Abstract: A method and device for the extraction of follicular units from a donor area on a patient. The method includes scoring the outer skin layers with a sharp punch, and then inserting a blunt punch into the incision to separate the hair follicle from the surrounding tissue and fatty layer. The method and device will significantly decrease the amount of follicular transection and increase the rate at which follicular units can be extracted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-driven epilation head for an epilation device for plucking hairs of the human skin. Specifically, the invention relates to an epilation head having a rotation cylinder that can be rotated about a rotation axis and comprises a plurality of plucking units for capturing and plucking the hairs. Each plucking unit comprises a first clamping element, a second clamping element and a third clamping element, wherein the first clamping element together with the second clamping element forms a first closeable plucking gap and the second clamping element together with the third clamping element forms a second closeable plucking gap. The first and the second clamping element are movably mounted and can be jointly actuated by means of an actuation element in order to close the first and the second plucking gap. The first and the second clamping element move in the same direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an epilation head for an epilation device, in particular for plucking hair from human skin having a rotating cylinder rotating around a rotational axis having a number of plucking units for grasping and plucking out hair, wherein each plucking unit comprises a movable clamping unit, a stationary clamping unit, wherein the movable clamping unit and the stationary clamping unit form a closable plucking gap, characterized in that the movable clamping unit has a hair guiding device which is associated with the movable clamping unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an epilation head for an epilation device, in particular for plucking hair from human skin having a rotating cylinder and rotating around a rotational axis, the rotating cylinder having a number of plucking units for grasping and plucking out hair and having a skin oriented surface, wherein each plucking unit comprises a movable clamping unit, a stationary clamping unit, wherein the movable clamping unit and the stationary clamping unit form a closable plucking gap and characterized in that the movable clamping units have a skin contacting surface and the total area of the skin contacting surfaces of the movable clamping units is greater than 5% of the area of the skin oriented surface.

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 convertible chair, for example, a hair transplantation chair that permits movement of the patient during a procedure while the patient's head remains substantially stationary. The chair may include a head support and a plurality of body supports that may be mounted on a base, or on a cradle movably attached to the base. The chair can be configured for a follicular unit harvesting procedure and it could be also converted into a hair implantation configuration for hair implantation procedure. The patient remains in the chair during the procedure with his head substantially stationary, while various parts of his body may be repositioned, for example, by rotation of the cradle. The chair may be automated, or assisted with pneumatics, motors, foot pumps and the like. The chair is particularly useful for assisting robotic hair transplantation procedures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus disclosed herein may incise into a patient's skin to a precise depth and at a specific angle with respect to a surface of the patient's to extract individual follicular groups or individual follicular units. An apparatus as disclosed herein may precisely limit a depth of an incision, and perform a circular incision around a hair, follicular unit, or follicular cluster without damaging any hair shafts.

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.

Abstract: A disposable, sterilized surgical clipper includes a body having a top portion and a bottom portion and a clipper head attached to the top portion of the body. The clipper head includes a housing and a blade assembly. A power source is housed within the body for operating the clipper. The clipper head and the body may be a single, integrated unit or the clipper head may be removable from the body. In either embodiment, the body, clipper head and power source are sterilized as a single unit so as to be used in a sterile setting.

Abstract: A hair removal apparatus and method is presented. The hair removal apparatus can have a pair of tension units and at least one hair removal line. In one aspect, each of the tension units can have a first arm and a second arm that is moveable in relation to the first arm such that the distance between the distal ends of the two arms can be changed with respect to one another. In one aspect of the hair removal method, the line is configured to form an “X,” with the center of the “X” being the twist point. The hair is removed by moving the twist point past the target hair, catching the target hair in a portion of the twist point, removing it from the skin.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tool is of a concentric tube configuration comprising first and second elongated bodies, in which the second elongated body can be retracted into the first elongated body. The tool 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. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Provided herein is an instrument and method useful to incise in to the skin to a precise depth and at a specific angle with respect to the surface of the skin of a patient, for the extraction of individual follicular groups or individual follicular units. An instrument according to the invention precisely limits the depth of incision, and creates a circular incision around a hair, follicular unit, or follicular cluster in a manner such that no damage occurs to any of the hair shafts.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical blade and a hair cutting device, adapted for cutting a hair near skin of a human body part or animal body part. The optical blade (1), especially for use in a hair cutting device, comprises a blade body (3) adapted for guiding optical radiation, and a tapered end (2) adapted for allowing the optical radiation to exit the optical blade (1), wherein the tapered end (2) comprises a reflector adapted for redirecting the optical radiation before it exits the optical blade. In this way the balance of closeness vs. irritation is improved beyond the capabilities of conventional shaving systems and an optical blade is provided which is insensitive to the type of shaving additive used, while the manufacturing of the optical blade is made easier and costs are reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining the need to change and/or changing orientation of a tool relative to an object on a body in at least partially automated procedure. Also, systems and methods are provided for orienting a hair harvesting tool relative to a follicular unit to be harvested. Further, systems and methods of implanting follicular units are provided, which are based on the orientation of the existing follicular units or based on pre-determined insertion angle. The provided systems and methods use image processing and image-generated topological skin models. In some embodiments surface fit is performed using, for example, a planar fit, quadric fit, cubic fit, mesh fit and parametric fit.

Abstract: A device for providing stimulation to the skin and treatment of subcutaneous tissue and methods for using the same. The skin stimulation device comprises a handle affixed to a U-shaped housing having side walls, a cylindrical member inserted into the housing and being rotatable relative to the side walls, a plurality of pins extending in rows outward and a rotatable cover affixed over the housing having slits for the needles such that the rotation of the cover varies the length of the needles extending through the slits. The skin stimulation device can be used to apply therapeutic agents to or below a human skin surface. The rotating cover allows for therapeutic agents to be delivered at a precise depth specified by the user.

Abstract: A spatula for depilatory use comprises a generally S-section flexible plastics body 4, a straight elastomeric fin 10 at one end, and at the other end, an elastomeric fin of “fish-tail” shape. The straight fin can remove a depilatory preparation from most areas of the skin, and the other fin is able to remove the preparation from less accessible areas. The elastomeric fins give effective hair removal while avoiding the deleterious effects of earlier scrapers.

Abstract: A hair removal apparatus including a first element having a first coupling point and a second coupling point, a second element having a third coupling point and a fourth coupling point, and at least one thread. The first element is configured to allow the first and second coupling points to move relative to each other. The thread includes a first point coupled to the first coupling point, a second point coupled to the second coupling point, a third point coupled to the third coupling point, a fourth point coupled to the fourth coupling point, and a twisted portion.

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: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tool is of a concentric tube configuration comprising first and second elongated bodies, in which the second elongated body can be retracted into the first elongated body. The tool 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. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for harvesting hair grafts from a body surface utilizing a removal tool comprising first and second elongated bodies. The described systems and methods serve to eliminate and/or at least minimize unnecessary compression of adjacent tissue during the removal process, thereby minimizing damage to the follicular unit being removed, reducing the opportunities for the follicular unit to intersect the path of the harvesting tool, and/or improving the quality of the removed specimen, preferably preserving its integrity.

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 hair removal device includes a housing, an inner disc rotatably mounted to the housing and an outer disc rotatably mounted to the housing. The outer disc includes a body and a peripheral surface. The axial dimension of the peripheral surface is greater than an axial dimension of the body.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an epilator apparatus for the removal of hair. The epilator apparatus comprises a tape, which adheres to the hairs as the apparatus is moved relative to the skin. The motion of the apparatus relative to the skin feeds the tape into the plucking zone where the tape with the hairs adhered thereto is redirected perpendicular to the skin. This redirection results in the hairs being plucked from the skin as the epilator apparatus is advanced.

Abstract: A system for planning transplantation of follicular units in a body surface of a patient includes a user interface comprising a software-controlled processor, a monitor, and an input device, wherein the system is configured for acquiring images of the body surface, processing the images to produce a three-dimensional model of the body surface, displaying a graphic rendering of the body surface model on the monitor, and displaying on the body surface model a proposed recipient area for implanting follicular units based at least in part on an actual or desired physical characteristic of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a body grooming device such as a hair removal device or a massaging device that comprises a drive, an application material supply for supplying an application material at an application material supply outlet, and an atomizer unit for atomizing the application material, which atomizer unit comprises a brush-like element having at least a bristle-like protrusion, said brush-like element being coupled to the drive so that the brush-like element is driven during an operation mode of the body grooming device such that the bristle-like protrusion repeatedly contacts the application material supply outlet of the application material supply. The special atomizer unit arrangement is simple, can be made in a cost efficient manner and is also effectively atomizing an application material, e.g. water, soap, lotion, gel etc.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a body grooming device that comprises a head section that comprises a drivable body grooming unit, a hand piece section that comprises a drive, and an attachment section detachably arranged between the head section and the hand piece section. The attachment section comprises a power transmission unit arranged for transmitting power from the hand piece section to the head section in an operation mode of the body grooming device.

Abstract: A depilatory article comprising a substrate and a depilatory composition comprising a keratin reducing agent and being in physical contact with the substrate, preferably forming a coated or impregnated region of the substrate wherein at least a portion of the substrate is transparent.

Abstract: A method in one example embodiment includes providing first and second devices, each of which includes an actuating body coupled to a pair of bifurcated arms with distal tips. The method also includes moving at least one of the devices to create tension in a filament secured to each of the distal tips and then forming a twist in the filament between the distal tips of the first device and the distal tips of the second device. The method further includes placing a first portion of the filament around hairs to be removed from a body. An opening force is applied to the actuating body of the second device to move the bifurcated arms from a first position to a second position having a widened distance between the distal tips, such that the twist travels along the filament toward the first device catching and removing hairs from the body.

Abstract: Device and method for harvesting and implanting hair follicular units is provided. A combined harvesting and implanting tool or tool assembly provides a harvesting cannula portion detachably coupled to an implanting cannula portion. The harvesting and implanting cannula portions may be coupled by a connector that could be designed to allow for multiple uses of the tool assembly, or alternatively may be designed for single use and rendered non-functional when the implanting cannula portion of the tool is separated from the harvesting cannula portion of the tool.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an epilation device that comprises a first clamping element having a first clamping surface, a second clamping element having a second clamping surface, the first clamping element and the second clamping element being arranged to be movable between an open position in which a hair or hairs can enter into a gap between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface and a first closed position, and at least a spacer for defining a distance between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface in the first closed position. Such an epilation device is specifically suited for plucking out terminal hairs while vellus hair, specifically present on facial skin areas, is plucked out due to its lower thickness that relates to the distance.

Abstract: A hair removal apparatus and method is presented. The hair removal apparatus can have a pair of tension units and at least one hair removal line. In one aspect, each of the tension units can have a first arm and a second arm that is moveable in relation to the first arm such that the distance between the distal ends of the two arms can be changed with respect to one another. In one aspect of the hair removal method, the line is configured to form an “X,” with the center of the “X” being the twist point. The hair is removed by moving the twist point past the target hair, catching the target hair in a portion of the twist point, removing it from the skin.

Abstract: A hair removal apparatus and method is presented. The hair removal apparatus can have a pair of tension units and at least one hair removal line. In one aspect, each of the tension units can have a first arm and a second arm that is moveable in relation to the first arm such that the distance between the distal ends of the two arms can be changed with respect to one another. In one aspect of the hair removal method, the line is configured to form an “X,” with the center of the “X” being the twist point. The hair is removed by moving the twist point past the target hair, catching the target hair in a portion of the twist point, removing it from the skin.

Abstract: Device and method for harvesting and implanting hair follicular units is provided. A combined harvesting and implanting tool or tool assembly provides a harvesting cannula portion detachably coupled to an implanting cannula portion. The harvesting and implanting cannula portions may be coupled by a connector that could be designed to allow for multiple uses of the tool assembly, or alternatively may be designed for single use and rendered non-functional when the implanting cannula portion of the tool is separated from the harvesting cannula portion of the tool.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tool is of a concentric tube configuration comprising first and second elongated bodies, in which the second elongated body can be retracted into the first elongated body. The tool 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. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue.

Abstract: An epilating apparatus includes a compartment for receiving a cooling/heating pad. The cooling/heating pad includes a bag portion containing a cooling/heating medium and a fixing portion for removably fixing the cooling/heating pad to the epilating apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an epilator that comprises a housing, an epilation cylinder mounted at a head region of the housing for plucking hairs from the skin during operation, and an attachment detachably connected with the housing, which attachment comprises at least a shaving blade defining a use direction along which the shaving blade is to be drawn over the skin to shave off hairs. In the attached state the shaving blade is disposed behind the epilation cylinder with respect to the use direction so that during operation the epilation cylinder plucks hairs from the skin and the shaving blade contacts the skin to shave off hairs from the skin in successive order during a single stroke of the epilator over a skin area, wherein the attachment is connected with the housing in the head region such that the epilation cylinder is partially covered by the attachment and a non-covered part of the epilation cylinder extends into an aperture of the attachment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for orienting a hair harvesting tool relative to a follicular unit to be harvested. Further, systems and methods of implanting follicular units are provided, which are based on the orientation of the existing follicular units or based on pre-determined insertion angle. The provided systems and methods use image processing and image-generated topological skill models. In some embodiments surface fit is performed using, for example, a planar fit, quadric fit, cubic fit, mesh fit and parametric fit.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, method and apparatus for hair removal. The hair removal system utilizing a reusable non-strip based member for applying, spreading and/or removing a hair removal compound. According to one aspect, a practitioner applies a sugar based natural wax to a target hair removal area, such that the sugar based natural wax can be warmed on contact with the users skin to bond with the hair to be removed and then quickly removed from the skin to remove not only the hair removal compound, but also hair which has bonded thereto. Implementations of the invention also include a reusable flexible member adapted to scoop, apply and/or remove the volume of hair removal compound with respect to a target hair removal area.

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: Techniques for implementing an epilation device are described, including a body including a first half and a second half, the first half having a first arm and the second half comprises a second arm, an axle having a third arm disposed at an end of the axle and a fourth arm disposed at another end of the axle, the axle being coupled to a first set of teeth, and a trigger coupled to a spring, the trigger being substantially housed within the body and being partially exposed through an aperture in the body, the trigger further including a second set of teeth configured to engage the first set of teeth.

Abstract: A method of removing hair from skin, preferably facial skin, is provided, comprising the steps of: (a) applying a hydrophobic protective composition to an area of skin, preferably facial skin, on which unwanted hair is growing, the hydrophobic protective composition comprising 20% or more, preferably 50% or more and more preferably from 75% to 99% of at least one triglyceride by weight of the hydrophobic protective composition, the or each triglyceride having the following formula: wherein R, R? and R? may be the same as or different from one or both of the others, wherein each of R, R? and R? is a fatty acid and wherein the or each triglyceride is solid at 25° C. (b) applying a depilatory composition to the area of skin to which the hydrophobic protective composition has been applied, the depilatory composition comprising a keratin reducing agent.

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 device for applying vibrations to hair rooted in a body, includes: a pair of tongs having hair-gripping ends capable of being driven into high-frequency vibrations with respect to each other; and a transducer coupled to at least one of the tongs for converting an AC voltage to mechanical vibrations for driving the hair-gripping end into vibrations with respect to generate sufficient heat within the body to facilitate removal of the unwanted hair. The transducer is preferably a piezoelectric element which vibrates the hair at a frequency of 100-500 KHz, preferably 100-350 KHz, and produces a displacement of 5-20 microns.

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: A method of removing unwanted hair from the surface of the body comprising the steps of providing a depilatory article comprising a flexible substrate at least partially coated with a depilatory composition, the coating of depilatory composition forming a coated region of the depilatory article; tensioning the coated region of the depilatory article; applying the depilatory article to the surface of the body such that the coated region is applied under tension to the unwanted hair; and removing the depilatory article from the surface of the body.

Abstract: A depilatory article comprising a flexible substrate partially coated with a depilatory composition, the coating of depilatory composition forming a coated region of the depilatory article, wherein the depilatory article comprises at least two finger-tabs being substantially free of depilatory composition and positioned on substantially opposing sides of the coated region, and wherein the flexible substrate has a secant modulus at 2% strain of greater than 689.5 bar (10,000 psi), more preferably greater than 1379.0 bar (20,000 psi), even more preferably greater than 2068.4 bar (30,000 psi) and even more preferably still greater than 2757.9 bar (40,000 psi).

Abstract: A depilatory article, preferably a facial depilatory article, comprising a substrate which is at least partially coated with a depilatory composition, preferably a depilatory composition, the coating of depilatory composition forming a coated region of the depilatory article, wherein the coated region comprises an upper-lip portion adapted to be placed above a human mouth, and wherein the coated region comprises a first return portion projecting from the upper lip portion and adapted to be placed contiguously with the outer extremity of the vermilion lip in a first corner of the mouth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for extracting a biosubstance from a root of a hair, including the step of using as the hair a hair that has pulling force of at least a predetermined reference value to pull out the hair.

Abstract: A device and method for applying tension to an area of skin, in particular for follicular unit removal and/or implantation in a hair transplantation procedure, is provided. The tensioning device comprises at least one body surface grabber capable of engaging the body surface, and the tensioning device is configured to be able to create tension on a body or skin surface by simply displacing the tensioning device as a whole in one general direction. The tensioning device may be secured, for example, to a patient chair.

Abstract: A depilatory composition which is an emulsion of hydrophobic particles in a continuous aqueous phase wherein the aqueous phase—includes at least one depilatory agent and the hydrophobic particles includes a vinyl polymer derivative and a polysaccharide.