A system and method for conveying and storing harvested hair follicles

Abstract

Presented herein is a system and method for conveying, sorting, and storing harvested hair follicles. The system and the method allow the insertion of hair follicles intended for transplantation one by one either manually or automatically, taking a picture of the follicle, processing the image, making a decision on how to route the follicle in the specific direction so that it enters the storage matrix with the root down and the end of the hair sticking out (a decision whether to turn the follicle or leave it in the original direction of flow is made), finally to sort it into a desired amount of categories, and to store the follicle in a matrix that is delivered to a surgeon for re-implantation in the patient's scalp. All of these steps are carried out without mechanical contact in to the follicle by using flow paths within a system of tubes and electric valves.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING AND STORING HARVESTED HAIR FOLLICLES

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of hair transplants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for conveying, sorting and storing harvested hair follicles.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Nowadays, in conventional hair transplant systems and methods, from the stage of harvesting (removing) the hair follicles from the patient's scalp by doctors to their re-implantation in the patient, there are several actions that the staff assisting the doctors performs. This include: harvesting the follicles, washing them, sorting them and arranging them for re-implantation. Doctors use different methods to re-implant the follicles in the patient's scalp. In one method, the staff manually loads the follicles one by one into a device, which is a sort of cylinder with a plunger, and the doctor inserts the tip of the device containing the follicles into pre-prepared holes in the patient's scalp and presses the follicles from the device into the holes in the patient's scalp. Some doctors pull out the follicles from a pile or a group of follicles and transplant them into the patient's scalp with tweezers one by one. Other doctors pull out the follicles that are arranged in rows on a substrate, ready for transplantation. With the latter method, by photographing the orderly rows of follicles, it is possible to provide proof to the customer that the amount of follicles that the doctor committed to implant was indeed implanted in the patient's scalp (except for the amount of follicles that did not survive).

[0006] In conventional methods, the hair follicle is removed from the patient's scalp from areas rich in hair (areas with high density of hair) to be transplanted in sparse hair areas or balding areas. The follicle is a small and delicate element, which is separated from the patient's scalp by a special cup drill (a drill with a round knife in the shape of a cup) from the tissues of the patient's scalp. The follicle is removed by the cup-drill along with part of the scalp tissue, by mechanically digging into the scalp. The face diameter of a typical cup drill is, for example, 0.8mm, which means that the diameter of the tissue starts at 0.8mm and decreases (there are areas where the hair is connected to a very thin layer of tissue). After removal, the removed follicles are stored on a substrate that preserves them. In the next step, the follicles are manually sorted by visual examination (e.g., by using a microscope). After the sorting, the most qualified follicles are taken to the surgeon for transplantation. Follicles with hair that grows straight (not diagonally), and follicles that contain more than a single hair are the most qualified.

[0007] After the follicles are harvested from the patient's scalp, they are stored on a substrate that preserves them until the transplant surgery and, on the day of the surgery, they are conveyed from the substrate to the surgeon who implants them in the patient's scalp. The conventional methods of conveying follicles (to and from the substrate) involve the use of mechanical instruments. These mechanical instruments can damage the hair or the follicle's root because the follicle is a small and delicate element. The mechanical instruments can break the hair, crack it, dislodge it from the follicle's root, or detach it from the tissue around the root. In this case, the follicle can be disqualified and will not be suitable for transplantation. Furthermore, manually loading the follicles on the substrate one by one using mechanical instruments is cumbersome and takes a lot of time. Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient and faster solution for conveying and storing harvested hair follicles that saves time and enables the treatment of the follicles intended for transplantation without causing damage to the hair in the follicle and to the root.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for conveying and storing harvested hair follicles, while maintaining the integrity of the follicles, the integrity of the hair, and the integrity of the tissue near the follicles' roots.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for conveying and storing harvested hair follicles, which sorts the follicles in an efficient and fast way, during the conveying process.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for conveying and storing harvested hair follicles, which stores the follicles vertically so that the root of the follicle faces downwards to protect the root, preserve it, and provide it with living conditions.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the invention are described in detail in the following sections.

[0012] Summary of the Invention

[0013] Disclosed herein is a system for conveying, sorting, and storing harvested hair follicles. The system comprises: a) a follicle reception part located at the top of the system configured for receiving harvested follicles; b) a collection tank located at the bottom of the system configured for storing liquid and for collecting excess liquid that is not consumed by the system; c) a pump configured to draw liquid from the collection tank and to pump liquid into the follicle reception part for creating fluid circulation in the system and controlling the flow of liquid through the system; d) a plurality of tubes, configured to convey hair follicles and liquid through the system; e) a plurality of electric valves configured to allow and prevent entrance of liquid into the tubes and control the flow direction of liquid and hair follicles through the system; f) a photo station configured to allow each hair follicle to be stopped and photographed; g) a light source configured to illuminate the photo station; h) a camera configured to take photographs of hair follicles at the photo station; i) a processing and control system configured to analyze the photographs and, based on the results of the analyzation, control the operation of the system to insure smooth flow of harvested hair follicles through the system; and j) a filter located between the collection tank and the pump.

[0014] In this system the follicles are sorted according to the following categories: invalid follicle, follicle containing a single hair, and follicle containing more than a single hair.

[0015] In this system all follicles enter the follicle storage matrix with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protruding upwards.

[0016] In embodiments of the system the follicle reception part comprises one of: a) a funnel into which harvested follicles are inserted one at a time; and b) a serial feeding device, into which groups of follicles are inserted.

[0017] In embodiments of the system the serial feeding device comprises: a) an outer liquid container comprising: an inlet and an outlet liquid connection, a bottom surface that slopes towards a low area, and guide ridges on the bottom surface; b) a carousel comprising a bottomless circular wall with vertical blades on its inner surface; c) an inlet pipe configured to direct liquid to strike the blades of the carousel causing it to rotate; d) a hollow hub comprising multiple hollow vacuum pipes with vacuum nozzles at their tips that projecting radially outwards from the hub; e) a motor configured to drive a belt and pulley system that rotates the hub; f) a vacuum pump and vacuum line configured to create a vacuum inside the vacuum pipes; g) a collection funnel configured to receive hair follicles from the vacuum pipes and transfer the hair follicles and liquid to the system of claim 1; h) a liquid inlet that transfers liquid to a washing tube located above the collection funnel, the washing tube configured to rinse organic residue from a follicle held by vacuum to a vacuum nozzle and to aid the follicle to drop into the collection funnel when the vacuum to the vacuum pipe is stopped to release the follicle from the nozzle

[0018] In embodiments of the system the processing and control system comprises: a) image processing, data analysis, and decision making software configured for processing the photos, making decisions regarding the quality and direction of each hair follicle in the photo section, assigning identification numbers to each follicle, assigning corresponding identification numbers of the location each follicle in the storage matrices and classifying each follicle into one of three main categories; b) at least one data storage device configured to store: camera images, the follicle identification numbers, the location numbers of each follicle in the storage matrices, the classifications to categories of each hair follicle, and data relating to operation of the system and to the hair follicles that are conveyed through system 100 and are stored in it; and c) communication devices configured for wired or wireless communication between the processing and control system, components of the system, and remote locations.

[0019] In embodiments of the system the photo station comprises: a) an inlet tube configured to allow liquid containing a hair follicle to flow into a longitudinal channel through the center of the photo station and to allow the hair follicle to exit the photo section if the follicle enters the photo station with the attached hair first and the root last; b) two sides tubes configured allow liquid to flow to stop the follicle at the center of the photo station; and c) an outlet tube configured to allow the hair follicle to exit the photo section if the follicle enters the photo section with the root first and the attached hair last. Embodiments of the system comprise a least one of: a) a filtration system configured to filter liquid flowing through the system; b) a system configured for cooling liquid flowing through the system; and c) a system configured to handle air bubbles that form inside the liquid flowing through the system.

[0020] In embodiments of the system the flow speed of the liquid that flows through the system after entering the follicle reception part is affected by gravity only.

[0021] Embodiments of the system comprise an additional collection tank, tubes, and a Venturi pump.

[0022] In embodiments of the system the walls of the photo station are made of polycarbonate.

[0023] In embodiments of the system the pump is a peristaltic pump.

[0024] In embodiments of the system the electric valves are solenoid valves.

[0025] Presented herein also is a method for utilizing a system to convey, sort, and store harvested hair follicles, the method comprising: a) inserting hair follicles into the system through a follicle reception part; b) moving the follicle towards a photo station through tubes coming out of the bottom of the follicle reception part; c) moving the hair follicle into the photo station and stopping of the hair follicle in the center of the photo station; d) illuminating the photo station with a light source; e) photographing the follicle with a camera; f) sending the camera image to a processing and control system; g) activating a processor to utilize image processing, data analysis, and decision making software process the photos, make decisions regarding the quality and direction of each hair follicle in the photo section, assign an identification number to each follicle and classifying each follicle into one of three main categories; h) saving in a data storage device the camera images, the follicle identification numbers, the classifications to categories of each hair follicle, and the decisions regarding the quality and direction of each hair follicle in the photo section; i) utilizing the decision made by the processor on the directionality of the follicle to activate a controller to open and specific electric valves in the system to direct the flow of liquid containing the follicle out of the photo station and into a cartridge of a follicle storage matrix with the root of the follicle downwards; and j) activate the processing and control system to assign and save in the data storage device an identification number of the location of each follicle in the storage matrices.

[0026] In this method the follicles are sorted according to the following categories : invalid follicle, follicle containing a single hair, and follicle containing more than a single hair.

[0027] In this method all follicles enter the cartridge in the follicle storage matrix with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protruding upwards.

[0028] In embodiments of the method the follicle reception part is a funnel and insertion of the follicles to the system is done manually inserting one follicle at a time into the funnel.

[0029] In embodiments of the system the follicle reception part is a serial feeding device and insertion of the follicles to the system is done automatically by inserting bunches of follicles into the serial feeding device.

[0030] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] The above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limitative detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0032] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the system for conveying and storing harvested hair follicles;

[0033] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective top view of the photo station in which harvested follicles are photographed;

[0034] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective cross-section top view of the photo station; Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the middle part of the system with a top view of the storage matrices;

[0035] Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the lower part of the system;

[0036] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a follicle storage matrix, in which the harvested follicles are stored until the transplantation surgery;

[0037] Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 schematically shows a serial feeding device is configured to feed harvested hair follicles into the system 100 of Fig. 1;

[0038] Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the output section of the serial feeding device of Fig. 7; and

[0039] Fig. 10 schematically shows an arrangement of two cameras configured to provide images of the photo station.

[0040] Detailed Description of the Present Invention

[0041] The present invention relates to a system and a method for conveying, sorting, and storing harvested hair follicles.

[0042] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of system 100, for conveying, sorting, and storing harvested hair follicles. Pump 1 is, for example, a peristaltic pump that works continuously and non-stop to create fluid circulation in the system. Pump 1 draws liquid (for example: water, distilled water, or a saline solution (salt water, which is a sterile solution that cleans and protects the follicles) through tube lb from a collection tank 9 upwards to a follicle reception part of the system, e.g. a funnel 2, through tube la so that the sides of funnel 2 are constantly washed with liquid. Funnel 2 has two exit tubes (that are made from silicone, for example): tube 3, in which liquid flows with hair follicles that have been inserted into funnel 2 and they continue to flow through tube 3a towards the photo station 7, and tube 4 which is a larger diameter excess tube, that leads the excess liquid that the system does not consume directly to the collection tank 9, which, for example, can be similar to a bathtub. The insertion of harvested follicles to funnel 2 may be done manually one by one, or automatically by a serial feeding device, into which groups of follicles are inserted and transferred from the feeding element / device into funnel 2 one by one. The serial feeding device, which will be described herein below with respect to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, separates the follicles from each other and schedules their entry into the system one after the other, at certain regular time intervals (for example: one follicle per second). The separation between the follicles and their entrance one by one into funnel 2 and the liquid flowing out of it through tube 3 prevents the follicles from getting stuck and enables their smooth and good flow through the various tubes of the system. In addition, the spacing between the times that consecutive follicles enter funnel 2 assures that only a single follicle will reach the photo station 7 at a time. This prevents a situation where two follicles will be photographed together, and further prevents the entry of more than a single hair follicle into each cartridge lib (Fig. 6) in the follicle storage matrix 10a or 10b at the bottom of system 100.

[0043] The system 100 also contains a processing and control system 101. Processing and control system 101, comprises at least one processor containing image processing, data analysis, and decision making software; at least one data storage device; at least one controller configured to receive information from the processor and convert it to signals that activate the electronic valves, cameras, and other components of system 100; and communication devices configured for wired or wireless communication between processing and control system 101, components of system 100, and remote locations, processing and control system 101 is configured to control the operation of the system to insure sooth flow of harvested hair follicles through it and to analyze and store in its databases and transmit to remote locations camera images and other data relating to operation of the system and to the hair follicles that are conveyed through system 100 and are stored by it. Processing and control system 101 may be, for example, a personal computer, a laptop computer, or a dedicated device.

[0044] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective top view of the surroundings of photo station 7 connected to various tubes of the system 100. Light source 8 illuminates the photo station 7 from the bottom, the light penetrates the transparent walls of the photo station 7, and camera 6 takes a photo of the hair follicle when it stops in the center or close to the center of the photo station 7.

[0045] Fig. 10 schematically shows an arrangement of two cameras 6 configured to provide images of the center section of photo station 7 from above and below. In this arrangement the cameras 7 contain integral light sources 8, e.g. mini-LED light sources forming a ring around the camera lens.

[0046] Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective cross-section top view of photo station 7 with its covered removed. The photo station 7 is a closed cell, which is illuminated by a light source (for example, from the bottom by light source 8) and is covered with walls made of transparent material (for example, polycarbonate), which enables the light from light source 8 to go through it. Because the sides, the top, and the bottom of the photo station 7 are transparent it is possible to see its internal spaces and to take photos of the follicle by camera 6. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the middle part of the system with a top view of the photo station 7 and the storage matrices 10a and 11a.

[0047] Referring to Figs. 1-4, a hair follicle is inserted into funnel 2 flows downwards through tube 3, which splits into two different tubes: 3a and 3b. Through tube 3b, only liquids pass, no follicles. Electric valves 5a, 5d and either 5g or 5f are open and electric valves 5b, 5c, 5e and either 5g or 5f respectively are closed. In this configuration of the electric valves liquid containing the hair follicle 12 flows through tube 3a via valve 5a and tube 3al into a longitudinal channel through the center of the photo station 7 where it stops at or close to the middle of the photo station 7 as shown in Fig. 3.

[0048] To stop the follicle 12 at the center of photo station 7, (as shown in Fig. 3), there are two additional side tubes 3dl and 3d2. After the camera system confirms that a follicle 12 has entered photo station 7, valves 5c and 5a are closed and valve 5b is opened allowing liquid to flow through tubes 3b and 3d. Tube 3d is divided into side tubes 3dl and 3d2 Allowing liquid to continue to flow through the two side tubes 3dl and 3d2 into the sides of photo station 7. In the sides of tubes 3dl and 3d2 there are very narrow slits that allow the passage of the liquid into the interior of photo station 7, but do not allow the passage of the hair follicles. Since the follicle will flow and move only in places where there is liquid flow and will not reach places where the liquid is stagnant and not flowing i.e., in the area inside photo station 7 where there is no straight liquid flow but only lateral flow to the sides. Because the follicle cannot pass through the sides of photo station 7 due the narrow slits in tubes 3dl and 3d2, the follicle will not move and will stop close to the center of photo station 7.

[0049] There are cases in which an inertia phenomenon occurs, in which the follicle continues a little forward towards tube 3ci and passes the center of photo station 7 in the direction of the continuation of the flow. This inertia phenomenon occurs because in the center of photo station 7 there is a section of tube 3a, for example, in which there is liquid, but the electric valve 5c is still closed; therefore, at this moment, there is no liquid flow forward to the left in tube 3cl. For that reason, the follicle 12 returns to the center of photo station 7 due to the light flow which it still senses from the liquid in the tubes 3a and 3c. Therefore, in both cases, with or without the occurrence of the inertia phenomenon, the follicle 12 stops at the center of photo station 7 as the liquid continues to flow out of photo station 7 through the side tubes 3di and 3d2downwards to the collection tank 9, which collects the excess liquid of the system.

[0050] After the follicle 12 is photographed by camera 6, the photo is saved and sent to computerized software in processing and control system 101 that performs image processing, assigns an identification number to each follicle and saves the identification number in a computerized memory. In the image processing process, the follicle's quality and directionality is checked and a decision is made regarding in which direction the follicle will continue to flow downwards to the follicle storage device 10. This data is recorded in the memory of processing and control system 101 together with the individual identification number. This process is repeated for each follicle inserted into the system 100.

[0051] The image processing and / or computer vision of the follicle image taken at photo station 7 methods employed in processing and control system 101 are not part of the present invention. These methods can be performed, for example by using artificial intelligence (Al) or by neural network algorithms. The characterization of the follicle is carried out according to several criteria including: the number of hairs that the follicle contains- and whether the follicle is associated with foreign matter, e.g., hairs that do not contain a root, or contain organic residue, e.g. blood, oxygen, fat and other properties of body tissues. As said previously, all the information is saved in a memory and can be used in the future, for example, for statistics.

[0052] Along with all the criteria above, as aforesaid, the image processing includes the direction of the follicle in photo station 7. A major function of system 100 is to store individual follicles in a follicle storage matrix 10a or 10b with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protrudes upwards. To accomplish this, control and processing and control system 101 is configured to activate the valves of system 100 according to one of two options for directing the continuity of the flow of the liquid and follicles from the photo station 7 to the follicle storage device 10, depending on the direction in which the follicle has arrived at photo station 7. The two options are: option one - the follicle arrives with the base of the follicle that contains the root of the hair facing tube 3cl; and option 2 - the follicle arrives with the base of the follicle that contains the root of the hair facing tube al.

[0053] Fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the lower part of system 100. In particular are seen follicle storage device 10, which in this version of system 100 comprises two storage matrices 10a and 10b. The photo of the follicles at the photo station 7 is done through a liquid, so system 100 is configured to treat blood residues on the hair follicles and tissues. System 100 makes sure that the flowing liquid does not become cloudy after feeding a certain amount of follicles and filters the blood out through a filter to keep the saline liquid clear to allow photography with camera 6 through it. These functions are performed by a filtration system, 219 which is symbolically shown in tube lb in Fig. 1. The filtration system can be located between collection tank 9 and pump 1 to insure that the liquid entering the funnel 2 does not contain any foreign particles.

[0054] Other equipment, which also is symbolically shown as 219 in Fig. 1 that can be located in the vicinity of the collection tank 9 and pump 1 is a system for cooling the liquid flowing in the system 100 to keep the follicles optimally, at a desired temperature, e.g. about 4 degrees centigrade, throughout the treatment of the follicles in system 100 and their storage. System 100 also is configured to handle air bubbles that form inside the liquid flowing through the system.

[0055] Referring now to Figs.l, 2, and to Fig. 5, the two options for moving the follicle forwards through system 100 after it is photographed are:

[0056] A. In option 1 the follicle has to continue forward, i.e. in the same direction that it arrived In this option, electric valves 5a, 5d and one of 5g or 5f are closed, electric valve 5e remains closed, and electric valves 5b, 5c and 5g or 5f respectively are opened, so that the liquid flows through tubes 3 to 3b to 3d to 3di and 3d2to 3ci, to 3c2, to 3e and respectively, to 3ei or 3e2, depending on which electric valve is open. At this moment, the liquid flows inside the photo station 7 from the sides and out form photo station 7 and the follicle exits through tube 3ciand continues to tube 3c2downwards towards the follicle storage device 10, and thus the follicle enters one of the follicle storage matrices 10a or 10b with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protrudes upwards, out of the storage matrix.

[0057] B. In option 2, the follicle has to reverse direction, i.e. to continue through system 100 in the opposite direction from which it entered the photo station 7. In this mode electric valves 5a, 5d, 5c and 5g or 5f respectively are closed, and electric valves 5b, 5e and one of 5g or 5f respectively are open, so that the liquid flows through tubes 3a to 3b, to 3d, to 3di, and 3d2to 3a2, to 3e and respectively, to 3e! or 3e2, depending on which electric valve is open. At this moment the liquid flows inside the photo station 7 from the sides out and the follicle exits through tube 3a! and continues to tube 3a2downwards towards the follicle storage device 10, and thus the follicle enters the follicle storage matrix 10a or 10b with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protrudes upwards, out of the storage matrix.

[0058] Thus, in both options, the follicle enters the storage matrix 10 with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protrudes out of the storage matrix upwards.

[0059] After the follicle is photographed by camera 6 in photo station 7, and the photo is sent to be processed by the computerized software, this software ranks and classifies (sorts) each follicle into categories, for example: an invalid follicle, a follicle containing a single hair, a follicle containing more than a single hair, etc. The system 100 described herein is adapted for sorting and classifying the follicles according to three main categories, for example: follicles containing a single hair, or follicles containing more than a single hair. According to the category in which each follicle was classified, the follicle is conveyed to a follicle storage matrix assigned to that category, either 10a or 10b. The structure of the storage matrices is described in detail in Fig. 6.

[0060] A follicle containing more than a single hair is considered a higher quality follicle, a fact that will be taken into account when performing the re-transplant of the follicles on the patient's scalp. Furthermore, when the image is being processed by computerized software, the integrity of the follicle, the tissue around the root, and the integrity of the hair itself is checked. In cases of a fracture or crack of the hair or the root of the hair, the follicle is rejected because it is not suitable for transplantation and classified as invalid follicle.

[0061] In this embodiment of the present invention, as aforesaid, the follicles are classified (sorted) into two different categories. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system can sort and classify the follicles according to an unlimited number of categories, by for example, changing the splitting of tubes 3e (3el, 3e2) from a triangular split to a quadruple or pentagonal split and so on, together with an appropriate number of electric valves. The third category comprises invalid follicles, i.e. follicles not suitable for transplantation for example those with no hairs. These can be ejected from the system, either by adapting it to comprise three follicle storage matrices as discussed above or by ejecting them directly into the storage tank as described herein below. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the two storage matrices 10b in the follicle storage device 10. The storage matrix 10a is identical to the one shown in Fig. 6. In this example follicle storage matrix 10b comprises five vertical cartridges 11a, each of which has a vertical bore lib configured to receive a single hair follicle 12 and liquid that carries the follicle through system 100 from tube 3e2. Each cartridge has one or more narrow vertical slits 11c in its side to allow the liquid to drain out of the cartridge, leaving only the hair follicle 12 with its root at the bottom of bore lib and the attached hair extending upwards as schematically shown in the right hand cartridge. As said previously, other versions of follicle storage device 10 can comprise more or less than two storage matrices and each storage matrix can comprise more or less that five cartridges. In the present example, for example, storage matrix 10a can contain highly qualified follicles which contain more than a single hair and storage matrix 10b can contain follicles with a single hair. Each sorted follicle enters the suitable matrix 10a or 10b through tubes 3ei by opening electric valve 5f, or 3e2, by opening electric valve 5g, according to the classification it received in the image processing process by components of processing and control system 101. The location of each follicle in the storage matrices 10a and 10b is associated with the identification number of each follicle and saved in the memory.

[0062] After a follicle is deposited in a cartridge 11a, the follicle storage matrix 10b must be moved to place an empty cartridge under the outlet from tube 3e2. This can be done manually or by a mechanical system, for example comprising a lead screw and step motor, that automatically pushes the follicle storage matrix 10b one cartridge to the right after the previous cartridge 11a is filled with a follicle. Pin lObl and holes 10b2 symbolically represent a method for assuring proper alignment between bore lib and the outlet of tube 3e2 to insure that the hair follicle enters bore lib in cartridge 11a smoothly and without damage.

[0063] If an invalid follicle is detected in the photo station by the processing and control system 101, then it instructs the mechanical system in follicle storage device 10 to move the storage matrices 10a and 10b such that none of the cartridges 11a or lib will be under tubes 3el or 3e2 and the invalid follicle will fall directly into the liquid in the collection tank 9.

[0064] After inserting follicles one at a time into system 100 and each is photographed at the photo station, image processing is performed, and decisions about the direction that each follicle must be released from photo station 7, all the follicles are numbered and sorted so that the storage matrices 10a and 10b finally contain numbered follicles located in numbered cartridges 11a within the matrix. All the data about each follicle, their classification, and their locations in the storage matrices is stored in the memory of processing and control system 101. The storage matrices 10a and 10b containing the sorted and numbered follicles, along with the data stored in the memory, are delivered to the surgeon for re-implantation in the patient's scalp.

[0065] As described herein above with respect to Fig. 1, follicles are added manually one at a time into funnel 2 of system 100. Feeding follicles into system 100 can be automated by replacing funnel 2 with a serial feeding device 200, which is shown schematically from two different angles in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

[0066] Serial feeding device 200 comprises an outer liquid container 201 and a concentric inner carousel 205. Liquid, e.g. pure water or saline solution, from collection tank 9 (see Fig. 1) is circulated through liquid container 201 entering at connection 203 and exiting at connection 204 (or vice versa) and returning to collection tank 9. The bottom of outer liquid container 201 slopes downward towards a low area the location of which is indicated symbolically by the bold arrows on the outside of liquid container 201 in Figs. 7 and 8. Carousel 205 comprises a bottomless circular wall with vertical blades 206 on its inner surface. Liquid from collection tank 9 that enters through inlet pipe 207 strikes the blades 206 causing the carousel 205 to rotate inside outer liquid container 201. After a group of follicles, e.g. 50 follicles that have been harvested from the patient's scalp, are placed inside the carousel 205, the rotation of the carousel 205 stirs the liquid; separates the follicles in the group; washes blood, etc. off them; and, assisted by guide ridges 202 in the bottom of liquid container 201, directs the follicles to move to the lowest area in the floor of liquid container 201.

[0067] Serial feeding device 200 also comprises a hollow hub 211 from which projects radially outwards multiple, e.g. 5 to 50, hollow vacuum pipes 212 with vacuum nozzles 213 having openings smaller than the diameter of an average hair follicle at their tips. Vacuum pipes 212 are individually connected inside hub 211 to a vacuum pump that is connected to hub 211 through vacuum line 214. Hub 211 is rotated by means of a belt 210 and pulley 209 system driven by an electric step motor 208. As shown in the figures, the hub 211 is inclined with respect to liquid container 201. As a result, as hub 211 rotates each of the vacuum nozzles 213 travels a circular path consisting of the sequence: descending in air towards the surface the liquid in liquid container 201; submerged in the liquid; ascending out of the liquid into the air. The lowest point of this orbit is in the liquid at the lowest area in the floor of liquid container 201 to which the follicles have been directed. The highest point of this orbit, which is shown in an enlarged view in Fig. 9, is above collection funnel 217.

[0068] As the hub rotates, all vacuum pipes 212 are connected to vacuum line 214 so that when one of the vacuum pipes 212 enters the liquid it will suck liquid into its interior and its vacuum nozzle 213 may attract and grab a follicle. The word "may" is used here to emphasize that not every vacuum pipe 212 succeeds in grabbing a follicle. If a follicle is grabbed it moves upwards towards collection funnel 217 where the rotation of hub 217 is halted for a brief time and liquid flows via liquid inlet 216 to washing tube 215, which directs liquid onto the follicle and vacuum nozzle rinsing off any remaining blood, skin particles, etc. The vacuum is temporarily stopped only to this vacuum pipe 212 allowing the follicle to drop or be gently knocked off of the vacuum nozzle 213 by gravity or liquid from washing tube 215 into collection funnel 217 and to be swept out of collection funnel 217 and into tube 3 (see Fig. 1) through which it is transported through the system to the photo station 7 and eventually to the follicle storage device 10 (see Fig. 1).

[0069] Processing and control system 101 is configured to control the speed of step motor 208 for example by increasing speed if the camera image at photo station 7 reveals that only liquid arrives at photo station 7, i.e. one or several consecutive vacuum pipes have failed to capture follicles. The source of all liquid that enters serial feeding device 200 through inlets 203, 207 and 216 is pump 1; all liquid that exits serial feeding device 200 through outlet 204 and collection funnel 217 flows through the system to collection tank 9; and then, after being filtered is sent to pump 1 to be recycled through the system.

[0070] The flow pressure in system 100 is created without moving the liquid by after it enters the funnel 2 or the serial feeding device 200 means of a mechanical mechanism, such as a pump; because this can damage the quality of the follicles that flow through the various tubes and cause them to no longer be suitable for transplantation. The flow through the system 100 is affected by gravity only. More precisely, the flow speed is based on the height difference between funnel 2 or the serial feeding device 200 and the follicle storage device 10, because the flow path is open (i.e., an open system).

[0071] The system could be modified, mutatis mutandis, to comprise an additional collection tank, tubes, and a Venturi pump that would comprise a closed system in parallel to the open system through which the follicles are transported to circulate liquid without follicles, for example, through the side tubes of photo station 7.

[0072] Although embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be carried out with many variations, modifications, and adaptations, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A system for conveying, sorting, and storing harvested hair follicles, comprising: a) a follicle reception part located at the top of the system configured for receiving harvested follicles; b) a collection tank located at the bottom of the system configured for storing liquid and for collecting excess liquid that is not consumed by the system; c) a pump configured to draw liquid from the collection tank and to pump liquid into the follicle reception part for creating fluid circulation in the system and controlling the flow of liquid through the system; d) a plurality of tubes configured to convey hair follicles and liquid through the system; e) a plurality of electric valves configured to allow and prevent entrance of liquid into the tubes and control the flow direction of liquid and hair follicles through the system; f) a photo station configured to allow each hair follicle to be stopped and photographed; g) a light source configured to illuminate the photo station; h) a camera configured to take photographs of hair follicles at the photo station; i) a processing and control system configured to analyze the photographs and, based on the results of the analyzation, control the operation of the system to insure smooth flow of harvested hair follicles through the system; and j) a filter located between the collection tank and the pump; wherein: i) the follicles are sorted according to the following categories: invalid follicle, follicle containing a single hair, and follicle containing more than a single hair; and ii) all follicles enter the follicle storage matrix with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protruding upwards.2) The system according to claim 1, wherein the follicle reception part comprises one of: a) a funnel into which harvested follicles are inserted one at a time; and b) a serial feeding device, into which groups of follicles are inserted.3) The system according to claim 2, wherein the serial feeding device comprises: a) an outer liquid container comprising: an inlet and an outlet liquid connection, a bottom surface that slopes towards a low area, and guide ridges on the bottom surface; b) a carousel comprising a bottomless circular wall with vertical blades on its inner surface;c) an inlet pipe configured to direct liquid to strike the blades of the carousel causing it to rotate; d) a hollow hub comprising multiple hollow vacuum pipes with vacuum nozzles at their tips that projecting radially outwards from the hub; e) a motor configured to drive a belt and pulley system that rotates the hub; f) a vacuum pump and vacuum line configured to create a vacuum inside the vacuum pipes; g) a collection funnel configured to receive hair follicles from the vacuum pipes and transfer the hair follicles and liquid to the system of claim 1; h) a liquid inlet that transfers liquid to a washing tube located above the collection funnel, the washing tube configured to rinse organic residue from a follicle held by vacuum to a vacuum nozzle and to aid the follicle to drop into the collection funnel when the vacuum to the vacuum pipe is stopped to release the follicle from the nozzle.4) The system according to claim 1, wherein the processing and control system comprises: a) image processing, data analysis, and decision making software configured for processing the photos, making decisions regarding the quality and direction of each hair follicle in the photo section, assigning identification numbers to each follicle, assigning corresponding identification numbers of the location each follicle in the storage matrices and classifying each follicle into one of three main categories; b) at least one data storage device configured to store: camera images, the follicle identification numbers, the location numbers of each follicle in the storage matrices, the classifications to categories of each hair follicle, and data relating to operation of the system and to the hair follicles that are conveyed through system 100 and are stored in it; and c) communication devices configured for wired or wireless communication between the processing and control system, components of the system, and remote locations.5) The system according to claim 1, wherein the photo station comprises: a) an inlet tube configured to allow liquid containing a hair follicle to flow into a longitudinal channel through the center of the photo station and to allow the hair follicle to exit the photo section if the follicle enters the photo station with the attached hair first and the root last; b) two sides tubes configured allow liquid to flow to stop the follicle at the center of the photo station; andc) an outlet tube configured to allow the hair follicle to exit the photo section if the follicle enters the photo section with the root first and the attached hair last.6) The system according to claim 1 comprising a least one of: a) a filtration system configured to filter liquid flowing through the system; b) a system configured for cooling liquid flowing through the system; and c) a system configured to handle air bubbles that form inside the liquid flowing through the system.7) The system according to claim 1, wherein the flow speed of the liquid that flows through the system after entering the follicle reception part is affected by gravity only.8) The system according to claim 1 comprising an additional collection tank, tubes, and a Venturi pump.9) The system according to claim 1, wherein the walls of the photo station are made of polycarbonate.10) The system according to claim 1, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.11) The system according to claim 1, wherein the electric valves are solenoid valves.12) A method for utilizing a system to convey, sort, and store harvested hair follicles, the method comprising: a) inserting hair follicles into the system through a follicle reception part; b) moving the follicle towards a photo station through tubes coming out of the bottom of the follicle reception part; c) moving the hair follicle into the photo station and stopping of the hair follicle in the center of the photo station; d) illuminating the photo station with a light source; e) photographing the follicle with a camera;f) sending the camera image to a processing and control system; g) activating a processor to utilize image processing, data analysis, and decision making software process the photos, make decisions regarding the quality and direction of each hair follicle in the photo section, assign an identification number to each follicle and classifying each follicle into one of three main categories; h) saving in a data storage device the camera images, the follicle identification numbers, the classifications to categories of each hair follicle, and the decisions regarding the quality and direction of each hair follicle in the photo section; i) utilizing the decision made by the processor on the directionality of the follicle to activate a controller to open and specific electric valves in the system to direct the flow of liquid containing the follicle out of the photo station and into a cartridge of a follicle storage matrix with the root of the follicle downwards; and j) activate the processing and control system to assign and save in the data storage device an identification number of the location of each follicle in the storage matrices; wherein: i) the follicles are sorted according to the following categories : invalid follicle, follicle containing a single hair, and follicle containing more than a single hair; and ii) all follicles enter the cartridge in the follicle storage matrix with the root downwards and the tip of the hair protruding upwards.13) The method according to claim 12, wherein the follicle reception part is a funnel and insertion of the follicles to the system is done manually by inserting one follicle at a time into the funnel.14) The method according to claim 12, wherein the follicle reception part is a serial feeding device and insertion of the follicles to the system is done automatically by inserting bunches of follicles into the serial feeding device.

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