection rate of the follicular units during dissection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting hair follicle from underneath an external surface of the skin are provided. The systems may include a first member and a counter pressure device. The first member may define a first bore and may have a longitudinal axis. A portion of the first member may be configured to be moved below an external surface of a skin. The first member may be configured to translate at least in a first direction along the longitudinal axis through a tissue and rotate about the longitudinal axis. The counter pressure device may be configured to interface with at least the external surface of the skin such that the tissue is disposed between the first member and the counter pressure device. The translation and rotation of the first member may result in cutting at least a portion of the tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting hair follicle from underneath an external surface of the skin are provided. The systems may include a first member, a first fluid pathway, an inlet port and an outlet port. A portion of the first member may be configured to be moved beneath an external surface of a skin and the first member may be configured to receive tissue extracted from underneath the external surface of the skin. The inlet port may be configured to receive fluid into the first fluid pathway. The outlet port may be configured to allow fluid to exit the first fluid pathway. The first fluid pathway may be configured to allow fluid entering the fluid pathway to enter the first member at least towards a distal end of the first member, and allow the fluid to exit the first member at least towards a proximal end of the first member.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided useful in various procedures, including hair harvesting and implantation, and further including computer-implemented and/or robotic hair transplantation. Methodologies are provided which enable a tool, such as a hair harvesting or a hair implantation tool, to proceed at least under a partial computer control in a selected direction of travel along a donor or recipient area of the patient, as well as changing direction of travel based on desired harvesting and/or implantation criteria.

Abstract: A device for tissue sampling and grafting has a handle (2), to whose end is fixed a coupling (4), a needle (6) fixed to the coupling. The device also includes a piston (3) connected to a pin (7). The piston and pin translate between an external condition (A), wherein a tip (73) of the in protrudes beyond the needle, and an internal condition (B), wherein the tip is retracted inside the needle. The device also includes a tip (5), having a truncated free end (51) that can be sharpened, constrained in a roto-translating way to the coupling, placed co-axially and externally to the needle and moved between a retracted condition (C) and an advanced condition.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Some of the retention members are stationary and some are movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tools. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit, such as by including both cutting segments and blunt relief segments. A number of dual concentric tube embodiments permit a division of removal functions. Distal fluid or gas delivery may be used to help separating biological units from surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for harvesting, storing, and implanting biological units, in particular hair follicular units (FUs). The system is particularly useful to facilitate hair transplant procedures. FUs are harvested from a body surface, either attached to a patient or in a strip of removed tissue, and shuttled into a cartridge having a plurality of receptacles. The receptacles are open in a distal direction toward a removal tool, but a cover over the proximal ends of the receptacles prevents the FUs from continuing out of the cartridge. The cover is made of a permissible medium, which may be fluid permeable and/or puncturable. One way to shuttle the FUs is to provide a pressure differential, such as by applying suction to the proximal end of a receptacle. The shuttle subsystem may be incorporated within an overall automated or robotic system, or the shuttle subsystem may form part of a semi-automated or even manual apparatus.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for removing follicular units from a body surface while improving retention of the follicular units in the removal tool. The removal tool is configured to accommodate a retention member. The retention member may comprise pivotally movable elements which retain the follicular unit in the removal tool. The described tools and methods are especially useful for harvesting follicular units from a body surface in a hair transplantation process.

Abstract: A needle system for penetrating to or passing thought an object or an organ comprising a semiconductor die, one or more needles, wherein the needles slide over the plane of the die, one or more actuators that move the needles relative to the die plane, and one or more actuator drivers controlled by a controller wherein the controller instruct the needle to penetrate into or to pass through and/or retract from the object or organ. The needle system is used for drug delivery or blood extraction or blood analysis or glucose measurements or blood measurements or nerve system stimulus treatment or hair removal or skin lesions removal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hybrid epilator device that comprises a razor blade having a sharp edge for cutting hairs, an epilation cylinder comprising at least a pair of clamping elements that during operation are actuated by an actuation system between an open position and a closed position so that hairs can feed into the gap between the pair of clamping elements in the open position and are gripped and plucked out from the skin surface when the pair of clamping elements is in the closed position, and a manually operable adjustment mechanism that has a least a first adjustment and a second adjustment such that in the first adjustment and the second adjustment the skin surface can be simultaneously contacted by the sharp edge of the razor blade and an circumferential area of the epilation cylinder. This allows switching between two different epilation efficiencies of the epilation cylinder.

Abstract: A depilation device operative to tweeze hairs from a narrow, selected area on a skin surface, continuously. Relatively short hairs may be tweezed. Additionally, relatively rapid and painless tweezing is provided. The depilation device is ergonomically designed for easy and effective hair tweezing.

Abstract: An epilator includes a housing, a drive mechanism, and an epilation head mounted on the housing. The epilation head includes a barrel rotatable about a longitudinal rotation axis of the barrel and operatively connected to the drive mechanism for driven rotation of the barrel about its rotation axis. The barrel has an outer surface spaced transversely from the barrel rotation axis. The barrel has a convex longitudinal contour across at least a portion of the barrel outer surface. The barrel further has a plurality of sets of tweezer plates accessible from the outer surface of the barrel. Each set includes a first tweezer plate and a second tweezer plate. At least one of the first and second tweezer plates is moveable relative to the other one of the first and second tweezer plates for contact with each other in response to rotation of the barrel.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with an attachment for an epilator or an epilator having an axle arranged for driven movement around a centre axle axis, an end plate arranged at a first end of the axle for rotation together with the axle, the end plate having at least a first functional surface, a first clamping element having a functional surface, the first functional surface of the end plate being arranged face-to-face with the functional surface of the first clamping element, and the first clamping element being arranged for repeatedly being moved towards and away from the end plate such that repeatedly a closed position is obtained in which the two functional surfaces abut on each other, wherein the end plate is an outer part of the epilator or the attachment for an epilator.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with an attachment for an epilator or an epilator having an axle arranged for driven movement around a centre axle axis, an end plate arranged at a first end of the axle for rotation together with the axle, the end plate having at least a first functional surface, a first clamping element having a functional surface, the first functional surface of the end plate being arranged face-to-face with the functional surface of the first clamping element, and the first clamping element being arranged for repeatedly being moved towards and away from the end plate such that repeatedly a closed position is obtained in which the two functional surfaces abut on each other, wherein the end plate is an outer part of the epilator or the attachment for an epilator.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with an attachment for an epilator or an epilator having an axle arranged for driven movement around a centre axle axis, an end plate arranged at a first end of the axle for rotation together with the axle, the end plate having at least a first functional surface, a first clamping element having a functional surface, the first functional surface of the end plate being arranged face-to-face with the functional surface of the first clamping element, and the first clamping element being arranged for repeatedly being moved towards and away from the end plate such that repeatedly a closed position is obtained in which the two functional surfaces abut on each other, wherein the end plate is an outer part of the epilator or the attachment for an epilator.

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: An apparatus for depilating body hair from the follicle comprised of two discrete finger grips. In one embodiment, the finger grips are made of a tacky, elastic and polymeric material. The finger grips are not connected to each other to allow more maneuverability for the user. The finger grips are fabricated together using a single mold.

Abstract: An apparatus for depilating body hair from the follicle comprised of two tethered finger grips. In one embodiment, the finger grips are made of a tacky, elastic and polymeric material. The finger grips are tethered together with a connecting member that can be made of the same material as the finger grips. The finger grips and connecting member are fabricated as one piece using a single mold.

Abstract: System and method are provided for determining hair tail positions. An image containing hair which is received from an image acquisition device is processed to find a coarse hair tail position. The coarse hair tail position is refined through further processing. The refined hair tail position may be used for accurate positioning, for example, of hair transplantation tools in various hair transplantation applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a treatment plan for cosmetic procedures, for example, a hair transplantation procedure, are provided. The treatment plan automatically modifies or generates one or more proposed harvesting or implantation sites within a first hair element based on one or more parameters in one or more second hair elements. Various techniques and methods described in the application provide for improved planning of a natural looking hair.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for performing a procedure on multiple adjacent segments of a body surface. The methods generally involve positioning a locator device on a body surface to delineate a first body surface segment. A first portion of the locator device may be moved while leaving a second portion of the locator device in place as a reference. The second portion of the locator may then be moved to reform the locator device and delineate a second segment of the body surface. Locator devices comprising two detachable portions are also described.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Some of the retention members are stationary and some are movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tools. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit, such as by including both cutting segments and blunt relief segments. A number of dual concentric tube embodiments permit a division of removal functions. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A device for removing unwanted hair includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The first end holds a depilatory product and has a cylindrical shape with a circular opening. A second end has a conical shape with a shaped opening. A plunger fits in the circular opening and mates with the cylindrical shape of the first end of the housing. The housing is made of a rigid polymer and is a microwave safe material. A method of removing unwanted hair includes the steps of heating a syringe containing a wax until the wax is in a liquid state. A tip of the syringe is placed next to an area of hair to be removed. The wax is applied to the area of hair. Then the wax is manually removed when in solid form or by applying fabric/paper strips.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting hair follicle from underneath an external surface of the skin are provided. The systems may include a first member and a counter pressure device. The first member may define a first bore and may have a longitudinal axis. A portion of the first member may be configured to be moved below an external surface of a skin. The first member may be configured to translate at least in a first direction along the longitudinal axis through a tissue and rotate about the longitudinal axis. The counter pressure device may be configured to interface with at least the external surface of the skin such that the tissue is disposed between the first member and the counter pressure device. The translation and rotation of the first member may result in cutting at least a portion of the tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to the removal of hair including the root, from the nostrils and the ear canals, as well as for some various facial hairs. It is a mechanical device using a tension coil spring attached to a plunger and housing assembly to extend the spring, thereby creating multiple openings between the individual coils of the spring so as to allow multiple hairs to enter the openings, after which the plunger is released and the coils of the spring retract, grabbing the hairs with adequate friction to pull them out. This device is operated by the thumb and two fingers and can remove any unwanted hair, particularly nose and ear hair, within a couple of minutes with almost no pain.

Abstract: An epilation device is proposed that has at least an epilation element having a skin side intended for contacting the skin in an operation state of the epilation device, the epilation element having at least two adjoining clamping elements that are arranged on a base structure and that each have a clamping surface so that the clamping surfaces lie opposite to each other, a support in which the epilation element is mounted, and an actuation arrangement that during operation of the epilation device repeatedly actuates the epilation element between a first bending state in which the base structure has a first curvature and a second bending state in which the base structure has a second curvature different to the first curvature, wherein the clamping surfaces the clamping elements are separated by a gap at the skin side in the first bending stage and are in clamping contact in the second bending stage.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which provide for harvesting hair follicular units, including severing any remaining connective tissue strands during the harvesting process, so that the harvested follicular units are retained in the harvesting tool without being damaged. The devices and methods of the present invention are especially useful with the partially or substantially automated systems and methods for hair harvesting and transplantation. The follicular unit harvesting tools may comprise a harvesting cannula and a grasping device. The harvesting tools may also comprise a retention member or a grasping member.

Abstract: Tools and methods of use for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool are disclosed. The tool incorporates a retention member configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. The retention member is radially movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tool. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit.

Abstract: A method of removing at least one hair from a mammal comprising the steps of associating electromagnetic responsive species to the root of at least one hair and exposing the electromagnetic responsive species to an oscillating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with an attachment for an epilator or an epilator having at least a clamping unit for clamping and plucking hairs. The clamping unit is arranged for driven movement relative to a housing of the attachment or the epilator along a hair capture direction. The clamping unit has a moveable clamping element having a clamping surface and a hair guiding surface and a fixed clamping element having a clamping surface and a hair guiding surface, wherein the moveable clamping element and the fixed clamping element are arranged to be cyclically moveable between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: An attachment for an epilator or an epilator having at least a clamping unit for clamping and plucking hairs that is arranged for driven movement relative to a housing along a hair capture direction is disclosed. The clamping unit has a moveable clamping element having a clamping surface and a hair guiding surface and a fixed clamping element having a clamping surface and a hair guiding surfaced. The moveable clamping element and the fixed clamping element are arranged to be cyclically moveable between an open position in which the two clamping surfaces have a minimal distance such that a gap for receiving hairs is formed between them and a closed position in which the two clamping surfaces abut on each other. The two hair guiding surfaces form a funnel in front of the gap in the open position with respect to the hair capture direction.

Abstract: An attachment for an epilator or an epilator having at least a clamping unit for clamping and plucking hairs that is arranged for driven movement relative to a housing of the attachment or the epilator along a hair capture direction is disclosed. The clamping unit has a first clamping element having a clamping surface and a hair guiding surface and a second clamping element having a clamping surface and a hair guiding surface. The first clamping element and the second clamping element are arranged to be cyclically first between an open position in which the two clamping surfaces have a minimal distance such that a gap for receiving hairs is formed between them and a closed position in which the two clamping surfaces abut on each other. The two hair guiding surfaces form a funnel in front of the gap in the open position with respect to the hair capture direction.

Abstract: Tools and methods of use for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool are disclosed. The tool incorporates a retention member configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. The retention member is radially movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tool. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which provide for harvesting hair follicular units, including severing any remaining connective tissue strands during the harvesting process, so that the harvested follicular units are retained in the harvesting tool without being damaged. The devices and methods of the present invention are especially useful with the partially or substantially automated systems and methods for hair harvesting and transplantation. The follicular unit harvesting tools may comprise a harvesting cannula and a grasping device moveable relative to each other.

Abstract: An automated system for harvesting or implanting follicular units, including a moveable arm; a harvesting and/or implantation tool mounted on the moveable arm; one or more cameras mounted on the moveable arm; a processor configured to receive and process images acquired by the one or more cameras; and a controller operatively associated with the processor and configured to position the moveable arm based, at least in part, on processed images acquired by the one or more cameras, wherein the moveable arm is positionable such that the tool may be positioned at a desired orientation relative to an adjacent body surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a non-invasive electric hair-taking apparatus comprising a shell (2) and a cover (3) connected with each other by a latch (13) to form a handle (14); a step (15) being arranged at the front end of the handle (14). Said shell (2) is comprised of a front chamber, a middle chamber and a rear chamber; a motor (4) being mounted in the front chamber, a switch (6) being mounted on the wall of the middle chamber, a battery (5) being mounted in the rear chamber. Said motor (4), switch (6) and battery (5) forming a circuit by wiring (8). A hair-taking knife (1) is mounted at the front end of a connector (10) that is mounted on the shaft of the motor (4). Said connector (10) being fixedly positioned at the front end of the handle (14) via a locating ring (11) which is engaged with the step (15).

Abstract: An electric hair removal apparatus for removing hair from the human skin. The hair removal apparatus includes a housing adapted to be held in the hand, a mechanically working hair removal device and a motor for driving the hair removal device. Provision is made for a sensor device for generating a signal that depends on the speed at which the hair removal device is moved over the skin during the hair removal.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a hybrid hair removal device that comprises an electrical hair removal device having a body that is intended for being gripped by a user's hand and a head that is intended for contact with a user's skin during regular operation, and an attachment that comprises a handle structure that detachably envelopes at least a part of the outer surface of the body and a skin treatment unit mounted at the handle structure. Such a hybrid hair removal device allows easily detaching the attachment from the hair removal device. The invention is also concerned with such an attachment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hair removal device (1) having a hair removal unit (30) and a skin cooling unit (10), wherein the skin cooling unit (10) has a skin contact surface (11), and the skin cooling unit (10) is equipped to apply an application substance (80) onto the skin by way of the skin contact surface (11) during use of the hair removal device. In addition to the cooling of the skin by means of contact cooling, a further cooling effect may also be achieved in such a hair removal device in that an application substance is applied, which contributes to the cooling of the skin, for example, by means of evaporation. The hair removal device may comprise a removable attachment, which also comprises at least the skin.

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 device for removing hair is disclosed. The device comprises a container, filled with an impedance matching medium, and an ultrasound transducer element coupled to the container, such that ultrasound waves are generated by the transducer element in the impedance matching medium. The device further comprises a hair receiving element having at least one opening for receiving hair shafts, wherein a height of the opening is approximately an integer multiplication of half a wavelength of the ultrasound waves.

Abstract: A functional head is disclosed which may be generally employed in a device for industrial or private use, particularly in a device for beauty care, such as an epilator device. The functional head has at least one first element which has a frictional surface, and at least one second element which is movable over the frictional surface when mechanical friction is overcome. A lubricating device is provided by which a lubricant may be applied to the frictional surface. The lubricant is accommodated in a lubricant reservoir, and the lubricant is transported to the frictional surface by means of at least one outlet opening. An increase of mechanical friction by the movement of the at least one second element over the frictional surface leads to heating of at least parts of the lubricant reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hair-removing device with a movable actuator head and/or at least one movable actuator support, which have at least one actuator element for removing hair on a skin surface. The particular feature of the invention is that a detecting device for detecting a parameter which relates to the position of the actuator element relative to the skin surface is provided as well as at least one actively actuated positioning device for modifying the position of the actuator head and/or the actuator support and a control device for activating the positioning device according to the detected parameter.

Abstract: Hair removing device (200) comprising a base member (301) having two elongate arms (302) extending outwardly while maintaining a spacing (310) in between. Two elongate flexible elements (311) form a twined section (304) between their first and second ends (303), (305) that are secured to the two arms (302). The twined section (304) is positioned in the spacing (310), under a tension. A movable member (306) extends outwardly from the base member (301) and is movable relative to the base member (301) in forward and reverse strokes. The movable member (306) urges the twined section (304) to move forward during the forward stroke and releases the twined section (304) to resiliently retract during the reverse stroke. The twined section (304) can engage and uproot hair (314) during the forward stroke.

Abstract: A disc for an epilating apparatus disc assembly includes at least one clamping portion intended to interact with a further clamping portion of a neighboring disc when the disc and the epilating apparatus are arranged as the epilating apparatus-disc assembly, with a radially outward region of the clamping portion. The radially outward region and a radially inward region are harder than a radially intermediate region of the clamping portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing hair from the surface of skin may include two elongate elements entwined with one another whereby a local mutual twist is formed along the length of the elements. Each of the elements may be held in place and put into tension by a respective one of two structural members. A method for removing hair may include moving the two structural members with the elements in tension, bringing the bottom end of one member closer to the bottom end of the second member such that the coil travels toward the bottom ends of the elements, and then bringing the top end of one member closer to the top end of the second member, such that the coil travels toward the top ends of the elements. As the coil travels between the top and bottom ends of the elements, it extracts hairs from the skin.