Implantation device with direct needle aspiration of hair grafts

Abstract

Device and method for implanting a hair graft into the scalp of a patient. In the device, the cross-sectional shape of a rod placed in an implantation needle is arranged relative to the needle so that the vacuum in the chamber in front of the needle communicates forward to the interior of the needle, thereby facilitating loading of the hair graft into the device by direct needle aspiration of the hair graft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The field of the invention relates generally to surgical implantation devices and surgical methods for implanting hair grafts into the scalp of a patient. Background Art

[0002] In preparing a hair graft for implantation into a patient's scalp, great care must be taken to prevent damage or injury to the living graft, thereby ensuring that it grows at the implantation site. As hair transplantation techniques have advanced to implanting grafts comprising individual follicular units, injury has become an even greater concern given the very small size of the follicular units and their resulting increased susceptibility to injury.

[0003] Many steps are required to achieve a successful implantation, from harvesting the hair graft and separating it into individual follicular units, to loading the graft into the implantation device, to the actual implantation of the hair graft and the subsequent withdrawal of the implantation needle from the implantation site.

[0004] In particular, with regard to possible damage to the graft when loading it into the implant device, U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,406 ("Hair Transplant Device") describes the use of a vacuum introduced into the needle through a side opening in the needle to draw the hair graft directly into the needle of the implant device. However, in this device, the graft may be damaged by a portion of the graft being squeezed into the low-pressure side port, so that a portion of the loaded graft may be stuck in the side port and damaged laterally due to withdrawal of the needle during the implantation process. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to introduce an implantation device which reduces the likelihood of graft damage, in particular during the loading step.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a device for implanting a hair graft includes a handpiece extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the handpiece has a sheath mounted to its front end and a channel connectable to a vacuum source. A piston is slidably mounted in the handpiece and can move between a rest position and an active position, wherein the piston is biased to a rest position, in which the piston defines a chamber in the handpiece and in front of the piston, and the handpiece has a hole that allows the chamber to open to the outside of the handpiece. A hollow needle is fixed to the front end of the piston and extends into the sheath. A central rod is fixed to the handpiece and extends into the hollow needle, wherein the cross section of the rod is arranged relative to the needle so that the vacuum in the chamber is connected to the interior of the needle. In the rear position, the hollow needle is covered by the sheath, and the closing of the hole creates a vacuum in the chamber so as to move the piston to the active position, in which the piston causes the needle to extend forward beyond the sheath so that the vacuum in the chamber is connected through the cross-sectional shape of the rod so as to draw the hair graft into the needle.

[0007] According to certain aspects described herein, the aspirated graft is inserted into the scalp incision through the needle while the aperture is closed and the piston causes the needle to extend forward beyond the sheath. After the graft is inserted, the aperture is opened, thereby causing the piston and needle to retract to a rest position while the rod causes the implanted graft to remain in its inserted position in the incision. The needle may include a sharp beveled tip configured to form an incision in the scalp for implanting the hair graft. The needle may be mounted for rotational movement relative to the handpiece so as to allow the bevel to rotate relative to the aperture.

[0008] According to certain aspects described herein, the central rod is adjustably secured to the handpiece along its longitudinal direction to adjust the implantation depth of the hair graft.

[0009] According to certain aspects described herein, the center rod can have a circular cross section, and the gap is an annular gap around the circumference of the center rod. The center rod can have a cross section that is at least one of a cross-shaped, polygonal, star-shaped, and hollow cross section, or a combination of these cross sections.

[0010] Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the specification, drawings, and examples. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure in a rest position, wherein the needle is retracted into the body of the device.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Longitudinal section of the device.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 2Detailed view of section A.

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Detailed view of section B.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the EE.

[0016] Fig. 6A yes Figure 1 Perspective view of the device in action, with the needle extending at the front portion of the instrument.

[0017] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A Longitudinal section of the device.

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 6B An enlarged detailed view of section A.

[0019] Figure 8 yes Figure 6B A magnified detailed view of section K.

[0020] Fig. 9 This is an exploded view of the device, showing Figure 1 different parts of the device.

[0021] Figures 10A to 10D are perspective and front views of different shapes of the rod according to the device described herein.

[0022] Fig. 10E is a perspective view showing a second alternative for fastening the needle to the piston of the device according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig.11 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure in a rest position, the device comprising a push button for axial rotation of the needle.

[0024] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 Longitudinal section of the device.

[0025] Fig.13 is along Fig.12 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the BB, showing the mechanical relationship between the button and the needle.

[0026] Fig.14 Is applicable to Fig.12 Perspective view of the needle of the instrument.

[0027] Fig.15 Is indicated on the button and fixed to Fig.12 A perspective view of the mechanical relationship between the needle on the piston.

[0028] Fig.16 yes Fig.11 A perspective view of the device in action, with the needle extended at the front portion of the instrument into a position for loading the graft into the needle by aspiration.

[0029] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 Longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device.

[0030] Fig.18 is along Fig.17 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the BB.

[0031] Fig.19 yes Fig.11 A perspective view of the device in action with a needle extending at the front portion of the instrument into position for inserting a graft into the skin.

[0032] Fig. 20 yes Fig.19 Longitudinal section of the device.

[0033] Fig.21 is along Fig. 20 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the BB.

[0034] Fig. 22 It is a detailed enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a loaded graft within a needle in the prior art or existing technology.

[0035] Fig.23 is a detailed enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a loaded graft within a needle according to the device described herein.

[0036] Figures 24A to 24F Yes Figures 1 to 8 Detailed cross-sectional views of a device according to the present disclosure showing the different steps of loading a graft into a needle and deploying the graft into the skin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] First embodiment

[0038] Figures 1 to 3 is a view of a graft implantation device 1 according to the present disclosure in a rest position, wherein the implantation needle is in a retracted position and in a sheath located at the front of the instrument.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 5As described, the implant device is constituted by an instrument or handpiece 1 of cylindrical tubular shape 2, in which a piston 17 moves between two positions: a rest position or rear position and a front action position or front position. The handpiece is closed at its rear end by a plug 5 and at its front end by a cylindrical-conical plug 4. The space between the piston 17, the wall 7 of the cylinder 2 and the plug 4 defines a chamber 18. The rear plug 5 is pierced over its entire length with an eccentric vent hole 6 and a threaded axial central hole 6', which is suitable for firmly retaining an adjustment screw 112, which extends forward through a cylindrical straight central rod 110 of very small diameter extending axially over the entire length of the handpiece 1. The piston 17 is directly pierced with a central hole 177, which is suitable for allowing the central rod 110 to slide freely in a sealed manner. The piston 17 is movable within the cylinder 2 between a rear position in contact with the rear cover 5 and a front position abutting against a stopper 17 ′.

[0040] The piston 17 is extended forward by an extension 171 of cylindrical shape and smaller outer diameter, at the end of which an axial fixing device of the type of a spindle or chuck 175 is arranged for clamping the hollow cylindrical linear needle 13. The extension 171 of the piston has a space or recess 183 opening into the chamber 18 so that the central rod 110 can pass through it completely freely without contact, as described later. Likewise, the hollow needle 13 has a constant inner diameter over its entire length, greater than the diameter of the rod 110, so that the rod can pass through it completely freely without contact, as described later.

[0041] The compression return spring 20 is arranged around the extension 171 of the piston 17. The spring 20 resting on the annular fixing shoulder 152 holds the piston 17 in the rear rest position in contact with the plug 5 when the instrument is at rest.

[0042] The handpiece 1 is pierced in its front and upper part by an exhaust hole 8 in its wall 7 near the plug 4, enabling the external ambient air to communicate with the chamber 18. The handpiece also has a rigid tube or nozzle 9 at its lower and middle part, enabling the air contained in the chamber 8 to communicate with an external vacuum source through a flexible tube (not shown).

[0043] The aperture 8 will be blocked by the index finger of the operator's hand (not shown) so as to create an air depression inside the handpiece and cause the piston 17 to move forward within the chamber 18, as will be described later. Figure 6B Introduced in.

[0044] The conical plug 4 is axially bored with a hole 10 in its center over its entire length, which hole 10 is partially threaded for fitting a tubular sheath 12, which is partially threaded on the outside. The sheath 12 is pierced directly in its center with a hole of the same diameter as the outer diameter of the needle 13, so that the needle can slide therein in a sealed manner. The sheath 12 has a free end 121 for abutting against the skin, as will be described later.

[0045] Figure 3 and 4 yes Figure 2 The detailed views A and B of , respectively, show the positioning of the front and rear ends of the hollow needle 13 in the retracted or rest position of the instrument 1 .

[0046] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the front end 131 of the bevel-shaped needle 13 is arranged inside the sheath 12, set back from the free end 121 of the sheath. The straight and cylindrical hollow needle 13 (whose dimensions can be about 1 mm in outer diameter and 0.8 mm in inner diameter, with a length of more than 50 mm) is arranged to be axially free to move in contact with the sheath 12 in an airtight manner. In this rest position, the end 131 of the needle 13 is also set back relative to the free end 111 of the central rod 110.

[0047] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the EE, Figure 5 In FIG. 1 , we see that the rod 110 is separated from the inner wall of the needle 13 by a free space 184 of annular shape. This free space 184, located between the rod 110 and the needle 13 and extending over the entire length of the needle 13, allows the air contained inside the device to communicate freely in the chamber 18, up to the front end 131 of the needle 13.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the rear portion 132 of the needle 13 is tightly fixed at its periphery in the central axial groove 173 on the extension 171 of the piston 17 by means of a clamping spindle 175, so that the needle 13 can be easily and quickly replaced in operation when necessary. It can be seen that the rod 110 is arranged inside the needle 13 and is separated from the needle 13 by the space 184 as described above.

[0049] Fig. 6A , 6B , 7 and 8 are views of the implant device according to the present invention in the active position, wherein the piston 17 is in the front position within the device and the needle 13 protrudes from the outside of the sheath 12.

[0050] The implant device is connected to a continuously operating vacuum source (e.g. a negative pressure of approximately 800 mbar, not shown) via a flexible tube through channel 9, and blocking of hole 8 by the operator's index finger (not shown) will cause a sudden low pressure in chamber 18, resulting in an almost instantaneous movement of the piston 17 against stop 17' within the instrument towards the front of the piston 17 and thereby an equal distance (e.g. approximately 10 mm) relative to the sheath 12 towards the front of the needle 13.

[0051] In this position, if Figure 7 As shown, the hollow needle 13 partially protrudes outward at the front of the device 1, beyond the end 121 of the sheath 12, by a distance "l1", so as to create a cylindrical space 185 inside the needle, which is capable of completely accommodating a graft (not shown) over a distance "l2" between the inclined open end 133 of the needle 13 and the end 111 of the rod 110. It should be noted that the distance "l1" corresponds to the length of the needle introduced into the skin. This length "l1" can be adjusted in operation according to the variable thickness of the skin by tightening or loosening the sheath 12 relative to the cylindrical conical plug 4, as described above. It should also be noted that in operation, the length "l2" can be adjusted by tightening or loosening the adjustment screw 112 in the rear plug 5 so that the end 111 of the rod 110 can be slightly retracted or at the same level or even slightly forward relative to the end 121 of the sheath 12, so that when the needle 13 is retracted within the sheath 12, the graft is more or less deep into the skin (not shown) according to the operator's needs.

[0052] It should be noted that in this active position, a continuous flow of external air is created in the device 1 by circulating respectively from the open end 133 of the needle 13 into the cylindrical space 185, into the annular space 184, into the channel 173, into the space 183 and into the chamber 18, to the rigid tube 9 connected to a vacuum source (not shown). In this active position, the "suctioned" needle 13 is thus ready to draw in and completely load into the space 185 a graft previously placed, for example, on a moist gauze or on the back of the hand (not shown), for implantation in the skin.

[0053] Medical practice shows that, for example, the annular void space 184 between the rod 110 having an approximately 0.6 mm diameter and the needle 13 having an inner diameter of approximately 0.8 mm and a length of approximately 50 mm is large enough to transmit a sufficiently large suction force in the space 185 so that contacting the inclined end 133 with a graft (not shown) having an approximately 0.8 to 1 mm diameter can easily draw and accommodate the graft in the space 185 when the end 111 of the rod 110 contacts. It is also worth noting that, due to the circular, uniform and consistent concentric suction force applied to the graft, the portion of the graft in contact with the end 111 does not experience any deformation or asymmetrical indentation in the space 184. Therefore, this feature prevents the graft from being stuck or damaged between the rod 110 and the needle 13.

[0054] Figure 8 yes Figure 6B Detail K of the embodiment of the present invention is an enlarged view, showing in detail the means for preventing any axial rotation of the piston 17 relative to the cylindrical body 2 of the implantation device according to the embodiment presented herein. The extension 171 of the cylindrical piston has a plane or flat surface 174 at its upper part, which is in contact with the annular fixing shoulder 152 arranged at the middle part of the device, which has a complementary contour opening so that the extension 171 can freely translate axially in the device without being able to rotate. Therefore, the rotation of the locking piston prevents the axial rotation of the needle 13, so that its bevel 133 can always be positioned in the same predetermined plane relative to the implantation device. In fact, medical practice has shown that the implant is better stabilized in the skin when the needle 13 is introduced into the skin obliquely relative to the skin surface (while its bevel still faces the skin). This avoids the operator having to frequently rotate the device in order to position the bevel to face the skin, which wastes time. The annular fixing shoulder 152 also serves as the front bearing point of the spring 20.

[0055] Figure 8 A first method of fixing the needle 13 on the extension 171 of the piston is also shown, by clamping the mandrel 175. In fact, this type of fixing allows a quick replacement of the implantation needle 13 positioned in the central channel 173 by tightening and loosening the mandrel 175 at the threaded end 172 of the extension 171 using a suitable key (not shown).

[0056] Fig. 9 1 is an exploded view showing the various constituent elements of the implantation device according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, and more particularly the device for fixing the needle 13 on the piston 17 by means of the clamping spindle 175 in the threaded end 172.

[0057] Fig. 10A It indicates that it is suitable for Figure 1-9 The shape of the cylindrical rod inside the needle, whose diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the needle, is intended to maintain a free space between the rod and the needle. Fig. 10B A modified shape of a cylindrical rod 110b is shown in which a central hole can be added to increase the vacuum power at the front of the rod. Fig. 10C A rod 110c is shown, the profile of which is a cross. Fig. 10D A rod is shown that is polygonal in profile. Other shapes of rods can be envisioned without departing from the scope described herein, as long as the suction force exerted on the graft blocked by the rod within the needle is uniform and symmetrical.

[0058] Fig. 10E1 is a perspective view representing a second mode of rapid attachment of an implant needle to a piston 17 according to another embodiment presented herein, wherein a hollow cylindrical needle 213 has at its rear portion a means of a cylindrical or coronal fastener 202 having two opposite longitudinal grooves 203 adapted to be fitted, by axial interlocking or snap-fastening, in two claws 201, elastically deformable and of equal size, arranged at the cylindrical end 200 of the extension 171 of the piston 17. The grooves 203, once introduced and fixed in the claws 201, are able to lock the axial rotation of the needle 213 relative to the piston 17, so as to position the oblique end of said needle in the same plane facing the skin surface, as previously described. The advantage of this fastening means is the ability to quickly remove the needle from the piston by forced extraction during operation and its replacement by a new needle that is forcibly reintroduced into the channel 173 of the piston.

[0059] Other embodiments

[0060] Figures 11 to 20 A second embodiment of the implantation device according to the present invention is shown, characterized in that it also comprises a mechanical device in the form of a button actuated by the operator's finger, making it possible to control the axial rotation of the implantation needle when the implantation needle is in the active position ready to aspirate the graft. In fact, medical practice has shown that it is easier to quickly aspirate into the needle a graft that has been arranged or placed, for example, on the back of the hand or on a gauze, when the bevel of the needle is oriented facing the operator.

[0061] Once the graft is loaded into the needle, the device enables the operator to more easily and quickly reposition the bevel of the needle facing the skin without having to perform wrist rotation movements, which can be a source of muscle fatigue given the repetitive nature of the procedure, as will be described later.

[0062] Figures 11 to 13 3 is a view of a graft implantation device 301 according to the present teachings in a rest position, wherein the implantation needle is in a retracted position retracted into a sheath 12 located at the front of the instrument.

[0063] In these figures, it can be seen that the implant implant device 301 has all the mechanical and functional features of the implant device 1 described above, but with the addition of a button 302 arranged on the front of the instrument, instead of the Figure 1The button 302 is composed of two parts, respectively outside and inside, relative to the implantation device 301. The outer part is of cylindrical tubular shape, in which a hollow piston 303 type passes just through an exhaust port 308, which allows the outside air to communicate with the air contained in the device 301. The hollow piston 303 is arranged to move airtightly between two high and low positions in a cylindrical hole 304 made in the wall 307 of the implantation device 301.

[0064] The inner part of the button has an enlargement or flange 305 of square and curved shape adapted to adapt to the inner curvature of the wall 307. The flange 305 has a transverse extension 315 of the rack type adapted to adapt and mesh vertically in an axial gear or pinion 314 of a hollow needle 313 arranged on the axis of the piston 17. The hollow cylindrical needle 313 has a quick-connection device of cylindrical shape or crown 317 at its rear part, adapted to cooperate at the end 200 of the piston 17 by fitting together with a slight clearance, on which it is retained by two elastic claws 201. This fastening device enables the needle 313 to move in translation inside the implant device 301 together with the piston 17, while maintaining the possibility of free rotation about its axis relative to the piston 17. The button aperture 308 will be blocked by the operator's index finger (not shown) to allow the needle 313 to move in front of the instrument, as previously described and described in more detail below.

[0065] exist Fig.14 and 15 As can be seen in the figure, a needle 313 of hollow cylindrical shape with an inclined front end 333 has, at its middle part, a scalloped portion or pinion 314 extending for a distance suitable for meshing and maintaining contact with a rack 315 of the button 302 when the needle moves in axial translation relative to said button. The needle 313 has, at its rear part, a crown 317 suitable for cooperating with the end 200 of the piston 17 by interlocking with a slight play, on which it is retained by two elastic claws 201.

[0066] This positioning configuration of needle 313 relative to rack 315 makes it possible to easily orient the bevel 333 facing a right-handed operator (not shown) in a predetermined initial starting plane relative to the position of the instrument held in the operator's right hand (particularly relative to the axis of button 302).

[0067] Figures 16 to 20 is a view of a graft implantation device 301 according to the present teachings in an active position, wherein the piston 17 is in a forward position within the instrument and the needle 313 projects outside the sheath 12 .

[0068] Fig.16 , 17 18 represent the first step of this active position. The instrument 301 is connected to a vacuum source (not shown) by its channel 9, and the blocking of the orifice 308 by the operator's index finger (not shown) causes a sudden decompression in the chamber 18, which results in an almost instantaneous forward displacement of the piston 17 in the instrument and therefore of the needle 313 by an equal distance (e.g. about 10 mm) relative to the sheath 12. In this intermediate active position, the needle 313 is still kept rotationally locked by the rack 315 (which is in the upper position, engaged in the pinion 314 of the needle 313) so that the bevel 333 is still oriented towards the operator. Still in this position, the bevel 333, which is in suction mode, is then arranged to make it easier to come into contact with an implant (not shown) arranged, for example, on the back of the operator's left hand, which is immediately sucked into the needle 313.

[0069] Fig.19 , 20 21 represent the second step of the action position, in which a stronger pressure of the operator's finger on the button 302 will displace it, for example, by 2 mm inside the instrument and thus displace the rack 315 to the lower position and the pinion 314 of the needle 313 axially rotate, so that the bevel 333 can be oriented directly facing the skin. In this position, the needle is reintroduced into the skin (not shown), and the release of the operator's finger on the button 302 will return the button 302 to the high position pushed by the spring 306 by breaking the vacuum after the opening of the hole 308, and the needle 313 is quickly withdrawn into the instrument, so that according to the above in Figure 6B The same principles described in are used to leave a graft (not shown) completely positioned in the skin in place.

[0070] The instrument in the rest position is then ready to aspirate the next graft according to the same steps and the same principle etc.

[0071] Such a graft implantation device including a mechanism to control the axial angular rotation of the needle would not only provide a significant time saving, but would also provide relief to the operator's wrist muscles, particularly since this is a problem with repetitive motions that are repeated thousands of times during a single surgical procedure.

[0072] exist Figures 11 to 20 In the invention, the working principle of the implant implantation device 301 for a right-handed operator has been described, wherein the angular rotation of the needle is 90° (quarter turn) clockwise so as to orient the bevel of the needle firstly facing him and then downwards.

[0073] It is also conceivable that the implant implantation device may be used by a left-handed operator by reversing the position of the button relative to the instrument so that rack 315 engages in pinion 314 on the opposite side and the needle rotates counterclockwise so that bevel 333 faces first the operator and then downward.

[0074] It is also possible to reduce or increase the degree of rotation of the needle by pressing the button to a greater or lesser level, so that the position of the bevel of the needle adapts to the variable curvature of the receiving skin area of ​​the head.

[0075] exist Fig. 22 In the prior art described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 7,144,406, it can be seen that the graft 400 is sucked into the needle 13 through a lateral hole 62 located in the needle wall, which communicates with the suction space 184' connected to the vacuum source. The graft 400 is kept blocked in the needle by the rod 110. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that a part of the graft 401 is sucked sideways through the hole 62, which on the one hand may damage the graft and on the other hand can constitute a mechanical obstacle to the withdrawal of the needle 13 relative to the rod 110.

[0076] On the contrary, Fig.23 In the figure, it can be seen that, according to the description herein, the graft 400 is sucked into the needle 13 and is kept in blocking contact with the rod 110 by means of the suction space 184 situated between the rod 110 and the needle 13. While such an arrangement may cause a deformation 401 of the graft 400, this deformation is, on the one hand, negligible and in contact with the rod 110 completely symmetrically, and on the other hand it does not constitute a mechanical obstacle to the withdrawal of the needle 13 relative to the rod 110.

[0077] operate

[0078] Figures 24A to 24F The loading of the graft into the needle and the placement of the graft into the Figures 1 to 8 The different detailed steps in the skin according to the device introduced in this article are described.

[0079] The device 1 according to the present invention is connected to a vacuum source by a flexible tube, for example a continuously operated electric pump with sufficient vacuum power of 800 mbar. The operator holds the instrument like a pen. In the rest position, the hole 8 at the front part of the instrument remains open and the implantation needle 13 remains in the retracted position in the sheath 12. Blocking the hole 8 by the operator's index finger will cause a sudden vacuum in the chamber 18, so that the piston 17 in the instrument and the needle 13 extending outside the tip 121 of the sheath 12 at the front part of the instrument are both displaced forward instantaneously.

[0080] like Figures 24A to 24BAs shown, the inclined open tip 133 of the needle performing the aspiration is brought into contact with the epidermal portion of a previously acquired graft 400 (arranged, for example, on the back of the left hand or aligned on a moist gauze), thereby having the effect of instantaneously completely loading the graft within the space 185 of the needle 13. Since the hole 8 is still blocked by the index finger, the instrument is moved to the receiving area of ​​the skin 500 and the needle 13 is fully inserted into the skin until the tip 121 of the sheath 12 is in contact with the skin surface, as shown in FIG. Figures 24C-24D In this position, opening the hole 8 by lifting the index finger will break the vacuum inside the device, thereby simultaneously causing the graft 400 to be instantly released from the needle 13 and the needle 13 to be instantly retracted into the sheath 12 due to the rearward displacement of the piston 17 in the rest position, thus perfectly positioning the graft 400 in the skin, still held by the tip of the rod 111, as shown Fig.24E Then, as Fig.24F As shown, the instrument is removed from the skin surface, ready for picking up and placing the next graft in the same manner, and so on.

[0081] It will be readily appreciated that among the advantages of the apparatus described herein, over two thousand grafts of excellent quality can be implanted directly into the skin in less than an hour with minimal practice.

[0082] The embodiments shown and described in this specification will only be used to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the disclosure herein. When introducing the embodiments disclosed herein, specific terms are used for clarity. However, the disclosure herein will not be limited to the specific terms selected in this way. As those skilled in the art will understand according to the above teachings, the above-mentioned embodiments of the disclosure herein may be modified or changed without departing from the disclosure herein. Therefore, it should be understood that within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the disclosure herein may be implemented in a manner different from that specifically described.

Claims

1. A device for implanting a hair transplant, the device comprising: a handpiece extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the handpiece has a sheath mounted on a front end of the handpiece and a channel connectable to a vacuum source; a piston slidably mounted in the handpiece and movable between a rest position and an active position, wherein the piston is biased to the rest position in which the piston defines a chamber in the handpiece forward of the piston, the handpiece having an aperture venting the chamber to an exterior of the handpiece; a hollow needle fixed to the front end of the piston and extending into the sheath; and A central rod is fixed to the handpiece and extends into the hollow needle, wherein a cross section of the central rod is spaced apart from the hollow needle so that the vacuum in the chamber communicates with the interior of the hollow needle.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: When the hole is closed, the aspirated graft is inserted through the hollow needle into the incision in the scalp, the piston extends the hollow needle forward beyond the sheath, and after the graft is inserted, the hole is opened, causing the piston and hollow needle to retract to a rest position, while the central rod holds the implanted graft in the incision at its insertion position.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The hollow needle includes a sharp, beveled tip configured to form an incision in the scalp for implanting a hair graft.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The hollow needle is mounted for rotational movement relative to the handpiece so as to allow the bevel to rotate relative to the aperture.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The central rod is adjustably fixed to the handpiece in the longitudinal direction of the handpiece in order to adjust the implantation depth of the hair transplant.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The central rod has a circular cross-section, and the vacuum in the chamber communicates with the interior of the hollow needle through an annular gap around the circumference of the central rod.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The cross section of the center rod includes at least one of a cross-shaped, polygonal, star-shaped and hollow cross section.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein: In the rear position, the hollow needle is covered by the sheath and the closing of the hole creates a vacuum in the chamber to move the piston to the active position, in which the piston extends the hollow needle forward beyond the sheath so that the vacuum in the chamber is communicated through the cross-sectional shape of the central rod, thereby sucking the hair transplant into the hollow needle.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein: Closing of the aperture creates a vacuum in the chamber such that the vacuum in the chamber is communicated through the gap in the cross-sectional shape of the central rod, thereby drawing the hair graft into the hollow needle.

10. A method for loading a hair graft, the method comprising aspirating the hair graft directly into a hollow needle of a device for implanting a hair graft according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images