Abstract: A method for passing a suture through tissue includes positioning a suture passer in a surgical cavity, the suture passer comprising a tube defined by a wall and a suture retainer received in the tube and configured to extend at least partially out of the tube; retaining a suture between a retaining surface of a cutaway in the tube and a proximally facing portion of a distal portion of the suture retainer such that the suture is retained against the retaining surface of the cutaway by the proximally facing portion of the distal portion of the suture retainer, wherein a distal end of the suture retainer is distal to the retaining surface of the cutaway and proximal to the distal end of the tube when the suture is retained against the retaining surface of the cutaway; and passing the suture passer with the retained suture through the tissue.

Abstract: A method for passing a suture through tissue includes extending a distal end of a suture retainer of a suture passer from a distal portion of a tube of the suture passer; locating a suture adjacent the suture retainer; retracting the suture retainer partially into the tube and retaining a suture between a retaining portion of the suture retainer and a first portion of a cutaway in a side of a wall defining the tube, wherein the first portion of the cutaway curves around a longitudinal axis of the distal portion of the tube and two longitudinally extending portions of the cutaway extend distally from the first portion to a distal end of the tube; and passing the distal portion of the suture passer with the retained suture through tissue.

Abstract: A human hair implant procedure involves inserting a length of barbed surgical thread through a cannula so that a first portion including a distal end of the barbed surgical thread is near a distal end of the cannula and a second portion is outside the proximal end of the cannula, then inserting the distal end of the cannula through an entry point of the skin of the human and advancing the cannula under the skin until the proximal end of the cannula is near the entry point of the skin. Then, removing the cannula from under the skin, leaving in position under the skin the first portion of barbed surgical thread which secures a hold to tissue under the skin, and finally, attaching hair to the second portion of barbed surgical thread.

Abstract: A human hair implant procedure involves inserting a length of barbed surgical thread through a cannula so that a first portion including a distal end of the barbed surgical thread is near a distal end of the cannula and a second portion is outside the proximal end of the cannula, then inserting the distal end of the cannula through an entry point of the skin of the human and advancing the cannula under the skin until the proximal end of the cannula is near the entry point of the skin. Then, removing the cannula from under the skin, leaving in position under the skin the first portion of barbed surgical thread which secures a hold to tissue under the skin, and finally, attaching hair to the second portion of barbed surgical thread.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to wound closure devices comprising one or more microstructures are described herein. In some embodiments, the wound closure devices include a backing and a microstructure array. The microstructure array may include a first portion, a second portion, and a bridge portion. The first portion and the second portion each include one or more microstructures configured to penetrate tissue. Additionally, the first portion and the second portion each include one or more expandable portions such that the wound closure device is configured to expand in length. The wound closure device is configured to grip tissue surrounding a wound to either close the wound or secure the tissue in place.

Abstract: In a method of creating a modified tissue graft, at least one exterior surface of a graft is modified by compressing, cutting and/or removing one or more portions thereof, such as to create designed surface features which cause the tissue graft to have characteristics for a specific anatomical area. The modified tissue graft may include a medicated graft, such as by associating medicants with the surface features, or by associating a second graft or layer with a modified base tissue graft layer, where medicants are associated with the second graft or layer. The tissue graft may be modified by pressing a specially configured template or die, such as having blades thereon, into the tissue graft, such as to create a pattern of partial depth cuts.

Abstract: There is provided a method for operating a personal care device. The method comprises obtaining, using an imaging device, image data relating to a portion of a body of a user; measuring, using the image data, a parameter relating to at least one hair growing from the portion of the body; and determining a position of the portion of the body on the body based on the measured parameter and a predetermined relation between the parameter and the position on the body. A personal care device, a personal care system and a machine-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Device and method for implantation of hair grafts into the scalp of a patient. In the device, a cross-sectional shape of a rod riding in an implantation needle is configured with respect to the needle to communicate a vacuum in a chamber anterior to the needle forward to an interior of the needle, thereby facilitating loading of the hair graft into the device by direct-to-needle aspiration of the hair graft.

Abstract: A soft tissue repair device. The device includes an inserter having a distal portion, a first anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, a second anchor carried externally onto the distal portion, and a flexible strand coupling the first and second anchors and forming an adjustable knotless loop.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically separating hair follicles includes a follicle separating unit configured to cut a skin tissue of a scalp cut from a back of a head of an alopecic patient in units of follicles and to classify follicles by a number of hairs included in each follicle in an incisional hair transplant or to classify follicles each directly extracted from the back of the head of the alopecic patient by the number of hairs included in each follicle in a non-incisional hair transplant, and a follicle separation control unit configured to control an operation of the follicle separating unit.

Abstract: A hair follicle implant device includes a needle holding assembly configured to hold a plurality of needles and a needle guide slidably coupled thereto and configured to provide a skin stop surface while guiding the plurality needles. A plurality of pistons is configured to slide within a respective one of the plurality of needles. A piston base is slidably coupled to the needle holding assembly and is configured to hold the pistons to slide within the plurality of needles when actuated during implantation. A spring, carried between the needle holding assembly and the piston base, is configured to bias the piston base in a retracted position, wherein the spring is offset from a central axis of the piston base. The needle holder holds the plurality of needles in the staggered arrangement offset from the central axis of the piston base.

Abstract: An artificial hair implant device is disclosed. The artificial hair implant device according to the present invention has: a body part having a hollow body; a head part in which a head is coupled and fixed to the body, an implant needle is provided to be able to enter and exit the head and has an artificial hair fitted around an end portion thereof that is drawn out from the head, and a return spring is provided between the implant needle and the head and returns the implant needle drawn out from the head back to an original position; and a button part in which a button is movably provided on the body, and a pressing shaft is provided under the button and enters and exits the body, thereby pressing the implant needle, such that the implant needle is drawn out from the head.

Abstract: A hair implant suitable for subcutaneous implantation is provided having an anchor comprising an anchor body, and at least one collagen receiving structure selected from the group consisting of at least one tunnel disposed through the anchor body and an external surface feature of the anchor body. The anchor further comprises at least one hair strand projecting from a distal end of the anchor body, wherein the at least one collagen receiving structure is configured to support collagen ligature growth after subcutaneous implantation of the hair implant so as to anchor the anchor to a hair implant recipient, and the collagen receiving structure is free of hair.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods, compositions, devices and kits which pertain to the attachment of stent-containing medical devices to tissue.

Abstract: An automated hair restoration assembly includes a control unit and a cylinder that is gripped during a hair restoration surgical procedure. An actuator is positioned within the cylinder and a turret unit is rotatably coupled to the cylinder. A plurality of cartridges is provided and a selected one of the cartridges is loadable into the turret unit. Each of the cartridges contains a respective one of a plurality of incising blades, a plurality of hair grafts or an alternating sequence of a plurality of said incising blades. The actuator passes through the respective tube and engages one of the incising blades or one of the hair grafts. Thus, each the incising blades can make a respective incision and each of the hair grafts is inserted into the respective incision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated device for hair follicle extraction and implanting, comprising a body mechanism and a connecting mechanism, the body mechanism comprising a body supporting frame, a first motor, a transmission frame, a second motor, a clamping component, a transmission mechanism and a pushing needle, the connecting mechanism comprises a connecting head, a fixing head and a cutter head, wherein the first motor of the body mechanism controls the up and down movement of the cutter head through the cooperation of the transmission frame and the transmission mechanism, and the second motor controls the pushing needle by the rotary motion of the clamping unit, simultaneously controls the rotational movement of the cutter head through the transmission mechanism. Compared with the prior art, the invention realizes the integrated operation of hair follicle extracting and implanting, and makes the operation of hair follicle implanting more convenient.

Abstract: Embodiments include devices and methods configured to fractionally resect skin and/or fat. Fractional resection is applied as a stand-alone procedure in anatomical areas that are off-limits to conventional plastic surgery due to the poor tradeoff between the visibility of the incisional scar and amount of enhancement obtained. Fractional resection is also applied as an adjunct to established plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, and is employed to significantly reduce the length of incisions required for a particular application. The shortening of incisions has application in both the aesthetic and reconstructive realms of plastic surgery.

Abstract: An automatic hair implanter is capable of continuously performing hair transplantation work by applying a structure of a conventional manual hair implanter. The automatic hair implanter (hair transplantation device) comprises a rotating magazine therein, and several needle modules are stored in the magazine. Two pushrods, which are positioned on a rear portion of the device and capable of translational motion, play a role of pushing a needle and a shaft, which constitute a needle module, forward. The needle and the shaft may be moved backward by a spring positioned inside the magazine.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hair implanter with an automatically retracting needle, and more specifically, to a hair implanter with an automatically retracting needle configured to automatically move a needle backward by a force of a spring when the needle is moved forward to a predetermined position to allow hair transplantation work to be smoothly performed.

Abstract: The surgical retractors and methods disclosed herein are designed to retract tissues in an ergonomic and anatomically correct manner by matching tissue curvatures in order to minimize tissue damage and reduce incision sizes. In one embodiment, a surgical retractor may include a first blade with proximal and distal ends, and a second blade with proximal and distal ends. The distal end of the first blade may be pivotally coupled to the distal end of the second blade. The surgical retractor may also include a ratcheting mechanism that is configured to maintain a selected distance between the proximal end of the first blade and the proximal end of the second blade.

Abstract: A device and system for implanting a hair graft, the device having an elongated body; an intermediate reservoir operably coupled to an anterior end of the elongated body and extending axially therefrom; a skin abutment piece movably coupled to an anterior end of the intermediate reservoir; and a beveled hollow needle operably coupled to an anterior end of the skin abutment piece. The system also includes a source of pressure operably coupled to the device; a hair graft container operably coupled to the device; a vacuum source operably coupled to the device; a differential pressure detector operably coupled to the device; and a controller in communication with the source of pressure, the hair graft container, the vacuum source, and the differential pressure detector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for implantation of follicular units into the scalp of a patient, including a generally cylindrical handle; a cannula disposed at one end of the cylindrical handle, the cannula having an open port constructed to load and to hold a follicular unit, and the cannula further having a tip end constructed for insertion into an implantation incision at an implantation site; a flap for at least partially closing the open port; a movable lever hinged at one end thereof relative to the cylindrical handle and connected at another end thereof to the flap; and a plunger extending through the cannula and constructed to displace a loaded follicular unit out from the cannula into the implantation incision.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic hair transplant apparatus including a needle module in which a hair follicle is inserted, a supplying case which has a magazine shape into which the needle module is inserted like a bullet of a gun, a withdrawing case which has a magazine shape into which the needle module is inserted like a bullet of a gun, and a hair transplanter on which the supplying case and the withdrawing case are mounted and which transplants hair follicles into a scalp by sequentially operating needle modules in the supplying case one by one and inserts needle modules from which hair follicles are removed into the withdrawing case.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods, compositions, devices and kits which pertain to the attachment of stent-containing medical devices to tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a follicle transfer and transplantation method based on FUE, which provides a follicle extraction punch for transferring and transplanting a follicular unit of a scalp and loads a follicular unit, extracted by the follicle extraction punch, to the follicle extraction punch itself or transfers the extracted follicular unit to a separate needle, thereby enabling a hair transplantation operation to be relatively quickly and accurately performed.

Abstract: Present invention relates to a transplantation device for transplanting a follicular unit which comprises a gripper, a rail mechanism, a gripper holding mechanism, at least one camera and/or sensor and a plurality of motors. Also a gripper for harvesting and implanting a follicular unit including a cutting mechanism, a knife mechanism, a tubular body and an ejector is disclosed. Furthermore, independent claims are included for covering a method for follicular unit transplantation and a method for harvesting and implanting of a follicular unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for automated hair transplantation through the well-known extraction technique of capillary units or FUE, comprising the morphological analysis of hair follicles in real-time by means of artificial vision, mapping of points for extraction and implant, simulation of the final result, a system of local anaesthesia, global, simultaneous or in sequential phases, at least one articulated mechanical arm associated with a tool for differentially extracting and implanting hair follicles. The present invention is useful to reduce the time and cost associated with the intervention, improve the quality of the operation and the final result, in terms of capillary density, contemplating the study of cell differentiation of follicles with the required estimate of time required regarding the growth.

Abstract: Disclosed are an automated hair transplant device for transplanting a selected hair into a hair loss area, and the transplanting method comprising selecting a hair of which the root is healthy, making the selected hair have a predetermined length without harming the follicle thereof, putting the hair of a predetermined length in a hair transplant needle, inserting the hair transplant needle into the scalp into which the hair is transplanted, and then separating the hair transplant needle from the scalp while leaving the hair therein.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device for inserting an implant on a human or animal body may be provided. The device may include an operable portion configured to make an incision on the human or animal body and configured to hold the implant for insertion on the human or animal body. The device may further include an actuator mechanism coupled to the operable portion, the actuator mechanism configured to move the operable portion along a first axis and configured to vibrate the operable portion along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

Abstract: Provided is a manual follicle-transplanting hair transplanter for increasing a graft survival rate. The manual follicle-transplanting hair transplanter includes a needle member having a lower end containing a follicle to be transplanted and having a head having a larger diameter than a portion below the head at an upper end thereof, a rod member inserted into the needle member and having a push portion having a larger diameter than a portion below the push portion at an upper end thereof, an inner body configured to contain the needle member and limit downward movement of the needle member, and an outer body configured to contain the inner body and limit upward movement of the needle member. The needle member is automatically withdrawn when a compressed spring disposed in the inner body expands and pushes up a lower surface of the head.

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: Automated systems and methods for operating a procedure tool to perform a procedure (for example, hair transplantation) on a body are provided. One or more mechanisms are configured to produce a combination movement of the procedure tool in response to control signals. A force sensor monitors resistance as the tool moves and transmits information from the force sensor to a computer. Movement of the procedure tool is controlled at least in part based on information from the force sensor.

Abstract: A method for operating a system for repetitive local puncturing of skin is provided. The system having a handheld applicator device provided with a puncturing device configured to repetitively puncture skin and a control device connected to the handheld applicator device and configured to control operation of the applicator device. The method includes receiving a user selection for a body skin part to which repetitive local puncturing is to be applied in the control device, responsively providing a set of operation parameters in the control device, the set of operation parameters defining a mode of operation of the applicator device for repetitive local puncturing, and operating the applicator device according to the mode of operation defined by the set of operation parameters with the operating of the applicator device being controlled by the control device. Also, a system for repetitive local puncturing a skin is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a nasal valve condition including surgically forming an access path to create a pocket on a side of the patient's nose. The pocket is positioned between a soft tissue layer and opposing surfaces of upper and lower cartilages of the nose. The pocket spans a junction between the upper and lower cartilages. An implant is placed through the access path into the pocket with a length oriented to span the junction. A delivery system for placement of the implant includes a surgical tool for forming the access path and for delivering the implant into the access path.

Abstract: A method for producing a regenerative hair follicle germ for transplantation, in which a color of hair that grows after transplantation is controlled, includes preparing a first cell mass containing mesenchymal cells; preparing a second cell mass containing epithelial cells; preparing a cell mass containing pigment stem cells; binding the cell mass containing the pigment stem cells to at least one among the first cell mass and the second cell mass, and closely contacting the first cell mass and the second cell mass, at least one of which has been bound to the cell mass containing the pigment stem cells, and culturing them within a support.

Abstract: An antibacterial artificial hair of the present invention includes an artificial hair and organic resin particles adhering to the artificial hair. The organic resin particles are powdered fine particles including an organic resin and an aluminum salt that is chemically bonded to the organic resin. An antibacterial coating agent for artificial hair of the present invention is used for an artificial hair and obtained by dispersing the organic resin particles in an aqueous medium. The presence of the organic resin particles including the aluminum salt not only provides the luster and texture similar to those of human hair, but also imparts the antibacterial properties.

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 method 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 will significantly decrease the amount of follicular transection and increase the rate at which follicular units can be extracted.

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: 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: 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. 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: 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: A method is described for the reproduction of hair by removing hair in the anagen phase in such a way that the hair stem cells which are responsible for hair growth are still attached to the hair removed, bringing these into contact with extracellular matrix components or substitutes therefor, and implanting the hair in the scalp. The application of extracellular matrix components or substitutes therefor for the reproduction of hair is also described.

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: Systems and methods for aligning hair follicle are provided. The systems may include at least one piercing member. The piercing member may be configured to pivot about a pivot axis. The piercing member may be operable to translate along a chosen axis, wherein the chosen axis may intersect with the pivot axis. The translation of the piercing member in a first direction may enable the piercing member to pierce through an external surface of a skin, and translation of the piercing member in a second direction may enable the piercing member to retract out of the skin.

Abstract: A direct hair transplanting device enabling sequential harvesting of single hair follicles from a donor region and implantation of the same at a recipient zone of the scalp comprising a tubular housing (30) with a forwardly projecting tubular needle (2) with an outermost end being formed with a conical obliquely cut knife edge cutting surface. A hair follicle is extracted through rotation of the cutting surface of the needle around a selected hair follicle at the target donor region of the scalp and implantation of the same at a selected recipient locus of the scalp being effected through initiating a forward stroke of a push rod (7) slidable within the interior of tubular needle (2) to implant the hair follicle into the scalp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hair transplanter which may finely adjust and set the length of a hair transplantation tool, into which a hair root is inserted, according to thicknesses of skin tissue layers within the scalps of individuals during hair transplantation and thus be conveniently used.

Abstract: A fitting and a method for utilizing one or more of such fittings are described for securing supplemental hair to a person's head, along the outer surface of the person's scalp, to create an enhanced, natural appearance independent of the population and location of any natural hair on the person's head. Each fitting includes a base member having a resiliently flexible flange, and a post rising from the flange and carrying a flexible filament establishing a loop providing a lateral path for a ligature. Each base member is embedded beneath the outer surface of the person's scalp to secure the corresponding fitting at a selected strategic location on the person's head with the filament projecting from the outer surface to provide a corresponding attachment site. Supplemental hair is juxtaposed with and secured to each filament with a corresponding ligature passed through the loop of each corresponding filament.

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.