Systems and methods for hair transplantation

Abstract

A system and method for performing hair transplantation using a hair transplantation device is provided. The hair transplant device (10) includes a coring needle (30), a disrupting needle (42), a housing (12), and a user interface (18). The coring needle (30) defines a coring lumen configured to extract hair follicles from a donor site. The disrupting needle (42) is configured to form an opening at a recipient site. The housing (12) at least partially surrounds one of the coring needle (30) and the disrupting needle (42). The user interface (18) extends from the housing (12) and is movable relative to the coring needle (30) to push hair follicles from the coring lumen into the opening at the recipient site formed by the disrupting needle (42).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] <CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS> This application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 532,892, filed July 14, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 587,758, filed November 17, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] Hair transplantation is a procedure that involves transplanting multiple hair follicles or follicular units from a donor site on a donor to a recipient site on a patient. This procedure is generally performed by first identifying a hair follicle at the donor site, coring around the follicle, and removing the follicle from the donor site. A small opening is then created at the recipient site. After the small opening is created, the hair follicle is transplanted into the opening, and the opening is allowed to heal around the transplanted follicle.

[0003] Currently, the procedure is usually performed using different tools to extract the hair follicle, create a small opening, and implant the hair follicle. Also, the procedure is typically performed by implanting one hair follicle at a time. In one hair transplant session, 1,500 to 3,000 hair follicles can be implanted. Since each hair follicle takes about 20 seconds to implant, each session is very labor intensive and can take about 8 to 10 hours. Therefore, the current hair transplant process is tedious, time consuming, and expensive. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure overcomes these and other shortcomings by providing a system and method for hair transplantation using a hair transplantation device capable of extracting hair follicles from a donor site, forming openings in a recipient site, and implanting the hair follicles within the openings in the recipient site. The system and method of the present disclosure is capable of simultaneously extracting multiple hair follicles from a donor site, simultaneously forming multiple openings in a recipient site, and implanting multiple hair follicles within multiple openings in the recipient site. In some embodiments, this process can occur simultaneously. In this manner, a system and method for an improved hair transplantation procedure is provided that provides increased efficiency and reduced costs by increasing the speed of extraction, opening formation, and implantation.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a hair implantation device comprising a coring needle, a disruption needle, a housing, and a user interface. The coring needle defines a coring lumen configured to extract a hair follicle from a donor site. The disruption needle is configured to form an opening at a recipient site. A housing at least partially surrounds one of the coring needle and the disruption needle. A user interface extends from the housing and is movable relative to the coring needle to push the hair follicle from the coring lumen into the opening at the recipient site defined by the disruption needle.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a hair implantation device comprising a coring needle, a housing, and a user interface. The coring needle defines a coring lumen configured to extract hair follicles from a donor site of a donor. The coring needle has a distal cutting end configured to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on a heat memory of a material of the distal cutting end. A housing at least partially surrounds the coring needle. A user interface extends from the housing and is movable relative to the coring needle to push the hair follicles from the coring lumen into a recipient site of a subject.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a hair transplantation system comprising a matrix in which a plurality of hair transplantation devices are arranged to coordinately perform a plurality of extractions and implantations of hair follicles, each of the plurality of hair transplantation devices comprising a coring needle, a needle, and a user interface, the coring needle forming a coring lumen configured to extract hair follicles from a donor site of a subject, the needle configured to form an opening in a recipient site of the subject, and the user interface movable relative to the coring lumen to push hair follicles from within the coring lumen and into the opening in the recipient site, thereby implanting the hair follicles in the recipient site.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of performing a hair transplant procedure using an automated hair transplant device, the method comprising engaging a user interface device to drive a coring needle having a coring lumen at a donor site of a subject to position a hair follicle within the coring lumen of the coring needle, the method further comprising engaging the user interface to drive a split needle to form an opening in a recipient site of a subject, and the method further comprising engaging the user interface to displace the hair follicle from the coring lumen for implantation of the hair follicle within the opening of the recipient site.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of performing a hair transplant procedure using a hair transplant device and a mold, the method comprising engaging a user interface device to engage the coring needle having a coring lumen with a donor site of a donor to position a hair follicle within the coring lumen of the coring needle, the method further comprising engaging the user interface device to move the hair follicle from the coring lumen into a mold, the method further comprising molding biomaterial around the hair follicle to form a molded body of biomaterial containing the hair follicle, and the method further comprising implanting the molded body of biomaterial containing the hair follicle into a recipient site of a subject.

[0010] These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. The specification is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. Such embodiments do not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, and therefore the scope of the invention should be interpreted based on the claims and the description of this specification. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a hair implantation device according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a coring needle used with the hair implantation device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a disruption needle used with the hair implantation device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4A-C] Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 1 shown over a donor site during an extraction procedure, Figure 4B is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 4A showing a coring needle inserted into the donor site during an extraction procedure, and Figure 4C is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 4B showing the coring needle removed from the donor site containing the hair follicle. [Figure 5A-B] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 1 shown containing a hair follicle over a recipient site with the disruption needle advanced during an opening formation procedure, and Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 5A shown containing a hair follicle and forming an opening in the recipient site during an opening formation procedure. [Figure 6A-C] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 1 shown inserted into a recipient site with hair follicles included, Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 6A shown with the user interface advanced to implant hair follicles into the recipient site during a transplantation procedure, and Figure 6C is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 6B shown removed from the recipient after implantation of hair follicles during a transplantation procedure. [Figure 7A-B] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 1 illustrating the extraction of hair follicles at a non-normal angle, and Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 1 illustrating the formation of an opening in a recipient site at a non-normal angle. [Figure 7C] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hair transplant device of FIG. 1 illustrating transplantation of hair follicles at a non-normal angle. [Figure 8A-B]Figure 8A is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 1 showing a fluid flowing through the device above a donor site to bend a number of hair follicles away from the device, and Figure 8B is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of Figure 8A showing the extraction of hair follicles from an untrimmed donor site. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an array of hair implantation devices according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a coring device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cutting device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a rotation chamber vessel configured for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a rotating container configured for use with the hair implantation device of FIG. 1; [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hair transplant system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rectangular array of hair implantation devices according to the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a circular array of hair implantation devices according to the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a circular array of hair implantation devices with non-uniform distribution of the hair implantation devices in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cutting device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cutting device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 20A-B] FIG 20A is a cross-sectional view of a hair implantation device according to the present disclosure, showing a splitting needle forming an opening in a recipient site containing a hair follicle during an opening formation procedure, and FIG 20B is a cross-sectional view of the hair implantation device of FIG 20A, showing a coring needle advancing to open the splitting needle. [Fig. 20C-H]FIG. 20C is a cross-sectional view of a coring needle according to the present disclosure, showing a skin core in a donor site with the coring needle in an open configuration; FIG. 20D is a cross-sectional view of the coring needle of FIG. 20C, showing a skin core in a donor site with the coring needle in a closed configuration; FIG. 20E is a cross-sectional view of the coring needle of FIG. 20D, showing a skin core removed from a donor site; FIG. 20F is a cross-sectional view of the coring needle of FIG. 20E, showing a skin core inserted into a recipient site with the coring needle in a closed configuration; FIG. 20G is a cross-sectional view of the coring needle of FIG. 20F, showing a skin core in a recipient site with the coring needle in an open configuration; FIG. 20H is a cross-sectional view of the coring needle of FIG. 20G, showing a skin core removed from a recipient site while the skin core remains in the recipient site. [Figure 21A-B] 21A and 21B are perspective views of a coring needle and another coring needle according to the present disclosure; [Figure 21C] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a coring needle having a flat wire to aid in extracting a skin core in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 22A-C] Figure 22A is a cross-sectional view of a coring element according to the present disclosure, showing the coring needle in a spring loaded position, Figure 22B is a cross-sectional view of the coring element of Figure 22A, showing the coring needle moved towards the donor site, and Figure 22C is a cross-sectional view of the coring element of Figure 22B, showing the coring needle inserted into the donor site. [Figure 23A-B] Figure 23A is a cross-sectional view of a mold including a shaping spike and a dermal core for implantation in accordance with the present disclosure, and Figure 23B is a cross-sectional view of the shaping spike and dermal core shown in Figure 23A implanted into a recipient site. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a hair implantation device 10 for extracting hair follicles from a donor site on a donor and implanting them into a recipient site on a patient. These follicles or follicular units may include a single hair or multiple hairs grouped together. As shown in Figure 1, the hair implantation device 10 includes a housing 12 that includes a coring element 14, a cutting element 16, and a user interface 18.

[0013] The housing 12 extends between a proximal end 20 and a distal end 22. The housing 12 includes an opening 24 at the distal end 22. For example, as shown in FIG 1, the housing 12 may be tapered toward the distal end 22. In other examples, the housing 12 may have a distal end 22 that is rounded, flat, or any other shape.

[0014] As will be described further, the housing 12 may be configured to be connected to an automated system, such as, for example, a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system, for automated use of the hair implantation device 10. As will also be described further, the housing 12 may be configured to be connected to a number of other similar hair implantation devices, such that an array of hair implantation devices similar to the hair implantation device 10 is provided for automated extraction and / or implantation of multiple hair follicles, either sequentially or simultaneously. For example, the housing 12 may additionally or alternatively be configured for manual operation (e.g., may include a handle).

[0015] Coring element 14 is disposed within housing 12 near distal end 22. Coring element 14 includes a central lumen 26 that extends axially through both a coring element flange 28 and a coring needle 30. Central lumen 26 may be centrally disposed within and extend through coring element 14 from a proximal face of coring element flange 28 to the distal end of coring needle 30. Coring element flange 28 extends radially outward at the proximal end of coring element 14, terminating in an outer surface 31. Outer surface 31 of coring element flange 28 slidably engages inner surface 33 of housing 12.

[0016] The coring needle 30 extends distally from the distal surface of the coring element flange 28 and beyond the opening 24 at the distal end 22 of the housing 12. As best shown in FIG. 2, the coring needle 30 may be formed as a hollow needle with a central lumen 26 extending therethrough. Additionally, the coring needle 30 may include a distal cutting portion 32. The distal cutting portion 32 may be disposed entirely outside the housing 12 and may include a pair of angled surfaces 34 that angle toward one another and intersect at the distal end of the coring needle 30. The pair of angled surfaces 34 thus form a pair of cutting edges 36 disposed on opposite sides of the central lumen 26. The pair of cutting edges 36 are substantially aligned across the coring needle 30 such that both of the cutting edges 36 extend radially from an inner surface of the coring needle 30 to an outer surface of the coring needle 30. In this manner, the coring needle 30 is configured to cut into tissue by advancing the coring needle 30 into tissue without having to rotate the coring needle 30.

[0017] Coring element 14 is movable between a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 5A-5B) and an extended position (shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and 6A-6C) and may be controlled, for example, via a user interface 18 or an automated control system, as described below. In the extended position, coring element 14 has been moved distally relative to housing 12 to extract a hair follicle, as described below. In the retracted position, coring element 14 has been moved proximally such that a smaller portion of coring needle 30 extends out of opening 24 in distal end 22 of housing 12.

[0018] 1, the disrupting element 16 is also disposed within the housing 12 near the distal end 22 and partially surrounds the coring needle 30 of the coring element 14. The disrupting element 16 similarly includes a central lumen 38 extending axially through a disrupting element flange 40 and a disrupting needle 42. The central lumen 38 is centrally disposed within the disrupting element 16 and extends through the disrupting element 16 from a proximal face of the disrupting element flange 40 through the distal end of the disrupting needle 42. The central lumen 38 of the disrupting element 16 also has an inner diameter that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the coring needle 30 of the coring element 14, such that the coring needle 30 can be inserted within the central lumen 38 and the disrupting element 16 can slide over the coring needle 30 relative to the coring element 14, as described below.

[0019] The disruption element flange 40 extends radially outward at the proximal end of the disruption element 16 and terminates in an outer surface 44. The outer surface 44 of the disruption element flange 40 slidably engages the inner surface 33 of the housing 12. The disruption element flange 40 is disposed closer to the distal end 22 of the housing 12 than the coring element flange 28.

[0020] The disrupting needle 42 is coaxially disposed about the coring needle 30 and extends distally from the disrupting element flange 40. As best seen in FIG. 3, the disrupting needle 42 is a hollow needle having a central lumen 38 extending therethrough. Additionally, the disrupting needle 42 includes a distal cutting edge 46 that is angled relative to the central axis of the disrupting needle 42. The distal cutting edge 46 has a unique cutting geometry (e.g., the angle of the distal cutting edge 46) that limits tissue ingress into the disrupting needle 42 as the disrupting needle 42 pierces the skin and gradually pries open the tissue to incise into the skin, similar to the function of a hypodermic needle.

[0021] The disrupting element 16 is movable between a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A-4C) and an extended position (shown in FIGS. 5A-6B) and may be controlled, for example, via a user interface 18 or an automated control system, as described below. In the retracted position, the disrupting element 16 is raised proximally such that the distal end of the disrupting needle 42 is disposed more proximally within the housing 12 than the distal end of the coring needle 30. Also, in the retracted position, the proximal face of the disrupting element flange 40 may abut the distal face of the coring element flange 28. In the extended position, the disrupting element 16 is moved distally such that a portion of the disrupting needle 42 extends beyond the distal end of the coring needle 30 and out of the opening 24 in the distal end 22 of the housing 12.

[0022] Referring again to FIG. 1 , user interface 18 is positioned to extend from housing 12 near proximal end 20 and is partially surrounded by coring element 14. User interface 18 may include a pin 50, a head 52, and a spring 54. Pin 50 extends distally from head 52 and is partially disposed within central lumen 26 of coring element 14. The illustrated pin 50 includes a flat distal tip surface 56. However, in some embodiments, distal tip surface 56 may alternatively be rounded, pointed, or other suitable shape. Head 52 may extend radially outward beyond an outer diameter of pin 50 at the proximal end of user interface 18 to provide a surface against which force or pressure may be applied by a user to control operation of the system. In some embodiments, head 52 may be configured to interface with an automated system such that user interface 18 may be moved automatically. For example, in some embodiments, user interface 18 may be actuated using a solenoid actuator to push coring element 14 or severing element 16 into the scalp. The solenoid actuator may have sufficient force to push single or multiple elements or needles into tissue. In other embodiments, head 52 may additionally or alternatively be configured for other types of automated or manual operation.

[0023] A spring 54 is disposed about pin 50 between a distal surface of head 52 and a proximal surface of coring element flange 28 of coring element 14. Spring 54 is configured to compress when user interface 18 is advanced distally, thereby providing a resistive force that prevents user interface 18 from entering central lumen 26 of coring element 14.

[0024] User interface 18 is movable between a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A-5B) and an insertion position (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). In the retracted position, user interface 18 has been moved proximally such that only a small portion of pin 50 is disposed within central lumen 26 of coring element 14. In the insertion position, user interface 18 has been moved distally a predetermined amount such that a majority of pin 50 is disposed within central lumen 26 and a distal tip surface 56 of pin 50 is disposed near the distal end of coring needle 30.

[0025] In some embodiments, the user interface 18 may further include a central lumen 58 extending axially from a proximal face of the head 52 through a distal tip face 56 of the pin 50. The central lumen 58 may be provided to allow for the flow of gas or liquid through the user interface 18. In this case, the head 52 may be coupled to a fluid supply system and / or a fluid aspiration system to provide gas or liquid through the user interface 18 and / or to aspirate gas or liquid through the user interface 18.

[0026] Having now described the general structure of the hair implantation device 10, an exemplary method of use will now be described. It should be noted that the methods of use described below are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0027] The hair implantation device 10 can be used to perform a number of different procedures to complete a hair implantation procedure on a patient. For example, the device 10 is designed to perform an extraction procedure (shown in FIGS. 4A-4C), an opening formation procedure (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B), and an implantation procedure (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B). Although any of these three procedures can be performed individually by the hair implantation device 10, the hair implantation device 10 can perform the three procedures repeatedly in succession. That is, first, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to extract hair follicles from a donor site of a donor during an extraction procedure. Next, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to form an opening, containing the hair follicles from the donor site, at a recipient site of a patient, configured to receive the hair follicles. Next, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to implant the hair follicles from the donor site to the recipient site. Finally, after the hair follicles are implanted in the recipient site, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to repeat this process multiple times to complete the hair implantation procedure. This process may be repeated, for example, tens, hundreds, or thousands of times.

[0028] 4A-4C show the hair implantation device 10 being used during an extraction procedure. As shown, the hair implantation device 10 can be initially positioned over a donor site 100 of a donor in an extraction position as shown in FIG. 4A. In the extraction position, both the disrupting element 16 and the user interface 18 are in corresponding retracted positions, such that the coring needle 30 is exposed outside the distal end 22 of the housing 12. While the hair implantation device 10 is in the extraction position, the coring needle 30 can then be inserted into the donor site 100 around the skin core 102, with the pair of cutting edges 36 cutting into the surrounding donor tissue 104 as shown in FIG. 4B. The central lumen 26 of the coring needle 30 can define an inner diameter that is greater than the average distance between hair follicles in the donor site 100 (i.e., about 1 mm). In this way, the hair implantation device 10 should extract a skin core 102 containing at least one hair follicle with at least one hair 103, along with other skin components (e.g., epidermis, collagen, elastin, blood vessels, etc.) every time during the extraction procedure.

[0029] As described below, the coring needle 30 can be inserted at various angles to extract a skin core 102 with a hair follicle in a desired orientation. This variation in angle of insertion can be controlled using the automated system described above. After insertion, the coring needle 30 can then be removed from the donor site 100 with the skin core 102 contained within the coring needle 30, leaving a small opening 106 in the donor site 100.

[0030] It should be noted that during the extraction procedure, if the user interface 18 includes a central lumen 58 (shown in FIG. 1 ), a suction or negative pressure may be provided by the fluid aspiration system through the user interface 18 into the coring needle 30 as the coring needle 30 is removed to provide additional control and force for removing the skin core 102 from the donor site 100. In this case, a porous stopper 59 (shown in FIG. 4A ) may be incorporated into the bore of the needle to prevent the skin core 102 from being sucked too far into the coring needle 30. In other words, the porous stopper 59 is configured to prevent the skin core 102, which may contain hair follicles, from being sucked beyond a predetermined point into the coring needle 30.

[0031] 5A and 5B show the hair implantation device 10 being used during an opening formation procedure. As shown, the hair implantation device 10 can be initially positioned over the recipient site 200 of the recipient in an opening formation position, as shown in FIG. 5A. In the opening formation position, the user interface 18 remains in the retracted position, but the disrupting element 16 is moved to the extended position, such that the distal end of the disrupting needle 42 extends slightly beyond the distal end of the coring needle 30. With the hair implantation device 10 in the opening formation position, the disrupting needle 42 (and the coring needle 30) can be inserted into the recipient site 200, with the distal cutting edge 46 forming an opening in the tissue 202, thereby forming a small opening 204 in the recipient site 200. Notably, although the small opening 204 is shown formed at an angle normal to the surface of the recipient site 200, the small opening 204 may be formed at an angle other than normal. Such non-normal angles can be readily achieved by beveling the surface of the disrupter needle 42 and / or by orienting the disrupter needle 42 to engage the recipient site 200, as described below.

[0032] 6A and 6B show the hair implantation device 10 being used during an implantation procedure. As shown, with the distal ends of both the disruption needle 42 and the coring needle 30 inserted into the small aperture 204 created during the aperture creation procedure and the dermal core 102 positioned within the coring needle 30, the hair implantation device 10 can be moved to an implantation position. In the implantation position, the disruption element 16 can remain in the extended position and the user interface 18 can be moved into the insertion position. As the user interface 18 is moved into the insertion position, the pin 50 will eventually contact the dermal core 102, thereby forcing the dermal core 102 out of the coring needle 30 and into the small aperture 204. In this manner, the depth of implantation of the dermal core 102 into the small aperture 204 can be controlled by the amount the user interface 18 is moved distally. After the skin core 102 has been pushed out of the coring needle 30 and into the small opening 204, the disruption needle 42 and the coring needle 30 can be removed from the small opening 204, thereby implanting the skin core 102 with the hair follicle therein.

[0033] In some embodiments, the user interface 18 may be configured to remain in contact with the skin core 102 as the coring needle 30 and the disruption needle 42 are withdrawn from the recipient site 200. Notably, in this case, the user interface 18 may be long enough to protrude distally from both the coring needle 30 and the disruption needle 42 when the coring needle 30 and the disruption needle 42 are moved to their corresponding retracted positions within the hair implantation device 10. In this manner, the user interface 18 may apply pressure to the skin core 102 to leave the skin core 102 within the opening 204 as the coring needle 30 and the disruption needle 42 are withdrawn. In some embodiments, pressure from the user interface 18 may be maintained for an extended period of time (e.g., 1-2 minutes) to help reduce bleeding from the recipient site 200.

[0034] Similar to the extraction procedure described above, the dermal core 102 can be transplanted at various angles into the recipient site to give the hair a more natural appearance by transplanting the dermal core 102 with the hair follicles in a desired orientation as described below.

[0035] As shown in Figures 7A-7C, the extraction, disruption and / or implantation can be performed at angles that are not normal to the extraction or donor site. In other words, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to extract a skin core 102 with the central lumen 26 of the coring element 14 aligned with a follicular axis 108 (i.e., an axis along which the hairs 103 of the hair follicle are oriented) that is not normal to the skin surface 110 of the donor site 100 (as shown in Figure 7A). Additionally, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to create an angled opening 206 that is not normal to the skin surface 210 of the recipient site 200 (as shown in Figure 7B). The hair implantation device 10 can then be used to insert the skin core 102 into the angled opening 206 with the follicular axis 108 at an angle that is not normal to the skin surface 210 (as shown in Figure 7C).

[0036] The hair 103 of the follicle, after implantation, grows in the direction of the follicle axis 108. Thus, by extracting the skin core 102 with the central lumen 26 of the coring element 14 aligned with the follicle axis 108, the skin core 102 can be implanted such that the hair 103 grows at a known angle relative to the skin surface 210 of the recipient site 200. Thus, the skin core 102 can be implanted at a variety of angles to create a natural looking hair line at the recipient site 200. In some embodiments, the skin core 102 can be extracted and / or implanted at angles of up to 60 degrees relative to the donor site 100 and / or recipient site 200.

[0037] For example, these non-normal orientations can be easily achieved by placement of the cutting plane and / or placement of the device relative to the subject. In a fully automated implementation, the angle control or selection can be controlled by the automated system described above. In a manual implementation, the angle selection may be controlled by selecting the device from among different devices, including devices of different shapes and / or user orientations during the process.

[0038] Furthermore, during the implantation procedure, if the user interface 18 includes a central lumen 58 (as shown in FIG. 1 ), a positive pressure may be applied by the fluid delivery system through the user interface 18 into the coring needle 30 to provide additional control and force to push the skin core 102 out of the coring needle 30. Additionally or alternatively, during the implantation procedure, various fluids may be provided by the fluid delivery system through the central lumen 58 of the user interface 18 to the coring needle 30 to aid in the treatment, therapy, and biology associated with the implantation of the hair follicle. These fluids may be any of a lubricant, flushing fluid, cleaning fluid, anesthetic fluid, medicated fluid, or any other fluid desired to be applied through the coring needle 30.

[0039] For example, in some embodiments, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to inject saline under the donor site 100 during the extraction procedure to raise the hair follicles more normal to the donor site 100. In other embodiments, the hair implantation device 10 can be used to apply a tumescent anesthetic to the donor site 100.

[0040] 8A and 8B, the fluid delivery system can continuously push a stream of fluid (e.g., air) (indicated by arrows 112) into the central lumen 26 of the coring element 14 to blow any long hairs 114 on the donor site 100 away from the hair implantation device 10 (FIG. 8A). With the long hairs 114 blown away from the coring element 14, the coring element 14 can be used to extract a skin core 102 (as shown in FIG. 8B) as described above with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C. Blowing the long hairs 114 away from the hair implantation device 10 allows the hair implantation device 10 to extract a skin core 102 containing a hair follicle from the donor site 100 without first trimming or cutting the long hairs 114.

[0041] 9, there is shown a hair implantation device 300 for simultaneously extracting tens, hundreds or thousands of hair follicles from a donor site on a donor and then implanting tens, hundreds or thousands of hair follicles simultaneously into a recipient site on a patient. As can be seen from the diagram shown in FIG. 9, the hair implantation device 300 has a body 302 that includes a plurality of hair implantation devices 304. Each of the plurality of hair implantation devices 304 functions in the same manner as the hair implantation device 10 described above.

[0042] As shown, two hair implantation devices 304 are shown separated from a third hair implantation device 304 by three sets of ellipses 306. The ellipses 306 indicate that the hair implantation device 300 can include any number of hair implantation devices 304 desired for a given hair implantation operation. For example, the hair implantation device 300 can have a two-dimensional array including tens, hundreds, or thousands of hair implantation devices 304 configured to simultaneously extract tens, hundreds, or thousands of hair follicles from a donor site, simultaneously form tens, hundreds, or thousands of small openings on a recipient site, and simultaneously implant tens, hundreds, or thousands of hair follicles into the recipient site.

[0043] Again, the hair implantation device 300 can be configured for use with an automated system, as described below. In this manner, the angle, dispersion and spacing between the multiple hair implantation devices 304 can be controlled by the automated system to efficiently control the angle, dispersion and spacing between simultaneous extractions such that each of the multiple hair implantation devices 304 extracts aligned hair follicles. Similarly, the angle, dispersion and spacing between the multiple hair implantation devices 304 can be controlled by the automated system to efficiently control the angle, dispersion and spacing between simultaneous extractions.

[0044] 10, a coring device 400 having a coring element 402 or an array of coring elements similar to the coring element 14 described above, and a user interface 404 (or a corresponding array of pin elements) similar to the user interface 18 described above, may be used to extract a hair follicle (or multiple hair follicles). The user interface 404 may also be hollow, including a central lumen 408. The coring element 402 may then be positioned behind a separate disruption device 500 (shown in FIG. 11) including a disruption element 502 (or a corresponding array of disruption elements) similar to the disruption element 16 described above. The disruption device 500 may be used to create a small opening in the recipient site, as described above. It should be noted that either the coring device 400 or the disruption device 500 may be configured to engage with an automated system, fluid supply system, or fluid suction system as described above, for the same uses as those described above with reference to the hair implantation device 10.

[0045] In some embodiments, the coring needle 406 of the coring element 502 can then be inserted into the central lumen 504 of the cutting element 502 to implant the hair follicle into the small opening created in the recipient site by the cutting element 502. However, if the central lumen 504 of the cutting element 502 is not large enough to fit the coring element 402 positioned behind the cutting element 502 therein, the user interface 404 can be configured to push the hair follicle through the central lumen 504 of the cutting element 502 and into the small opening in the recipient site.

[0046] 12, a rotating chamber container 600 for loading and dispensing hair follicles is shown. The rotating chamber container 600 includes a device port 602 and a plurality of follicle chambers 604. As shown, the rotating chamber container 600 has four evenly spaced follicle chambers 604. However, the rotating chamber container 600 may include any number of evenly or unevenly spaced follicle chambers 604, as indicated by the ellipses 606 extending between each adjacent follicle chamber 604. The device port 602 is rotatably coupled to the rotating chamber container 600 and configured to engage either the coring device 400 or the severing device 500 described above, thereby selectively coupling either the coring device 400 or the severing device 500 to the rotating chamber container 600.

[0047] Thus, during a hair implantation operation, the coring device 400 can first be attached to the rotating chamber container 600 using the device port 602. With the coring device 400 attached to the rotating chamber container 600, the coring element 402 can then be used to extract hair follicles from the donor site as described above. After the coring element 402 extracts the hair follicles from the donor site, the hair follicle chamber 604 is filled by applying suction through the central lumen 408 of the user interface 404 to move the hair follicles up and through the device port 602 into one of the hair follicle chambers 604. Once the hair follicle chamber 604 is filled with hair follicles, the rotating chamber container 600 can be rotated so that the device port 602 is aligned with the next unfilled hair follicle chamber 604. The coring device 400 can then be used in the same manner to fill that hair follicle chamber 604. This process can be repeated until the hair follicle chambers 604 of the desired number (or all) of the rotating chamber containers 600 are filled.

[0048] Once the desired number (or all) of the follicle chambers 604 are filled, the coring device 400 can be removed from the rotating chamber vessel 600, and the disruption device 500 can be attached to the rotating chamber vessel 600 in the same manner using the device port. With the disruption device 500 attached to the rotating chamber vessel 600, the disruption element 502 can be used to create a small opening at the recipient site as described above. Positive pressure can then move the hair follicles from the follicle chambers 604 through the central lumen 504 of the disruption element 502 and into the small opening, allowing the hair follicles to be implanted into the recipient site. This process can be repeated multiple times until all of the hair follicles in the filled follicle chambers 604 have been implanted into the recipient site.

[0049] 13, an alternative rotating vessel 608 is shown. The rotating vessel 608 is similar to the rotating chamber vessel 600, but instead of the multiple hair follicle chambers 604, it has multiple hair implantation devices 610. The hair implantation devices 610 are similar to the hair implantation device 10 described above. As shown, four hair implantation devices 610 are provided. However, again, ellipses 612 are shown between the hair implantation devices 610 to indicate that any number of evenly or unevenly spaced hair implantation devices 610 may be provided around the circumference of the rotating vessel 608.

[0050] The hair implantation device 610 of the rotating container 608 can be used to extract multiple skin cores containing hair follicles from a donor site, as described above with respect to the hair implantation device 10. Thus, the rotating container 608 can first extract a first skin core having a first hair follicle using a first hair implantation device 610. The rotating container 608 can then be rotated to extract a second skin core having a second hair follicle using a second hair implantation device 610. This can be repeated until the rotating container 608 is filled (i.e., each hair implantation device 610 contains a skin core with a hair follicle).

[0051] Once the rotating container 608 is filled, the hair implantation device 610 of the rotating container 608 can be used to implant the skin cores with hair follicles into the recipient site in the same manner as described above with respect to the hair implantation device 10. Thus, the rotating container 608 can form a first opening using a first hair implantation device 610, and then the first skin core from the first hair implantation device 610 can be implanted into the first opening. The rotating container 608 can then be rotated and used to form a second opening using a second hair implantation device 610. The rotating container 608 can then implant a second skin core from the second hair implantation device 610 into the second opening. This can be repeated until the rotating container 608 is empty (i.e., until each skin core in the hair implantation device 610 has been implanted into the recipient site).

[0052] In this manner, the rotating vessel 608 can be operated repeatedly as described above (i.e., by filling and emptying the rotating vessel 608) to complete the hair transplant procedure.

[0053] 14, a block diagram of an exemplary automated hair implantation system 700 configured to operate any of the hair implantation devices described herein is shown. In general, the hair implantation system 700 may include a controller 701 having one or more inputs 702, a processor 704, a memory 706, and an output 708, and may be configured to operate a single hair implantation device 709 and / or a matrix 710 of hair implantation devices 712 to perform steps for extracting hair follicles from a donor site, forming openings at a recipient site, and implanting hair follicles at the recipient site. The hair implantation devices 709, 712 may include, for example, any of the hair implantation devices 10, 300, 400, 500 described above.

[0054] The hair implantation system 700 may access or communicate with one or more user interfaces 714 and / or imaging systems 716 via wired or wireless connections to the input 702. In various embodiments, the hair implantation system 700 may include any computing device, facility or system configured to execute instructions and provide input / output capabilities, and may operate as part of or in cooperation with other computing devices and sensors / detectors (local and remote). In this regard, the hair implantation system 700 may be a system designed to combine various software and hardware capabilities and functions, and / or may be capable of operating independently. Additionally, in various configurations, the components shown in FIG. 14 may be implemented using multiple separate components, as well as multiple illustrated components may be combined into one component.

[0055] The input 702 may include any one or more different input elements, such as a mouse, keyboard, touchpad, touch screen, buttons, etc., for receiving various selections and action commands from a user via touch, movement, speech, etc. The input 702 may also include various drives and receptacles, such as flash drives, USB drives, CD / DVD drives, and other computer readable media receptacles, for receiving various data and information. To this end, the input 702 may also include various communication ports and modules, such as Ethernet™, Bluetooth™, or Wi-Fi™, for exchanging data and information with these and other external computers, systems, devices, machines, mainframes, servers, or networks.

[0056] In addition to being configured to perform various steps for operating the hair transplant system 700, the processor 704 may also be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 706 of the non-transitory computer readable medium 718. The instructions executable by the processor 704 may correspond to various instructions for completing a hair transplant procedure. Although the non-transitory computer readable medium 718 is shown in FIG. 14 to include the memory 706, it will be understood that the instructions executable by the processor 704 may additionally or alternatively be stored in another data storage location comprising the non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0057] In some aspects, the processor 704 may be configured to receive and process image data from a subject 720, such as a donor or recipient, acquired by the imaging system 716 to identify hair follicles and follicle orientations within a donor site of a donor and to determine implantation locations and required implantation angles within a recipient site of a recipient. In some aspects, the processor 704 may access information and data, including video signals stored in or transmitted by the imaging system 716 and / or the user interface 714. In some aspects, the imaging system 716 may acquire either a single image or a continuous video signal, for example, using a camera, an infrared scanning system, or any other image acquisition or video recording device that can be used to periodically image and / or scan and / or continuously record the subject 720.

[0058] The output 708 of the hair implantation system 700 is configured to actuate the operation of a matrix 710 of hair implantation devices 712. As such, the output 708 may include various robotic devices capable of manipulating and driving the hair implantation devices 712 to actuate the extraction of hair follicles from a donor site, the creation of an opening in a recipient, and the implantation of hair follicles into the opening in the recipient as described above with reference to any of the hair implantation devices 10, 300, 400, 500, and 600. The hair implantation devices 712 may be spaced approximately 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm apart from each other to provide a natural looking appearance to the hair implant distribution.

[0059] In this manner, a user 722, such as a doctor or other hair transplant practitioner, interacts with the user interface 714 to instruct the automated hair transplant system 700 to initiate a hair transplant procedure on the subject 720 in accordance with any of the devices and methods described herein.

[0060] 15-17, there are shown several different possible matrices that can be operated by the hair implantation system 700. As shown, the hair implantation system 700 can operate matrices of various shapes and configurations. In some embodiments, the hair implantation system 700 can operate a matrix 800 having a rectangular shape with evenly spaced hair implantation devices 802 as shown in FIG. 15. In some other embodiments, the hair implantation system 700 can operate a matrix 900 having a circular shape with evenly spaced hair implantation devices 902 as shown in FIG. 16. In some other embodiments, the hair implantation system 700 can operate a matrix 1000 having a circular shape with unevenly spaced hair implantation devices 1002 as shown in FIG. 17. Thus, the hair implantation system 700 can operate any shape or size of matrix with evenly or unevenly spaced hair implantation devices as required by a physician or other hair implantation practitioner.

[0061] For example, in some embodiments, pre-designed hair line grafts can be designed to be implanted all at the same time. For example, if it is desired to create a natural looking hair pattern such as a fringe, back comb, or any other desired hair pattern, a matrix can be designed with multiple hair implantation devices of the desired shape, distribution, and angle to create the desired hair pattern.

[0062] Additionally, the coring elements, disrupting elements and pins of the hair implantation devices in each array may each be linked such that the hair implantation system 700 can activate all of the coring elements, disrupting elements or pins simultaneously.

[0063] Alternatively, the hair implantation system 700 may be configured to rapidly actuate the hair implantation device 709 to create any desired hair line and / or hair pattern for each hair.

[0064] 18 and 19, various disruption devices and elements can be used in conjunction with or in place of the various disruption devices and elements described above to create an opening in the recipient site of the recipient. For example, in some embodiments, the disruption device 1100 can be provided with a disruption element 1102 that comprises a blade. The blade in these embodiments does not include a lumen and therefore does not need to be coaxially positioned with the coring needle. Similarly, in some embodiments, the disruption device 1200 can be provided with a handle 1202 and a disruption element 1204 that has a sharp stylet. Again, in these embodiments, the disruption element 1204 does not include a lumen and therefore does not need to be coaxially positioned with the coring needle.

[0065] 20A and 20B, there is shown a hair implantation device 1300 that is substantially similar to the hair implantation device 10. The hair implantation device 1300 has a housing 1302 that contains a coring element 1304, a severing element 1306 and a user interface 1308.

[0066] Housing 1302, coring element 1304, and user interface 1308 function similarly to housing 12, coring element 14, and user interface 18, respectively. However, disruption element 1306 differs slightly from disruption element 16 in structure and function.

[0067] In particular, the disrupting element 1306 comprises a distal cutting end 1310 having a pair of movable walls 1312 movable between a closed configuration in which the pair of movable walls 1312 form a distal cutting point 1314, as shown in FIG. 20A, and an open configuration in which the pair of movable walls 1312 are bent away from each other, as shown in FIG. 20B. The distal cutting end 1310 is naturally biased toward the closed configuration. In some cases, the pair of movable walls 1312 include two pointed semicircular pieces of metal connected to each other at one end. The disrupting element 1306 may be disposed about the shaft of the coring element 1304 and may be disposed such that the cutting tip of the coring element 1304 is offset from the cutting tip of the disrupting element 1306.

[0068] During the extraction procedure, the coring element 1304 can be forced into the distal cutting end 1310 to move the pair of moveable walls 1312 away from each other into an open configuration. With the coring element 1304 forced into the distal cutting end 1310, the coring element 1304 can be used to extract the dermal core 102 from the donor site 100. In some embodiments, with the coring element 1304 inserted into the donor site 100, the disrupting element 1306 can be advanced or the coring element 1304 can be retracted to allow the distal cutting end 1310 to move toward a closed configuration. Closing the distal cutting end 1310 in this manner can aid in the extraction of the dermal core 102 by cutting or gripping tissue at the dermal core 102.

[0069] The distal cutting end 1310 is in a closed configuration while forming an opening in the recipient site 200. When the distal cutting end 1310 is in the closed configuration, the distal cutting point 1314 severs the tissue of the recipient site 200 to form an opening. With the distal cutting end 1310 positioned within the tissue of the recipient site 200, the coring element 1304, which may include a skin core 102 as shown, can be forced into the distal cutting end 1310, which moves the pair of movable walls 1312 away from each other to an open configuration. With the coring element 1304 forced into the distal cutting end 1310, the skin core 102 can be implanted into the recipient site 200 at a desired depth within the recipient site 200, which allows for precise positioning of the skin core 102 within the scalp tissue of the recipient site 200. After the skin core 102 has been transplanted into the recipient site 200 , the hair implantation device 1300 can again be used to extract another skin core 102 from the donor site 100 .

[0070] In some embodiments, the pair of movable walls 1312 are made of a material that changes shape in response to an external trigger (e.g., temperature). As such, the pair of movable walls 1312 are configured to move between a closed configuration and an open configuration based on the heat memory of the material of the disrupting element 1306. For example, in some embodiments, the disrupting element 1306 can be configured to maintain the closed configuration when the disrupting element 1306 is at room temperature. Thereafter, when the disrupting element 1306 is inserted into tissue, a temperature increase associated with the tissue can move the disrupting element 1306 to the open configuration, thereby forming a channel in the recipient site 200 through which the skin core 102 can be implanted. In some embodiments, the disrupting element 1306 can be configured to maintain the open configuration at room temperature. Thereafter, when the disrupting element 1306 is inserted into tissue, a temperature increase associated with the tissue can move the disrupting element 1306 to the closed position, thereby aiding in the removal of the skin core 102 from the donor site 100.

[0071] 20C-20H, in some embodiments, the decoupling element 1306 is omitted, and the coring element 1304 includes a distal cutting end 1334 that is made of a material that changes shape in response to an external trigger (e.g., temperature) similar to the distal cutting end 1310. Thus, the distal cutting end 1334 can be opened prior to insertion into the donor site 100. Thereafter, when the distal cutting end 1334 is inserted into the donor site 100, the distal cutting end 1334 is configured to move to a closed configuration due to the thermal memory of the material. For example, the distal cutting end 1334 may comprise a bimetallic material or a combination of materials with different thermal expansion coefficients to naturally move between the open and closed configurations. In some embodiments, the bimetallic material may comprise steel and copper. In other embodiments, any other suitable material that provides the required thermal expansion properties may be used.

[0072] As the distal cutting end 1334 closes, the skin core is severed and captured within the coring element 1304. With the distal cutting end 1334 in the closed configuration, the coring element 1304 can be used to insert the skin core 102 into the recipient site 200. With the coring element 1304 inserted into the recipient site 200, the distal cutting end 1334 can be opened, for example, by heating or cooling the coring element 1304, allowing the coring element 1304 to be withdrawn, leaving the skin core 102 behind.

[0073] 21A and 21B, a coring needle 1430 is shown. The coring needle 1430 is configured for use with any of the devices, systems, and methods described herein. As shown, the coring needle 1430 includes a plurality of cutting edges 1436. In the illustrated non-limiting example, the coring needle 1430 may include four cutting edges 1436 (shown in FIG. 21A) or three cutting edges 1436 (shown in FIG. 21B). In other examples, the coring needle 1430 may include more than four cutting edges 1436 or less than three cutting edges 1436, as desired in a particular procedure.

[0074] Using fewer cutting edges 1436, the epidermal region may be cut into a semi-oval shape during extraction. This results in a larger skin core being extracted from the donor site 100 compared to a perfectly round skin core. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial to minimize the size of the skin core during extraction. In these cases, increasing the number of cutting edges 1436 may result in a more uniform diameter of the extracted skin core. The additional cutting edges 1436 increase the force required to drive the coring needle 1430 into the scalp tissue.

[0075] 21C, in some other embodiments, a flat wire 1450 can be used to further aid in the removal of the skin core 102 from the donor site 100. The flat wire 1450 can be advanced to aid in cutting, tearing, and / or separating the skin core 102 from the donor site 100. In the illustrated non-limiting example, one flat wire 1450 is positioned on the outside of the coring needle 1430. In other non-limiting examples, there may be two opposing wires positioned either on the inside or outside of the coring needle 1430. In this case, as the two wires advance along the coring needle 1430, they move toward each other to cut or grab the skin core 102 to aid in removal.

[0076] 22A-22C, another coring element 1514 is illustrated. The coring element 1514, or multiple coring elements similar to the coring element 1514 in some devices, may be employed in a handheld or automated hair implantation device, such as any of the devices, systems, and methods described herein. The coring element 1514 includes a coring needle 1530 and a spring 1532.

[0077] During the extraction procedure, the spring 1532 can be used to actuate the coring needle 1530 in a spring loaded manner. For example, in the illustrated non-limiting example, the spring 1532 is coupled between a proximal face 1534 of the coring needle 1530 and a corresponding surface 1538 on the hair implantation device, such as a user interface. As shown in FIG. 22A, the spring 1532 is initially stretched beyond its natural length, thereby causing the coring needle 1530 to be spring loaded. With the coring needle 1530 positioned and aligned over the donor site 100, the spring 1532 is quickly released from the surface 1538, thereby creating a transfer force to move the coring needle 1530, or in some embodiments, a group of needles, into the donor site 100.

[0078] In some embodiments, a pin 1540 or multiple pins may be included within the coring element 1514 or multiple coring elements, and a distal end of the spring 1532 may be connected to the pin 1540, such that pulling back on the spring 1532 creates a suction force on the coring element 1514 to assist in extracting the skin core(s) 102 from the donor site 100.

[0079] During the implantation procedure, a coring element(s) 1514 similar to the disruption elements described above and a corresponding disruption element (not shown) may be positioned over the recipient site 200. The spring 1532 is similarly used to be re-stretched or loaded and then move both the disruption needle of the disruption element and the coring needle 1530 disposed therein into the tissue. In some embodiments, a pin 1540 may be disposed inside the spring 1532 and actuated to implant the skin core 102 into the recipient site 200. In some other embodiments, the spring 1532 may be disposed externally.

[0080] Prior to the transplantation procedure, a hollow spike or a series of hollow spikes may be used to form a keyhole in the recipient site 200. The spike may be positioned over the recipient site 200, and the skin core 102 in the coring needle may be placed into the recipient site 200 through the spike using a pin. In some embodiments, the spike may be comprised of two halves held together by a spring-loaded mechanism (e.g., similar to that in a clothes peg) so that the spikes can be opened and removed after the skin core 102 is placed into the recipient site 200.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B, in some embodiments, the skin core 102 can be embedded in a shaped spike 1600 created using a mold 1602. The shaped spike 1600 has a spiked shape that facilitates insertion into the recipient site 200. The shaped spike 1600 may have ridges or flanges 1604 to aid in anchoring them into the recipient site 200. The shaped spike 1600 may be composed of a biomaterial / polymeric material that has a freezing temperature lower than the skin temperature but not low enough to damage the skin (e.g., room temperature). Thus, the shaped spike 1600 may be formed around the skin core 102 and then forced into the recipient site 200. In some embodiments, the shaped spike 1600 can be forced into the recipient site using a mining or compressed air mechanism. Such a mechanism may function similarly to a stapler or nail gun.

[0082] In some embodiments, the devices, systems, and methods described herein may be automated, for example, using a robotic system. For example, a medical robotic arm may be utilized to increase the precision of the processes described herein. For example, a series of coring needles may be robotically mounted on the end of an arm. The coring needles may be configured such that each coring needle is angled relative to one another or positioned to move toward or away from one another. The robotic arm may be controlled by computer vision (i.e., a camera may be used to align the robotic arm along the hair axis or axes).

[0083] In some non-limiting examples, the camera can be a standard Cmos camera or an OCT imaging device. With an OCT imaging device, the robotic arm can be more precisely aligned with the hair axis due to the ability of OCT imaging to see vertically into the tissue. Once the skin core is extracted, the robotic arm can position itself above the recipient site for hair transplantation. A computer image of the recipient site can also be acquired that shows the patient's natural hair line and can guide the location where the hair should be transplanted. The ability of the needles to move independently allows for better shaping and following the natural hair line. In some embodiments, the patient can be positioned on a support or lying down to limit movement during this process.

[0084] In this manner, the devices, systems, and methods described herein allow a user to repeatedly extract at least one hair follicle from a donor site, create at least one opening in a recipient site, and implant the at least one hair follicle into the at least one opening using a single device without physically manipulating the at least one hair follicle. Thus, the devices, systems, and methods allow for more efficient, reliable, and predictable hair transplant procedures compared to conventional devices, systems, and methods.

[0085] While the invention has been described herein in terms of one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. a coring needle forming a coring lumen configured to extract hair follicles from a donor site on a donor; a housing at least partially surrounding the coring needle; a user interface extending from the housing and movable relative to the coring needle to push the hair follicle out of the coring lumen and into a recipient site of a subject; the coring needle having a distal cutting end; The hair implantation device, wherein the distal cutting end is configured to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on a heat memory of a material of the distal cutting end.

2. 10. The hair implantation device of claim 1, wherein the material of the distal cutting end comprises a bimetallic material or a combination of materials with different thermal expansion coefficients to naturally move between the open and closed configurations.

3. 1. A hair transplantation system comprising a matrix in which a plurality of hair transplantation devices are arranged to perform a plurality of extractions and transplantations of hair follicles in a coordinated manner, Each of the plurality of hair implantation devices comprises: a coring needle forming a coring lumen configured to extract a hair follicle from a donor site on a subject; a needle configured to create an opening in a recipient site of the subject; a user interface movable relative to the coring lumen to push the hair follicle through the coring lumen and into the opening in the recipient site, thereby implanting the hair follicle into the recipient site; and Equipped with the coring needle having a distal cutting end; 11. A hair implantation system, comprising: a distal cutting end configured to be movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration based on a heat memory of a material of the distal cutting end.

4. 4. The hair transplant system of claim 3, wherein the multiple hair transplant devices are configured to simultaneously extract multiple hair follicles from the donor site, simultaneously create multiple openings in the recipient site, and simultaneously transplant the multiple hair follicles into the recipient site.

5. 5. The hair transplant system of claim 4, wherein the matrix forms a two-dimensional array of hair transplantation devices comprising tens, hundreds or thousands of hair transplantation devices configured to simultaneously extract tens, hundreds or thousands of hair follicles from the donor site, simultaneously create tens, hundreds or thousands of openings in the recipient site, and simultaneously transplant tens, hundreds or thousands of hair follicles into the recipient site.

6. 4. The hair implantation system according to claim 3, wherein the distribution and distance between the plurality of hair implantation devices in the matrix are adjustable.

7. The hair implantation system of claim 6, further comprising a controller configured to adjust the dispersion and the spacing between the plurality of hair implantation devices.

8. 4. The hair transplant system of claim 3, further comprising a controller configured to adjust an angle of the coring needle relative to the donor site or the recipient site to extract or transplant the hair follicle in a desired orientation.

9. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein for each of the hair implantation devices, the coring needle and the needle are coaxially arranged and movable relative to each other so that the coring needle and the needle can be selectively and individually positioned. The described hair transplant system.

10. 4. The hair transplant system of claim 3, wherein for each of the hair transplant devices, the user interface includes a pin forming a central lumen configured to provide suction within the coring lumen of the coring needle to extract the hair follicle from the donor site.

11. 4. The hair transplant system of claim 3, wherein for each of the hair transplantation devices, the user interface includes a pin forming a central lumen in fluid communication with the coring lumen of the coring needle for supplying gas or liquid into the coring lumen during implantation of the hair follicle into the recipient site.

12. 4. The hair transplant system of claim 3, wherein for each of the hair transplant devices, the user interface includes a pin forming a central lumen in fluid communication with the coring lumen of the coring needle for supplying gas or liquid into the coring lumen of the coring needle during extraction of the hair follicle from the donor site, thereby enabling long hairs to be maintained without being clipped by pushing the long hairs away from the coring needle during extraction of the hair follicle from the donor site.

13. 4. The hair transplant system of claim 3, wherein the matrix is ​​configured to simultaneously implant an entirety of pre-designed hair line grafts.

Images