WO2013051015A2 - An improved hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke - Google Patents

An improved hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013051015A2
WO2013051015A2 PCT/IN2012/000412 IN2012000412W WO2013051015A2 WO 2013051015 A2 WO2013051015 A2 WO 2013051015A2 IN 2012000412 W IN2012000412 W IN 2012000412W WO 2013051015 A2 WO2013051015 A2 WO 2013051015A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
incisions
platform
hair transplantation
knife
instrument
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IN2012/000412
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2013051015A3 (en
Inventor
Pradipkumar Raghuvirsinh ATODARIA
Original Assignee
Atodaria Pradipkumar Raghuvirsinh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Atodaria Pradipkumar Raghuvirsinh filed Critical Atodaria Pradipkumar Raghuvirsinh
Publication of WO2013051015A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013051015A2/en
Publication of WO2013051015A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013051015A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/10—Hair or skin implants
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B17/32—Surgical cutting instruments
    • A61B17/3209—Incision instruments
    • A61B17/32093—Incision instruments for skin incisions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00743—Type of operation; Specification of treatment sites
    • A61B2017/00747—Dermatology
    • A61B2017/00752—Hair removal or transplantation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00969—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets used for transplantation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved manually operated hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke.
  • the present invention relates to an improved instrument containing - single or multiple platforms with multiple knife extensions for making multiple pre-formed slits/ incisions of the same direction, angle, depth and size at equidistant in which hair graft can be transplanted.
  • Hair transplantation surgical technique is known since past many years, which involves transplanting live individual hair follicles from one part of the body which is usually called the donor site to bald or balding parts which is usually called recipient site.
  • a strip is harvested from donor site first and donor site is closed by suturing the wound by surgeon. Then surgeon proceeds to make the slits/incisions in the area desired for hair transplantation. It is necessary to make such slits/ incisions in desired same direction, angle, depth and size at equidistance preventing damage to the important structures at deeper level. Technicians do the slivering and cutting of grafts and significant number of grafts are ready before the surgeon start making slits /incisions. The surgeon decides the size of slits/ incisions and distance to be kept between the slits/ incisions and rows of slits/ incisions after looking at the grafts. So the device needs to be assembled according to requirements.
  • the surgeon uses various type of blades or fine needles or knife to puncture the sites for receiving the grafts, placing them in a predetermined depth, size and angling the slits/ incisions in a manner to promote a realistic hair pattern. Usually this is done with single knife and surgeon needs to make thousands of such incisions keeping the desired direction, angle, depth at a desired distance. These repetitive, tedious job make the surgeon's hand and mind fatigue. So it is desirable to make multiple slits/incisions at single stroke causing reduction in the time taken for making slits and its precision which reduces the efforts and time required for transplantation procedure.
  • GRAFT SITE CUTTER comprises a first horizontal flat spongy flexible layer having upper and lower surfaces.
  • a second horizontal flat plastic layer also has upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface of the second layer being secured to the lower surface of the first layer.
  • a third horizontal flat spongy flexible layer also has upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface of the third layer being secured to the lower surface of the second layer.
  • a plurality of surgical cutting units are embedded in the layers in spaced apart positions, each unit having a plurality of knife elements having downwardly extending cutting points disposed within the third layer adjacent the lower surface. But the said invention uses multiple layers of sponge, plastic, metal and cutter knife blades to make multiple incisions for hair transplant.
  • the said apparatus makes a very high number of incisions over a relatively large area and does not allow to limit the number of incisions, reducing the ability to make incisions in different angles relative to scalp. Due to the said problems, the ability to control natural-looking placement and angular disposition of transplanted hair is limited with this apparatus.
  • V may cause damage to deeper vascular network due to excessive insertion of needle /blade.
  • IX. .Most of them do not provide flexibility to adjust the depth of the slits/ incisions without dismantling the instrument.
  • the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved manually operated hair transplantation instrument which contains single or multiple platforms with multiple knife extensions for making multiple preformed slits/incisions of the same direction, angle, depth and size at equidistant.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, wherein a single platform has multiple knife extensions (up to 20) which may be held by holding instrument such as blade holder, needle holder.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, having plurality of platform with knife extensions able to make up to 30 slits/incisions (preferably 5-6 knife extensions and 5-6 platforms) at one stroke reducing the time taken in making slits /incisions as well as in implanting the hair follicles.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, having carriers/ spacers of desired thickness to provide the desired distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, having plurality of platform with knife extensions which can be used alone without spacers by keeping the thickness of platform more than knife extensions.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument having a handle to hold multiple platforms with knife extensions along with desired thickness carrier/ spacer to make multiple rows of multiple slits /incisions at a desired distance of the same direction, angle, depth and size.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument having multiple platforms with knife extensions which are held at desired distance ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 mm.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, which may make multiple slits/incisions in significantly reduced time period without getting fatigue of hands and mind.
  • Yet another object of invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, which may avoid the need of medical epoxy and magnification to assemble the instrument and to provide ease for new technician in assembling the instrument.
  • Yet another object of invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, which can be easily assembled as. all parts of the instruments except platform with knife extensions are autoclavable whereas platform with knife extensions can be sterilized with Ethylene Oxide and alike.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument which can be incorporated with bar(sj at bottom of carrier/ spacer/ gaps between two respective rows of platform with knife extensions which facilitates the flexibility for transplanting hair with desired density while transplantation without dismantling the instrument.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument which can be incorporated with bar(s) at bottom of carrier/ spacer /gaps between two respective rows of platform with knife extensions which facilitates the flexibility to adjust the depth of the slits/incisions without dismantling the instrument.
  • Fig.1 Shows fragmented view of the slits/ incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
  • Fig.2 Shows perspective view of the slits/ incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
  • Fig3 Shows lateral view of the slits/incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
  • Fig.4 Shows bottom view of the slits/incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
  • Fig.5[A&B] Show respectively front and rear views of platform with knife extensions.
  • Fig.6 Shows front view of variation in the platform with knife extensions.
  • Fig.7 Shows the lateral view of platform with knife extension and its variations.
  • Fig.8 Shows front view of another variation in the platform with knife extensions. Show respectively the front and lateral views of variation in platform with knife extensions.
  • Notch (of bars 500, 510, 520)
  • Notch (of front plate 540 and rear plate 550)
  • Notch (of front plate 570 and rear plate 580)
  • An improved hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10 ⁇ / ⁇ ] for making multiple slits/incisions comprises of plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160], whereby the plurality of knife extensions [80] are identical and extending from the bottom of the platform.
  • the plurality of platform with knife extensions [130] are used alongwith plurality of carriers [240/260] incase of hair transplantation instrument [ 10a] and plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] are used alongwith plurality of spacers [360] incase of hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ], to keep the preferable distance between two respective rows of slits /incisions.
  • plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] can also be used alone for making multiple slits/ incisions without spacer [360], by keeping the thickness of the platforms more than the knife extensions [80] as shown in Fig.9[B].
  • a hair transplantation instrument [ 10 ⁇ ] is provided with plurality of gaps [470] at desired distance to accommodate the plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160].
  • Fig.5[A, B] respectively shows front view and rear view of platform with knife extensions [20] for making multiple slits/incisions
  • Fig.6 shows the front view of the platform with knife extensions [90], which is provided with plurality of holes [100].
  • [100] are made for holding the plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] with help of nut bolts [330].
  • the plurality of holes [100] can be made at various distances from upper border of the platform to provide preferable ergonomic angle as shown in Fig.13[E,H,I].
  • the distance between lateral points of the said plurality of holes [100] to lateral border of platform [90] are same.
  • Another variation in platform with knife extensions is shown as [ 130] in Fig.8, wherein the platform, on each side has equal angle above the lower border (bottom) of the platform for accommodation in carrier [240] as shown in Fig.1 and Fig.12 [E, F].
  • Yet another variation in platform with knife extensions is shown as [160] in Fig.10.
  • the platform with knife extensions [ 160] may have plurality of holes [230] same as plurality of holes [100] of the platform with knife extensions [90].
  • the platform with knife extensions [160] can replace any of platform with knife extensions [20/90] in hair transplantation instrument- [ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ].
  • the difference of distance between starting of platform - starting of first knife extension and the end of last knife extension - end of the platform is the mean of width of knife extension and distance between two respective knife extensions.
  • the said distance is kept to get the preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig.1 1 [B] by keeping front and rear sides of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] alternatively in the knife holding instrument.
  • the distance between the end point the last knife extension [60] and end of the platform [70] is the mean of width of starting point of the bottom of the platform and first knife extension [30] - End point of the first knife extension [40] and distance between end point of the first knife extension [40] - starting point of the second knife extension [50].
  • platform with knife extensions [ 160] as shown in
  • the difference between starting point of bottom of platform [170] - starting point of first knife extension [180] and end point of last knife extension [210] - end point of bottom of platform [220] is a mean of width of starting point of first knife extension [180] - end point of the first knife extension [190] and distance between end point of the first knife extension [190] - starting point of the second knife extension [200].
  • the number of plurality of knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] can vary from 2 to as many as
  • each knife extension in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary from 0.5 mm to 1.8 mm.
  • the length of each knife extension in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary from 2.5 mm to 8 mm.
  • the distance between each two of knife extensions in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] can vary from can vary from 0.3 to 1.8 mm.
  • the knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary in shape, thickness and curvature.
  • plurality of knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] are provided with cutting edge, either at only tip or on the side/s as shown in Fig.5[C], Fig.6, Fig.8 and Fig.10 respectively to make a row of multiple slits of equal size, depth, angle and direction.
  • the variations in plurality of knife extensions [80] are shown in Fig.5[C] whereby the shape of plurality of knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary from conical to rectangular.
  • the plurality of knife extensions [80] is preferably conical shape, as it causes the least damage to the important structures at deeper level in dermis from where blood vessels/ supply arrives.
  • the cross sectional view of the variations in plurality of knife extensions [80] is shown in Fig.5[D].
  • FIG.7 [A] lateral view of the platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is shown and its variation are shown in FIG.7 [B,C,D,E], wherein Fig.7 [B,C,D] show variations in upper angle [1 10] of the platform.
  • Use of the said variation of platform with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12[H,I,J,K,L], to fit into the variations of carrier [260].
  • Fig.7[E] shows extensions/ joints or adhesives [120] which may be used to hold the platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] or can be molded to serve the purpose of slit making.
  • Fig.11 [B] the preferable pattern of slits in the bald skin of scalp of the patient is shown, whereby the said pattern is made by using the present invention and which makes the transplanted hair looks more natural compared to the traditional pattern as shown in Fig.11 [A].
  • a hair transplantation instrument [10a] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke mainly comprises of: ⁇ Plurality of platform with knife extensions [ 130] ;
  • the embodiment of the present invention is to provide, a hair transplantation instrument [10a] for making multiple slits/ incisions comprises of platform with knife extensions [130] is mounted on carrier [240/260] in order to keep the preferable distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions [130] resulting into the preferable, fix distance between each two rows of pre-formed slits.
  • the carrier [240] is provided with a depressed area to accommodate and carry the platform with knife extensions [130] as shown in Fig. l , Fig.8 and Fig.12.
  • the platform with knife extensions [ 130] snugly fits into the depressed area (marked as hatched area) of the carrier [240].
  • Front and rear sides of platform with knife extensions [130] fits, into the depressed area of alternate carriers [240] as shown in Fig.12[0], to get preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig. l l[B].
  • the carrier [240] also serve the purpose of spacer [360] and its thickness can vary from 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm.
  • the carrier [240] has plurality of holes [250].
  • variation in the carrier is shown as [260], wherein the hatched depressed area is replaced by the horizontal slits [270] to accommodate the platform with knife extensions [130] through variation in upper angle [1 10] portion as shown in Fig.12 [L].
  • the lateral view of the carrier [260] with horizontal slits [270] is shown as Fig.12[H] and the lateral view of the carrier [260] with variation in horizontal slits [270] is shown as Fig.12 [J].
  • the lateral view of platform with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12 [I] and lateral view of variation in platform with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12[K].
  • the lateral view of carriers [260] carrying the platforms with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12 [L].
  • Both the carriers [240,260] are provided with the plurality of the holes [250] as shown in Fig.12[A, G] respectively at various distances from upper border of the said carriers [240,260] to provide preferable ergonomic angle as shown in Fig.12 [F, L] respectively.
  • Fig. l2[M] shows the front view of front plate [280] and rear plate [290] are provided to accommodate the bunch of plurality of carriers [240/260] carrying plurality of platforms with knife extensions [130]. Both the front plate [280] and rear plate [290] have plurality of upper holes [400], plurality of middle holes [410] and plurality of bottom holes [420].
  • plurality of middle holes [310] is same as of plurality of holes [250] in the carriers [240 ⁇ 260] and also the distance between the plurality of middle holes [310] is same as the distance between plurality of holes [250] of carrier [240 ⁇ 260], whereby the said holes [250] are for fixation of front plate [280] and rear plate [290] along with the platforms with knife extensions [ 130] mounted on the carriers [240 ⁇ 260].
  • Appropriate size of nut bolts [330] are used through plurality of holes (250) of the carriers [240 ⁇ 260], plurality of middle holes [310], plurality of bottom holes [320] of front plate [280] and rear plate [290] as shown in Fig.12 [N, O] for fixing the present hair transplantation instrument [10a].
  • the handle [340] is fixed to the front plate [280] and rear [290] plate, holding the bunch of plurality of carriers [240/260] carrying plurality of platforms with knife extensions [130] by fitting the nut bolts [330] through the plurality of upper holes [300] of as shown in Fig.12[N, O].
  • the bottom of the front plate [280] is provided with plurality of depth guard bolts [350] as shown in Fig.12 [ ⁇ , ⁇ , ⁇ ], for adjustment of the length of plurality of knife extensions [80] that can be pierced in the skin and to prevent over insertion of knife by controlling the depth of the slits/ incisions.
  • FIG.12 [N, O] shows respectively the lateral and front views of fully assembled hair transplantation instrument [10a] with front plate [280], rear plate [290], carriers [240] carrying plurality of platforms with knife extensions [130], plurality of depth guard bolts [350], plurality of nut bolts [330] and handle [340].
  • FIG.12 [P, Q] variation in the front plate [280] is shown, whereby plurality of rods [430] are fixed to the front plate [280] at the position of plurality of middle holes [310] shown in FIG.12[M], to ease out the procedure of assembling the hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ].
  • the plurality of holes [250] of the carriers [240/260] carrying the platforms with knife extensions [130] can be threaded on the plurality of rods [430] in appropriate manner and the said variation of the hair transplantation instrument [10a] can be used with the handle [340] similarly as in FIG.12[0].
  • a variation in hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke mainly comprises of:
  • Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide, a hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] for making multiple slits/ incisions, wherein each two platforms with knife extensions [90] are provided with spacers [360] in between, in order to keep the preferable distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions [90], resulting into the preferable fix distance between each two rows of preformed slits.
  • the platform with knife extensions [90] is provided with plurality of holes [100], which may be made at various distances from upper border of the platform with knife extensions [90] to provide preferable ergonornic angle as shown in Fig.13 [E].
  • the spacer [360] is provided with the plurality of holes [370] having the same size and position of plurality of holes [100] as shown in Fig.6.
  • the distance of plurality of holes [370] from the upper border of the spacer [360] may vary according to the distance of plurality of holes [100] from upper end of platform of platform with knife extensions [90].
  • the thickness of the spacer [360] is in range of 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm.
  • Front and rear side of platform with knife extensions [90] are arranged alternatively along with a spacer [360] in between as shown in Fig.13[G, J], to achieve preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig. l l [B].
  • Fig.13[E] shows the lateral view of the preferable arrangement of the plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] and plurality of spacers [360] to get the multiple slits at preferable distance compare to the traditional pattern as shown in Fig.13 [D].
  • Arrangement in Fig.13 [E] is preferable over arrangement in Fig.13[D] because of the ergonomic angle which helps in achieving the same depth of multiple slits/ incisions when they make an angle with the bald skin.
  • Fig.13[F] shows the front view of the front plate [380] with plurality of depth guard bolts [350].
  • the present hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] is provided with the front plate [380] and rear plate [390] for holding the bunch of plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] and spacers [360] as shown in FIG.13 [G,H,I,J].
  • the front plate [380] and rear plate [390] have plurality of upper holes [400], plurality of middle holes [410] and plurality of bottom holes [420].
  • the distance between the plurality of middle holes [410] of the front plate [380] and rear plate [390] is same as the distance between the plurality of holes [100] of platform with knife extensions [90] and plurality of holes [370] of the spacers [360].
  • Appropriate size of nut bolts [330] are used through plurality of holes [100] of Fig. l3[B,C], plurality of holes [370] of Fig. l3[A] and plurality of middle holes [410] as shown in Fig. l3[F] for fixing the present hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ].
  • handle [340] is fixed to the front plate [380] and rear plate [390] holding the bunch of plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] along with spacers [360] through the nut bolts [330] as shown in Fig. l3[I, J].
  • the bottom of the front plate [380] is provided with plurality of depth guard bolts [350], for adjustment of the length of plurality of knife extensions [80] that can be pierced in the skin and to prevent over insertion of knife by controlling the depth of the slits/incisions.
  • FIG.13[G, H] shows respectively the front and lateral views of the partially assembled hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] with front plate [380], rear plate [390], platforms with knife extensions [90], spacers [360] and the plurality of nut bolts [330] fixed in the plurality of middle holes [410], Plurality of bottom holes [420] and plurality of depth guard bolts [350] and FIG.
  • 13[I, J] shows respectively the front and lateral views of the fully assembled hair transplantation instrument [ 10 ⁇ ] with front plate [380], rear plate [390], platforms with knife extensions [90], spacers [360] and the plurality of nut bolts [330] fixed in plurality of upper holes [400], plurality of middle holes [410], plurality of bottom holes [420] and plurality of depth guard bolts [350].
  • FIG.13 [K, L] the variation in the front plate [380] is shown in FIG.13 [K, L], whereby plurality of rods [430] are fixed to the rear plate [390] at the position of the plurality of middle holes [410] shown in FIG.13[F], to ease out the procedure of assembling the hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ].
  • the plurality of holes [ 100] of the platforms with knife extensions [90] and plurality of holes [370] of spacers [360] can be threaded on plurality of rods [430] in appropriate manner and the said variation of the hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] can be used with the handle [340] similarly as in FIG.13 [J].
  • any of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] can also be used alone to make the slits/ incisions at desired distance without using spacer [360] by keeping the thickness of the platform comparatively more than plurality of knife extensions [80] shown as [140, 150] in Fig.9[B].
  • the platform may be shorter in height, which can be used with any form of extensions either with adhesives, slot or similar technique and can be molded in plastic type of material also.
  • FIG.14 characterized in which, yet another variation in hair transplantation instrument is shown as [10 ⁇ ] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke mainly comprises of:
  • Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide, a hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] for making multiple slits/ incisions which mainly comprises of tail end [440], grip area [450] and head end [460].
  • the head end [460] is provided with plurality of gaps [470] of different depths to accommodate plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160] to provide preferable ergonomic angle as shown in Fig.14[D].
  • the plurality of gaps [470] can be made at desired distance ranging from 0.4 to 1.6mm.
  • Front side and rear side of the platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160] are used alternatively, to achieve preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig.11 [B] which are of same direction, depth, angle and size at equidistant.
  • a slot on top and bottom side of hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] head is provided for accommodation of plurality of compression plates [480].
  • the said plurality of compression plates [480] are compressed by tightening the plurality of nut bolts [330] to immobilize the platforms with knife extensions [20/90/ 160].
  • optional additional gaps [490] as shown in Fig. 14[B, C] can be made perpendicular to plurality of gaps [470].
  • top view, end on view and lateral views of hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] are respectively shown in Fig. l4[B], Fig. l4[C] and Fig. l4[D].
  • platform with knife extensions [ 160] can be used instead of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130] in any of the hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ].
  • embodiment of the proposed invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] which can be incorporated with barfs) [500/510/520].
  • the bar(s) [510/520] can be incorporated at bottom of carrier [240/260]/ spacer [360] or plurality of gaps [470] between two respective rows of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] to facilitate the flexibility for transplanting hair with desired density according to the patient's scalp without changing the carrier [240/260]/ spacer [360] of desired thickness and without dismantling the present instrument.
  • the bar(s) [500/510/520] facilitate the flexibility to adjust the depth of the slits/ incisions.
  • An improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke can be incorporated with either of the bar(s) [500, 510, 520] which are respectively of rectangular, semi- conical and conical shape having notch [530] at both the ends as shown in Fig.15 [A and B] whereby,
  • either of the bar [510/520] can be incorporated in an ergonomical manner between two respective platforms with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] of hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] which increases the distance between two respective rows of slits/ incisions to achieve the desired density of transplanted hair by incorporating the said bar [510/ 520] in the said hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] without dismantling or reassembling the said instrument and
  • either of the bar(s) [500/ 510/ 520] can be incorporated to serve the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the height of the bar(s) [500/
  • the depth of the slits/ incisions can be adjusted as per requirement.
  • Fig.15 [A] shows the lateral view of conical shape bar [520], semi conical shape bar [510] and rectangular shape bar [500] whereas Fig.15[B] shows front and back view of conical shape bar [520], semi conical shape bar [510] and rectangular shape bar [500].
  • an improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] can be incorporated with either of the conical shape bar [520] or semi conical shape bar [510] or rectangular shape bar [500].
  • Conical Shape Bar [520] When only two platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] are to be used, the conical shape bar [520] can be incorporated between the said two platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] which increases the distance between two respective rows of slits /incisions to achieve the desired density of transplanted hair by incorporating the said conical shape bar [520] in the said hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] without dismantling or reassembling.
  • the thickness of upper border of the conical shape bar(s) [520] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm which is same as the thickness of carrier [240/260] and spacer [360], whereas the thickness of lower border of the conical shape bar(s) [520] is sum of the thickness of upper border and 0.05 to 0.40mm.
  • the conical shape bar(s) [520] also serves the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the desired height of the conical shape bar(s) [520], the depth of the slits/incisions as per requirement can be adjusted.
  • the height of the conical shape bar(s) [520] ranges between 1.5 to 3.5mm.
  • the said semi conical shape bar(s) [510] thus increases the distance between the tips of two respective platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] to achieve the desired density of transplanted hair by incorporating the said semi conical shape bar(s) [510] in the said hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] without dismantling or reassembling.
  • the thickness of upper border of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm which is same as the thickness of carrier [240/260] and spacer [360], whereas the thickness of lower border of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510] is sum of the thickness of upper border and 0.05 to 0.25mm.
  • the semi-conical shape bar(s) [510] also serves the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the desired height of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510], the depth of the slits/incisions as per requirement can be adjusted. Moreover, the height of the semi conical shape bar [510] ranges between 1.5 to 3.5mm.
  • Rectangular Shape Bar [500] When N no.s of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] are to be used the said rectangular shape bar(s) [500] can be incorporated between each two respective platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] which serves the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the desired height of the rectangular shape bar(s) [500], the depth of the slits/incisions as per requirement can be adjusted. Further, the height of the rectangular shape bar(s) [510] ranges between 1.5 to 3.5mm. Moreover, as shown in Fig.15[A and B], the thickness of rectangular bar(s) [500] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm which is same as the thickness of carrier [240/260] and spacer [360].
  • the front plate [540] and rear plate [550] of the hair transplantation instrument [10a] are provided with the notch [560] to fix them with the notch [530] of the bar(s) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
  • the front plate [570] and rear plate [580] of the hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] are provided with the notch [590] to fix them with the notch [530] of the bar(s) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
  • the compression plates [600] of the hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] are provided with the notch [610] to fix them with the notch [530] of the barfs) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
  • the hair follicular grafts are assessed as well as approximate number of follicles judged and the size of the knife extensions in terms of width and length are decided. If the resulted number of the hair follicles is lesser than required, the procedure has to be re-planned by surgeon. Marking of the areas are done from front to back according to the new plan and desired density of the different area [from front to back] are re-planned.
  • the maximum density is in front area and depending upon which the appropriate thickness of the carriers [240/260] for hair transplantation instrument [10a] or spacers [360] for hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] or the distance between plurality of gaps [470] for hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] is selected for keeping the desired distance between two respective rows, before assembling the hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ].
  • the instrument is assembled by arranging the appropriate number of the carriers [240/260] / spacers [360] or plurality of gaps [470] and platform with knife extensions in a manner to make an appropriate ergonomic angle at the tip/ cutting edge of the knife extensions.
  • the present hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] is held in a manner that front plate [540] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10a] or front plate [570] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] or the platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160] in the longest gap of plurality of gaps [470] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10 ⁇ ] remains toward the bald/balding skin of the patient making the acute desired angle of the slit/incision.
  • the plurality of depth guard bolts [350] are provided at bottom of the front plate [540/570] in the present instrument to control the depth of the pre-formed slits/incisions.
  • the number of the platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] can be used.
  • multiple slits/ incisions are made using present hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] at single stroke.
  • desired size bar [510/520] can be incorporated between two respective platform with knife extensions at the bottom of the carriers [240/260]/ spacers [360]/ gaps [470] and the notch [530] of the bar[s] [510/520] are fixed to the notch [560] (of front plate [540] and rear plate [550]) or notch [590] (of front plate [570] and rear plate [580]) or notch [610] (of compression plates [600]) with sterile rubber bands or stainless steel wires ⁇ Thus, desired density of transplanted hair is achieved by incorporating the desired width of the bar(s) [510/520] which increases the distance between the two respective rows of slits/incisions without dismantling or reassembling the hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ].
  • bar(s) [500/510/520] can be incorporated at the bottom of the carriers [240/260]/ spacers [360]/ gaps [470] which serves the purpose of depth guard in the proposed hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10 ⁇ / 10 ⁇ ] as by selecting the desired height of the said bar(s) [500/510/520], the depth of the slits/ incisions can be reduced.
  • the pre- formed slits/ incisions of the desired density and depth are ready for hair follicle implantation.

Abstract

An improved hair transplantation instrument [10α /10β /10γ ] for making multiple slits/incisions comprises of plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/130/160]. Plurality of platform with knife extensions [130] are used alongwith plurality of carriers [240/260] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10α] and plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] are used along with plurality of spacers [360] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10β] to keep the preferable distance between two respective rows of slits/incisions whereas hair transplantation instrument [10γ] is provided with plurality of gaps [470] at desired distance to accommodate the plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/160]. Further, the present instrument [10α /10β /10γ ] can be incorporated with bar(s) at bottom of carrier [240/260] /spacer [360]/gaps [470] between two respective rows of platform with knife extensions [20/90/130/160] which facilitates the flexibility for transplanting hair with desired density while transplantation without dismantling the said instrument.

Description

Description
AN IMPROVED HAIR TRANSPLANTATION INSTRUMENT FOR MAKING MULTIPLE SLITS /INCISIONS IN A SINGLE STROKE
This present disclosure claims priority from Indian patent application No. 1720/ MUM/ 2011 filed on 13-June-2011 and Indian patent application No. 1693/MUM/2012 filed on 11-June- 2012.
FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to an improved manually operated hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved instrument containing - single or multiple platforms with multiple knife extensions for making multiple pre-formed slits/ incisions of the same direction, angle, depth and size at equidistant in which hair graft can be transplanted.
BACKGROUND:
Hair transplantation surgical technique is known since past many years, which involves transplanting live individual hair follicles from one part of the body which is usually called the donor site to bald or balding parts which is usually called recipient site.
Usually a strip is harvested from donor site first and donor site is closed by suturing the wound by surgeon. Then surgeon proceeds to make the slits/incisions in the area desired for hair transplantation. It is necessary to make such slits/ incisions in desired same direction, angle, depth and size at equidistance preventing damage to the important structures at deeper level. Technicians do the slivering and cutting of grafts and significant number of grafts are ready before the surgeon start making slits /incisions. The surgeon decides the size of slits/ incisions and distance to be kept between the slits/ incisions and rows of slits/ incisions after looking at the grafts. So the device needs to be assembled according to requirements.
The surgeon uses various type of blades or fine needles or knife to puncture the sites for receiving the grafts, placing them in a predetermined depth, size and angling the slits/ incisions in a manner to promote a realistic hair pattern. Usually this is done with single knife and surgeon needs to make thousands of such incisions keeping the desired direction, angle, depth at a desired distance. These repetitive, tedious job make the surgeon's hand and mind fatigue. So it is desirable to make multiple slits/incisions at single stroke causing reduction in the time taken for making slits and its precision which reduces the efforts and time required for transplantation procedure.
In patients with more bald or balding area and with limited donor area, there is scarcity of hair follicular grafts. Many times when surgeon start to operate by putting cut on back of scalp he/she realizes that the scalp of the patient is tough and it will be difficult to close the defect after taking out the planned width of the strip. So the surgeon has to change the plan and has to go for narrower strip which ultimately yield less number of hair follicles. In such circumstances in order to give better aesthetic outcome, the surgeon has to plan the procedure differently in a manner to transplant hair with better density in front and as the surgeon proceeds backwards the density of transplanted hair reduces. Under such circumstances, while operation the surgeon has to increase the distance between two rows of slits/ incisions as he/she moves backward. Further, the thickness of scalp also varies in different areas, so the depth of the slits/ incisions also needs to be adjusted accordingly.
PRIOR ART:
Various types of incision making devices are found in the prior art but they have several disadvantages as compared to the proposed invention, each of which are as described below:
In the US patent no. 5611811 wherein "MICRO AND MINI HAIR TRANSPLANT DEVICE" includes a part for puncturing the scalp, a part for containing the hair grafts to be transplanted, a part for ejecting the hair grafts from the containing means, a part for actuating the ejecting means and a part for delivering the hair grafts into the transplant site. But in the said invention a single retractable scalpel blade is mounted for puncturing the scalp at a transplant site mounted to the body member which is time consuming and which requires the detailed and accurate mapping of scalp and ability to follow such mapped layout of incisions.
In the US patent no. 5578054 wherein "METHOD FOR HAIR TRANSPLANTATION" provides a device and a method for the surgical transplantation of hair. According to the method, an instrument is provided having a shaft and a blade that is attached to the shaft so that the blade is normal to the axis of the shaft. The blade is inserted into the skin to a preselected depth that is determined by a stop disposed along the shaft. After the incision has been formed, the instrument is removed from the skin and a hair follicular graft is placed into the incision. But in the said patent single incision is made by blade at time which is time consuming and also requires the detailed and accurate mapping of scalp with an ability to follow such mapped layout of incisions.
There are various patents available in prior art which provides single needle/blade for making preformed holes/ slits/ incisions. Typical of these are US application No. 20030097144, 20080033455, 20100179580, 20030120298 and US patent No. 6,572,625, 5,61 1 ,81 1 , 5,578,054.
In the US patent application 2003/0097143A1 wherein "MULTI- BLADED SURGICAL SCALPEL" used for the purpose of making multiple incisions/ slits for transplanting hair graft. The above said instrument holds multiple single knives at a desired distance from each other to make multiple incisions in the same desired direction, angle and of the same depth but it can make only one row of multiple incisions. The multiple single knives have to be adjusted under magnification and then the knives are fixed with epoxy/glue making it little bit cumbersome. With the present instrument, in a single stroke multiple rows of more number of slits can be made [up to 30 slits] than the device mentioned in the said US application.
In US patent application no. 2001/0034534A1 wherein "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING INCISIONS FOR HAIR GRAFTS" includes an elongated handle extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of blades mounted to and extending from a distal end of the handle. The blades are arranged along a single blade axis that is disposed oblique to, preferably perpendicularly to, the longitudinal axis of the handle. But in the said invention multiple single knives are mounted on a different type of handle to make multiple incisions in a single row and the distance between two incisions is little too far [3.0 mm] then the desired. In US patent no. 5858019 wherein "GRAFT SITE CUTTER" comprises a first horizontal flat spongy flexible layer having upper and lower surfaces. A second horizontal flat plastic layer also has upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface of the second layer being secured to the lower surface of the first layer. A third horizontal flat spongy flexible layer also has upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface of the third layer being secured to the lower surface of the second layer. A plurality of surgical cutting units are embedded in the layers in spaced apart positions, each unit having a plurality of knife elements having downwardly extending cutting points disposed within the third layer adjacent the lower surface. But the said invention uses multiple layers of sponge, plastic, metal and cutter knife blades to make multiple incisions for hair transplant. Moreover the said apparatus makes a very high number of incisions over a relatively large area and does not allow to limit the number of incisions, reducing the ability to make incisions in different angles relative to scalp. Due to the said problems, the ability to control natural-looking placement and angular disposition of transplanted hair is limited with this apparatus.
DISADVANTAGES OF PRIOR ART:
The above mentioned inventions suffer from at least one of the following problems:
I. They provide limited number of slits/ incisions in a single stroke.
II. They do not assure slits/ incisions in same direction, angle, depth and size at equidistant.
III. They do not assure desired equality in spacing between rows Of incisions. IV. They have less ability to make different depth and angles to the scalp.
V. They may cause damage to deeper vascular network due to excessive insertion of needle /blade.
VI. Most of them are cumbersome as requires medical epoxy.
VII. Many of them require magnification to assemble the instrument.
VIII. None of them facilitate flexibility for transplanting hair with desired density depending upon the patient's scalp without dismantling the instrument.
IX. .Most of them do not provide flexibility to adjust the depth of the slits/ incisions without dismantling the instrument.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION:
The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved manually operated hair transplantation instrument which contains single or multiple platforms with multiple knife extensions for making multiple preformed slits/incisions of the same direction, angle, depth and size at equidistant.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, wherein a single platform has multiple knife extensions (up to 20) which may be held by holding instrument such as blade holder, needle holder.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, having plurality of platform with knife extensions able to make up to 30 slits/incisions (preferably 5-6 knife extensions and 5-6 platforms) at one stroke reducing the time taken in making slits /incisions as well as in implanting the hair follicles.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, having carriers/ spacers of desired thickness to provide the desired distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, having plurality of platform with knife extensions which can be used alone without spacers by keeping the thickness of platform more than knife extensions.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument having a handle to hold multiple platforms with knife extensions along with desired thickness carrier/ spacer to make multiple rows of multiple slits /incisions at a desired distance of the same direction, angle, depth and size.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument having multiple platforms with knife extensions which are held at desired distance ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 mm.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, having multiple knife extensions, which causes significantly less damage to the scalp in comparison to needles while making the incisions. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument with various shaped cutting edges of knife extensions, whereby preferably conical shape is used to assure the least damage to the important structures at deeper level in dermis from where blood vessels/ supply come.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, which may make multiple slits/incisions in significantly reduced time period without getting fatigue of hands and mind.
Yet another object of invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, which may avoid the need of medical epoxy and magnification to assemble the instrument and to provide ease for new technician in assembling the instrument.
Yet another object of invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument, which can be easily assembled as. all parts of the instruments except platform with knife extensions are autoclavable whereas platform with knife extensions can be sterilized with Ethylene Oxide and alike.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument which can be incorporated with bar(sj at bottom of carrier/ spacer/ gaps between two respective rows of platform with knife extensions which facilitates the flexibility for transplanting hair with desired density while transplantation without dismantling the instrument.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument which can be incorporated with bar(s) at bottom of carrier/ spacer /gaps between two respective rows of platform with knife extensions which facilitates the flexibility to adjust the depth of the slits/incisions without dismantling the instrument.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
Fig.1 : Shows fragmented view of the slits/ incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
Fig.2 : Shows perspective view of the slits/ incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
Fig3 : Shows lateral view of the slits/incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
Fig.4 : Shows bottom view of the slits/incisions making hair transplantation instrument in accordance to present invention.
Fig.5[A&B] : Show respectively front and rear views of platform with knife extensions.
[C] : Shows variations in cutting edges of knife
[D] : extensions.
Shows cross sectional view of variations in cutting edges of knife extensions.
Fig.6 : Shows front view of variation in the platform with knife extensions.
Fig.7 : Shows the lateral view of platform with knife extension and its variations.
Fig.8 : Shows front view of another variation in the platform with knife extensions. Show respectively the front and lateral views of variation in platform with knife extensions.
Shows the front view of yet another variation in the platform with knife extensions.
Shows the traditional pattern of multiple equidistant slits of same size, direction.
Shows the preferable pattern of multiple equidistant slits of same size, direction made using the present invention.
Shows front view of the carrier in accordance with the present invention.
Shows the lateral view of the carrier and platform with knife extensions.
Shows the bottom view of the carrier.
Shows the front view of platform with knife extensions.
Shows the front view of platform with knife extensions mounted on carrier.
Shows the lateral view of plurality of platform with knife extensions mounted on carrier.
Shows the front view of variations of carrier having horizontal slits to accommodate angled upper end of platform with knife extensions.
Shows lateral view of carrier with different angles of slits and appropriate upper ends of platform with knife extension.
Shows the lateral view of variation in plurality of platform with knife extensions mounted on carrier. Shows the front view of front and rear plates to accommodate plurality of platform with knife extensions mounted on carriers. Shows the lateral view of fully assembled instrument in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the front view of fully assembled instrument in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the front and lateral views of variation in front plate with rods fixed in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the front view of spacer in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Shows respectively front and rear views of platform with multiple knife extensions.
Shows the lateral view of traditional arrangement of platforms and spacers.
Shows the lateral view of preferable arrangement of platforms and spacers by the present invention.
Shows the front view of front plates having depth guard.
Shows the front view of partially assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the lateral view of the partially assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the lateral view of the fully assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the front view of fully assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention. Shows the front and lateral views of variation in front plate with rods fixed.
Shows the lateral view of variation in instrument for holding multiple platforms with knife extensions in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the top view of variation in instrument for holding multiple platforms with knife extensions. Shows the end view of variation in instrument for holding multiple platforms with knife extensions. Shows the lateral view of head end of fully assembled instrument holding platform with multiple knife extensions.
Shows lateral view of the bar
Shows front and back view of the bar showing the notch.
Shows front view of the carrier in accordance with the present invention.
Shows the lateral view of the carrier and platform with knife extensions.
Shows the bottom view of the carrier.
Shows the front view of platform with knife extensions.
Shows the front view of platform with knife extensions mounted on carrier.
Shows the lateral view of plurality of platform with knife extensions mounted on carrier.
Shows the front view of variations of carrier having horizontal slits to accommodate angled upper end of platform with knife extensions.
Shows lateral view of carrier with different angles of slits and appropriate upper ends of platform with knife extension.
Shows the lateral view of variation in plurality of platform with knife extensions mounted on carrier. Shows the front view of front and rear plates to accommodate plurality of platform with knife extensions mounted on carriers having notch.
Shows the lateral view of fully assembled instrument in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention along with semi-conical bar incorporated. Shows the front view of fully assembled instrument in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention along with semi-conical bar incorporated. Shows the front and lateral views of variation in front plate with rods fixed in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the front view of spacer in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
Shows respectively front and rear views of platform with multiple knife extensions.
Shows the lateral view of traditional arrangement of platforms and spacers.
Shows the lateral view of preferable arrangement of platforms and spacers by the present invention.
Shows the front view of front plates having depth guard and notch.
Shows the front view of partially assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the lateral view of the partially assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the lateral view of the fully assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention along with semi-conical bar incorporated.
Shows the front view of fully assembled instrument in accordance with (another) embodiment of the present invention along with semi-conical bar incorporated.
Shows the front and lateral views of variation in front plate with rods fixed.
Shows the lateral view of variation in instrument for holding multiple platforms with knife extensions in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.
Shows the top view of variation in instrument for holding multiple platforms with knife extensions along with semi-conical bar incorporated.
Shows the end view of variation in instrument for holding multiple platforms with knife extensions. Shows the lateral view of head end of fully assembled instrument holding platform with multiple knife extensions along with semi-conical bar incorporated.
Meaning of reference numerals used are 10 to 490:
10a : A hair transplantation instrument
10β : Hair transplantation instrument (Variation in 10α )
10γ : Hair transplantation instrument (Yet another variation in 10a )
20 : Platform with knife extensions 30 : Starting point of the bottom of the platform and first knife extension
40 : End point of the first knife extension
50 : Starting point of the second knife extension
60 : End point the last knife extension
70 : End point of bottom the platform
80 : Plurality of Knife extensions
90 : Platform with knife extensions (Variation in 20)
100 : Plurality of holes
1 10 : Variations in the upper angle
120 : Extensions/ joints or adhesives
130 : Platform with knife extensions (Another variation in
20)
140 : Platform with knife extensions (Yet another variation in 20)
150 : Platform with knife extension (having comparatively more platform thickness than the knife extensions [80])
160 : Platform with knife extensions (Yet another variation in 20)
170 : Starting point of bottom of platform (of platform with knife extension [160])
180 : Starting point of first knife extension (of platform with knife extension [160])
190 : End point of the first knife extension (of platform with knife extension [160])
200 : Starting point of the second knife extension (of platform with knife extension [160])
210 : End point of last knife extension (of platform with knife extension [160])
220 : End point of bottom of platform (of platform with knife extension [160])
230 : Plurality of holes (of platform with knife extension
[160])
240 : Carrier
250 : Plurality of holes (of the carrier [240 and 260])
260 : Carrier (variation in carrier [240])
270 : Horizontal slits (of carrier [260])
280 : Front plate (of the hair transplantation instrument
10a)
290 : Rear plate (of the hair transplantation instrument
10a)
300 : Plurality of upper holes (of the front plate [280] and rear plate [290])
310 : Plurality of middle holes (of the front plate [280] and rear plate [290])
320 : Plurality of bottom holes (of the front plate [280] and rear plate [290])
330 : Nut bolts
340 : Handle
350 : Plurality of depth guard bolts
360 : Spacer
370 : Plurality of holes (of spacer [360])
380 : Front plate (of hair transplantation instrument 10β)
390 : Rear plate (of hair transplantation instrument 10β)
400 : Plurality of upper holes (of front plate [380] and rear plate [380])
410 : Plurality of middle holes (of front plate [380] and rear plate [380])
420 : Plurality of bottom holes (of front plate [380] and rear plate [380))
430 : Plurality of rods 440 : Tail end
450 : Grip area
460 : Head end
470 : Plurality of gaps
480 : Plurality of compression plates
490 : Additional gaps
500 : Rectangle bar
510 : Semi-conical bar
520 : Conical bar
530 : Notch (of bars 500, 510, 520)
540 : Front plate (of the hair transplantation instrument
10a)
550 : Rear plate (of the hair transplantation instrument
10a)
560 : Notch (of front plate 540 and rear plate 550)
570 : Front plate (of hair transplantation instrument 10β)
580 : Rear plate (of hair transplantation instrument 10β)
590 : Notch (of front plate 570 and rear plate 580)
600 : Compression plate
610 : Notch (of compression plate)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
The features, nature and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numerals identify correspondingly throughout.
An improved hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10β/ ΓΟγ] for making multiple slits/incisions comprises of plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160], whereby the plurality of knife extensions [80] are identical and extending from the bottom of the platform. The plurality of platform with knife extensions [130] are used alongwith plurality of carriers [240/260] incase of hair transplantation instrument [ 10a] and plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] are used alongwith plurality of spacers [360] incase of hair transplantation instrument [10β], to keep the preferable distance between two respective rows of slits /incisions. Alternatively, plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] can also be used alone for making multiple slits/ incisions without spacer [360], by keeping the thickness of the platforms more than the knife extensions [80] as shown in Fig.9[B]. A hair transplantation instrument [ 10γ] is provided with plurality of gaps [470] at desired distance to accommodate the plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160].
Fig.5[A, B] respectively shows front view and rear view of platform with knife extensions [20] for making multiple slits/incisions and Fig.6 shows the front view of the platform with knife extensions [90], which is provided with plurality of holes [100]. The said plurality of holes
[100] are made for holding the plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] with help of nut bolts [330]. Alternatively the plurality of holes [100] can be made at various distances from upper border of the platform to provide preferable ergonomic angle as shown in Fig.13[E,H,I]. The distance between lateral points of the said plurality of holes [100] to lateral border of platform [90] are same. Another variation in platform with knife extensions is shown as [ 130] in Fig.8, wherein the platform, on each side has equal angle above the lower border (bottom) of the platform for accommodation in carrier [240] as shown in Fig.1 and Fig.12 [E, F]. Yet another variation in platform with knife extensions is shown as [160] in Fig.10. The platform with knife extensions [ 160] may have plurality of holes [230] same as plurality of holes [100] of the platform with knife extensions [90]. The platform with knife extensions [160] can replace any of platform with knife extensions [20/90] in hair transplantation instrument- [ 10β / 10γ].
In all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160], the difference of distance between starting of platform - starting of first knife extension and the end of last knife extension - end of the platform is the mean of width of knife extension and distance between two respective knife extensions. The said distance is kept to get the preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig.1 1 [B] by keeping front and rear sides of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] alternatively in the knife holding instrument. Referring to the Platform with knife extensions [20] as shown in Fig.5 [A, B], the distance between the end point the last knife extension [60] and end of the platform [70] is the mean of width of starting point of the bottom of the platform and first knife extension [30] - End point of the first knife extension [40] and distance between end point of the first knife extension [40] - starting point of the second knife extension [50]. Moreover, in platform with knife extensions [ 160] as shown in
Fig.10, the difference between starting point of bottom of platform [170] - starting point of first knife extension [180] and end point of last knife extension [210] - end point of bottom of platform [220] is a mean of width of starting point of first knife extension [180] - end point of the first knife extension [190] and distance between end point of the first knife extension [190] - starting point of the second knife extension [200].
The number of plurality of knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] can vary from 2 to as many as
20. The width of each knife extension in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary from 0.5 mm to 1.8 mm. The length of each knife extension in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary from 2.5 mm to 8 mm. The distance between each two of knife extensions in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] can vary from can vary from 0.3 to 1.8 mm.
Referring to Fig.5[C] the knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary in shape, thickness and curvature. Moreover plurality of knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] are provided with cutting edge, either at only tip or on the side/s as shown in Fig.5[C], Fig.6, Fig.8 and Fig.10 respectively to make a row of multiple slits of equal size, depth, angle and direction. The variations in plurality of knife extensions [80] are shown in Fig.5[C] whereby the shape of plurality of knife extensions [80] in all kind of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary from conical to rectangular. The plurality of knife extensions [80] is preferably conical shape, as it causes the least damage to the important structures at deeper level in dermis from where blood vessels/ supply arrives. The cross sectional view of the variations in plurality of knife extensions [80] is shown in Fig.5[D].
Referring to Fig.7 [A], lateral view of the platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is shown and its variation are shown in FIG.7 [B,C,D,E], wherein Fig.7 [B,C,D] show variations in upper angle [1 10] of the platform. Use of the said variation of platform with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12[H,I,J,K,L], to fit into the variations of carrier [260]. Referring to Fig.7[E] shows extensions/ joints or adhesives [120] which may be used to hold the platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] or can be molded to serve the purpose of slit making.
Referring to Fig.11 [B], the preferable pattern of slits in the bald skin of scalp of the patient is shown, whereby the said pattern is made by using the present invention and which makes the transplanted hair looks more natural compared to the traditional pattern as shown in Fig.11 [A].
Referring to Fig. l, Fig.2, Fig.3, Fig.4 and Fig.12 characterized in which, a hair transplantation instrument [10a] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke mainly comprises of: · Plurality of platform with knife extensions [ 130] ;
• Carrier [240/260];
• Plurality of depth guard bolts [350];
• Front plate [280];
• Rear plate [290] and
· Handle [340].
The embodiment of the present invention is to provide, a hair transplantation instrument [10a] for making multiple slits/ incisions comprises of platform with knife extensions [130] is mounted on carrier [240/260] in order to keep the preferable distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions [130] resulting into the preferable, fix distance between each two rows of pre-formed slits.
The carrier [240] is provided with a depressed area to accommodate and carry the platform with knife extensions [130] as shown in Fig. l , Fig.8 and Fig.12. The platform with knife extensions [ 130] snugly fits into the depressed area (marked as hatched area) of the carrier [240]. Front and rear sides of platform with knife extensions [130] fits, into the depressed area of alternate carriers [240] as shown in Fig.12[0], to get preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig. l l[B]. The carrier [240] also serve the purpose of spacer [360] and its thickness can vary from 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm. Moreover the carrier [240] has plurality of holes [250].
Referring to Fig.12[G], variation in the carrier is shown as [260], wherein the hatched depressed area is replaced by the horizontal slits [270] to accommodate the platform with knife extensions [130] through variation in upper angle [1 10] portion as shown in Fig.12 [L]. The lateral view of the carrier [260] with horizontal slits [270] is shown as Fig.12[H] and the lateral view of the carrier [260] with variation in horizontal slits [270] is shown as Fig.12 [J]. The lateral view of platform with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12 [I] and lateral view of variation in platform with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12[K]. The lateral view of carriers [260] carrying the platforms with knife extensions [130] is shown in Fig.12 [L].
Both the carriers [240,260] are provided with the plurality of the holes [250] as shown in Fig.12[A, G] respectively at various distances from upper border of the said carriers [240,260] to provide preferable ergonomic angle as shown in Fig.12 [F, L] respectively.
Fig. l2[M] shows the front view of front plate [280] and rear plate [290] are provided to accommodate the bunch of plurality of carriers [240/260] carrying plurality of platforms with knife extensions [130]. Both the front plate [280] and rear plate [290] have plurality of upper holes [400], plurality of middle holes [410] and plurality of bottom holes [420]. Moreover the size of plurality of middle holes [310] is same as of plurality of holes [250] in the carriers [240\260] and also the distance between the plurality of middle holes [310] is same as the distance between plurality of holes [250] of carrier [240\260], whereby the said holes [250] are for fixation of front plate [280] and rear plate [290] along with the platforms with knife extensions [ 130] mounted on the carriers [240\260]. Appropriate size of nut bolts [330] are used through plurality of holes (250) of the carriers [240\260], plurality of middle holes [310], plurality of bottom holes [320] of front plate [280] and rear plate [290] as shown in Fig.12 [N, O] for fixing the present hair transplantation instrument [10a]. Further, the handle [340] is fixed to the front plate [280] and rear [290] plate, holding the bunch of plurality of carriers [240/260] carrying plurality of platforms with knife extensions [130] by fitting the nut bolts [330] through the plurality of upper holes [300] of as shown in Fig.12[N, O].
The bottom of the front plate [280] is provided with plurality of depth guard bolts [350] as shown in Fig.12 [Μ,Ν,Ο], for adjustment of the length of plurality of knife extensions [80] that can be pierced in the skin and to prevent over insertion of knife by controlling the depth of the slits/ incisions.
FIG.12 [N, O] shows respectively the lateral and front views of fully assembled hair transplantation instrument [10a] with front plate [280], rear plate [290], carriers [240] carrying plurality of platforms with knife extensions [130], plurality of depth guard bolts [350], plurality of nut bolts [330] and handle [340].
Referring to FIG.12 [P, Q], variation in the front plate [280] is shown, whereby plurality of rods [430] are fixed to the front plate [280] at the position of plurality of middle holes [310] shown in FIG.12[M], to ease out the procedure of assembling the hair transplantation instrument [10α]. The plurality of holes [250] of the carriers [240/260] carrying the platforms with knife extensions [130] can be threaded on the plurality of rods [430] in appropriate manner and the said variation of the hair transplantation instrument [10a] can be used with the handle [340] similarly as in FIG.12[0].
Referring Fig.13 characterized in which, a variation in hair transplantation instrument is shown as [ 10β] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke mainly comprises of:
• Plurality of platform with knife extensions [90];
• Spacer [360];
• Plurality of depth guard bolts [350];
• Front plate [380];
• Rear plate [390] and
• Handle [340].
Another embodiment of the present invention is to provide, a hair transplantation instrument [10β] for making multiple slits/ incisions, wherein each two platforms with knife extensions [90] are provided with spacers [360] in between, in order to keep the preferable distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions [90], resulting into the preferable fix distance between each two rows of preformed slits.
As shown in Fig.6, the platform with knife extensions [90] is provided with plurality of holes [100], which may be made at various distances from upper border of the platform with knife extensions [90] to provide preferable ergonornic angle as shown in Fig.13 [E]. Referring to the Fig.13 [A], the spacer [360] is provided with the plurality of holes [370] having the same size and position of plurality of holes [100] as shown in Fig.6. The distance of plurality of holes [370] from the upper border of the spacer [360] may vary according to the distance of plurality of holes [100] from upper end of platform of platform with knife extensions [90]. The thickness of the spacer [360] is in range of 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm. Front and rear side of platform with knife extensions [90] are arranged alternatively along with a spacer [360] in between as shown in Fig.13[G, J], to achieve preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig. l l [B].
Fig.13[E] shows the lateral view of the preferable arrangement of the plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] and plurality of spacers [360] to get the multiple slits at preferable distance compare to the traditional pattern as shown in Fig.13 [D]. Arrangement in Fig.13 [E] is preferable over arrangement in Fig.13[D] because of the ergonomic angle which helps in achieving the same depth of multiple slits/ incisions when they make an angle with the bald skin.
Fig.13[F] shows the front view of the front plate [380] with plurality of depth guard bolts [350]. The present hair transplantation instrument [10β] is provided with the front plate [380] and rear plate [390] for holding the bunch of plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] and spacers [360] as shown in FIG.13 [G,H,I,J]. The front plate [380] and rear plate [390] have plurality of upper holes [400], plurality of middle holes [410] and plurality of bottom holes [420]. The distance between the plurality of middle holes [410] of the front plate [380] and rear plate [390] is same as the distance between the plurality of holes [100] of platform with knife extensions [90] and plurality of holes [370] of the spacers [360]. Appropriate size of nut bolts [330] are used through plurality of holes [100] of Fig. l3[B,C], plurality of holes [370] of Fig. l3[A] and plurality of middle holes [410] as shown in Fig. l3[F] for fixing the present hair transplantation instrument [10β]. Further the handle [340] is fixed to the front plate [380] and rear plate [390] holding the bunch of plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] along with spacers [360] through the nut bolts [330] as shown in Fig. l3[I, J].
As shown in Fig. l3[G,H,I,J], the bottom of the front plate [380] is provided with plurality of depth guard bolts [350], for adjustment of the length of plurality of knife extensions [80] that can be pierced in the skin and to prevent over insertion of knife by controlling the depth of the slits/incisions.
FIG.13[G, H] shows respectively the front and lateral views of the partially assembled hair transplantation instrument [10β] with front plate [380], rear plate [390], platforms with knife extensions [90], spacers [360] and the plurality of nut bolts [330] fixed in the plurality of middle holes [410], Plurality of bottom holes [420] and plurality of depth guard bolts [350] and FIG. 13[I, J] shows respectively the front and lateral views of the fully assembled hair transplantation instrument [ 10β] with front plate [380], rear plate [390], platforms with knife extensions [90], spacers [360] and the plurality of nut bolts [330] fixed in plurality of upper holes [400], plurality of middle holes [410], plurality of bottom holes [420] and plurality of depth guard bolts [350].
Moreover the variation in the front plate [380] is shown in FIG.13 [K, L], whereby plurality of rods [430] are fixed to the rear plate [390] at the position of the plurality of middle holes [410] shown in FIG.13[F], to ease out the procedure of assembling the hair transplantation instrument [10β]. The plurality of holes [ 100] of the platforms with knife extensions [90] and plurality of holes [370] of spacers [360] can be threaded on plurality of rods [430] in appropriate manner and the said variation of the hair transplantation instrument [10β] can be used with the handle [340] similarly as in FIG.13 [J].
Any of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] can also be used alone to make the slits/ incisions at desired distance without using spacer [360] by keeping the thickness of the platform comparatively more than plurality of knife extensions [80] shown as [140, 150] in Fig.9[B]. Moreover the platform may be shorter in height, which can be used with any form of extensions either with adhesives, slot or similar technique and can be molded in plastic type of material also.
Referring Fig.14 characterized in which, yet another variation in hair transplantation instrument is shown as [10γ] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke mainly comprises of:
• Plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90];
• Tail end [440];
• Grip area [450]];
• Head end [460];
• Plurality of compression plates [480] and
• Nut bolts [330].
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is to provide, a hair transplantation instrument [10γ] for making multiple slits/ incisions which mainly comprises of tail end [440], grip area [450] and head end [460]. The head end [460] is provided with plurality of gaps [470] of different depths to accommodate plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160] to provide preferable ergonomic angle as shown in Fig.14[D]. The plurality of gaps [470] can be made at desired distance ranging from 0.4 to 1.6mm. Front side and rear side of the platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160] are used alternatively, to achieve preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits as shown in Fig.11 [B] which are of same direction, depth, angle and size at equidistant.
Referring to Fig.14, a slot on top and bottom side of hair transplantation instrument [10γ] head is provided for accommodation of plurality of compression plates [480]. The said plurality of compression plates [480] are compressed by tightening the plurality of nut bolts [330] to immobilize the platforms with knife extensions [20/90/ 160]. To facilitate better immobilization, optional additional gaps [490] as shown in Fig. 14[B, C] can be made perpendicular to plurality of gaps [470]. Moreover top view, end on view and lateral views of hair transplantation instrument [10γ] are respectively shown in Fig. l4[B], Fig. l4[C] and Fig. l4[D].
Referring to Fig.10, principles of platform with knife extensions [ 160] can be used instead of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130] in any of the hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10β/ 10γ].
Further, embodiment of the proposed invention is to provide an improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] which can be incorporated with barfs) [500/510/520]. The bar(s) [510/520] can be incorporated at bottom of carrier [240/260]/ spacer [360] or plurality of gaps [470] between two respective rows of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] to facilitate the flexibility for transplanting hair with desired density according to the patient's scalp without changing the carrier [240/260]/ spacer [360] of desired thickness and without dismantling the present instrument. In addition the bar(s) [500/510/520] facilitate the flexibility to adjust the depth of the slits/ incisions. An improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke can be incorporated with either of the bar(s) [500, 510, 520] which are respectively of rectangular, semi- conical and conical shape having notch [530] at both the ends as shown in Fig.15 [A and B] whereby,
• either of the bar [510/520] can be incorporated in an ergonomical manner between two respective platforms with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] of hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10β/ 10γ] which increases the distance between two respective rows of slits/ incisions to achieve the desired density of transplanted hair by incorporating the said bar [510/ 520] in the said hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] without dismantling or reassembling the said instrument and
• either of the bar(s) [500/ 510/ 520] can be incorporated to serve the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the height of the bar(s) [500/
510/ 520], the depth of the slits/ incisions can be adjusted as per requirement.
As shown in Fig.15[A and B], Fig.15 [A] shows the lateral view of conical shape bar [520], semi conical shape bar [510] and rectangular shape bar [500] whereas Fig.15[B] shows front and back view of conical shape bar [520], semi conical shape bar [510] and rectangular shape bar [500].
In the proposed invention, an improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] can be incorporated with either of the conical shape bar [520] or semi conical shape bar [510] or rectangular shape bar [500]. 1) Conical Shape Bar [520]: When only two platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] are to be used, the conical shape bar [520] can be incorporated between the said two platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] which increases the distance between two respective rows of slits /incisions to achieve the desired density of transplanted hair by incorporating the said conical shape bar [520] in the said hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] without dismantling or reassembling. The thickness of upper border of the conical shape bar(s) [520] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm which is same as the thickness of carrier [240/260] and spacer [360], whereas the thickness of lower border of the conical shape bar(s) [520] is sum of the thickness of upper border and 0.05 to 0.40mm. Further, the conical shape bar(s) [520] also serves the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the desired height of the conical shape bar(s) [520], the depth of the slits/incisions as per requirement can be adjusted. Moreover, the height of the conical shape bar(s) [520] ranges between 1.5 to 3.5mm.
2) Semi Conical Shape Bar [510]: When total three platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] are to be used, two semi conical shape bar(s) [510] as shown in Fig. 16 [N and O], Fig.17 [I and J] and Fig.18 [B and D] are incorporated between the respective platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] in a manner that the sides of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510] in contact with the middle knife extension are straight whereas the opposite sides of the said straight sides are in slanting manner. The said semi conical shape bar(s) [510] thus increases the distance between the tips of two respective platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] to achieve the desired density of transplanted hair by incorporating the said semi conical shape bar(s) [510] in the said hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] without dismantling or reassembling. The thickness of upper border of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm which is same as the thickness of carrier [240/260] and spacer [360], whereas the thickness of lower border of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510] is sum of the thickness of upper border and 0.05 to 0.25mm.
Further, the semi-conical shape bar(s) [510] also serves the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the desired height of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510], the depth of the slits/incisions as per requirement can be adjusted. Moreover, the height of the semi conical shape bar [510] ranges between 1.5 to 3.5mm.
3) Rectangular Shape Bar [500]: When N no.s of platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] are to be used the said rectangular shape bar(s) [500] can be incorporated between each two respective platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] which serves the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the desired height of the rectangular shape bar(s) [500], the depth of the slits/incisions as per requirement can be adjusted. Further, the height of the rectangular shape bar(s) [510] ranges between 1.5 to 3.5mm. Moreover, as shown in Fig.15[A and B], the thickness of rectangular bar(s) [500] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm which is same as the thickness of carrier [240/260] and spacer [360]. As shown in Fig. l6[M, O and P] the front plate [540] and rear plate [550] of the hair transplantation instrument [10a] are provided with the notch [560] to fix them with the notch [530] of the bar(s) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire. As shown in Fig. l7[F, G, J,K and L] the front plate [570] and rear plate [580] of the hair transplantation instrument [10β] are provided with the notch [590] to fix them with the notch [530] of the bar(s) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
As shown in Fig.18[B and D] the compression plates [600] of the hair transplantation instrument [10γ] are provided with the notch [610] to fix them with the notch [530] of the barfs) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
WORKING OF THE INVENTION:
Once the donor site wound is closed, the hair follicular grafts are assessed as well as approximate number of follicles judged and the size of the knife extensions in terms of width and length are decided. If the resulted number of the hair follicles is lesser than required, the procedure has to be re-planned by surgeon. Marking of the areas are done from front to back according to the new plan and desired density of the different area [from front to back] are re-planned. The maximum density is in front area and depending upon which the appropriate thickness of the carriers [240/260] for hair transplantation instrument [10a] or spacers [360] for hair transplantation instrument [10β] or the distance between plurality of gaps [470] for hair transplantation instrument [10γ] is selected for keeping the desired distance between two respective rows, before assembling the hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ]. After selecting the appropriate size platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] the instrument is assembled by arranging the appropriate number of the carriers [240/260] / spacers [360] or plurality of gaps [470] and platform with knife extensions in a manner to make an appropriate ergonomic angle at the tip/ cutting edge of the knife extensions. Due to the ergonomic angle, tips of all knife extensions touch the skin simultaneously resulting into equidistant depth and direction of all the slits/ incisions made in a single stroke. The present hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] is held in a manner that front plate [540] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10a] or front plate [570] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10β] or the platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 160] in the longest gap of plurality of gaps [470] in case of hair transplantation instrument [10γ] remains toward the bald/balding skin of the patient making the acute desired angle of the slit/incision. The plurality of depth guard bolts [350] are provided at bottom of the front plate [540/570] in the present instrument to control the depth of the pre-formed slits/incisions. As per the skin of the patient the number of the platform with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] can be used. Thus, multiple slits/ incisions are made using present hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] at single stroke.
In order to make slits/ incisions in the area of reduced density, desired size bar [510/520] can be incorporated between two respective platform with knife extensions at the bottom of the carriers [240/260]/ spacers [360]/ gaps [470] and the notch [530] of the bar[s] [510/520] are fixed to the notch [560] (of front plate [540] and rear plate [550]) or notch [590] (of front plate [570] and rear plate [580]) or notch [610] (of compression plates [600]) with sterile rubber bands or stainless steel wires^Thus, desired density of transplanted hair is achieved by incorporating the desired width of the bar(s) [510/520] which increases the distance between the two respective rows of slits/incisions without dismantling or reassembling the hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ]. Further, whenever there is a substantial difference in the thickness of the recipient sites, the depth of the slits/ incisions need to change. In such cases, bar(s) [500/510/520] can be incorporated at the bottom of the carriers [240/260]/ spacers [360]/ gaps [470] which serves the purpose of depth guard in the proposed hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] as by selecting the desired height of the said bar(s) [500/510/520], the depth of the slits/ incisions can be reduced. The pre- formed slits/ incisions of the desired density and depth are ready for hair follicle implantation.
Having described what is considered the best form presently contemplated for embodying the present invention, various modifications and variations in its form of manufacture will be promptly apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the practical aspects of the actual preferred embodiments hereby described and that any such modifications and variations must be considered as being within the spirit and the scope of the invention, as described in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke characterized in which, a hair transplantation instrument [10a] mainly comprises of:
• Plurality of platform with knife extensions [130];
• Carrier [240/260];
• Plurality of depth guard bolts [350];
· Front plate [280];
• Rear plate [290] and
• Handle [340].
2. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each platform with knife extensions [130] is mounted on carrier [240/260] in order to keep the preferable distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions [130] resulting into the preferable, fix distance between each two rows of pre-formed slits.
3. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that front and rear side of platform with knife extensions [130] fits, into the depressed area of alternate carriers
[240] to get preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits.
4. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that variation in carrier [260] is provided with the horizontal slits [270] instead of the hatched depressed area to accommodate the platform with knife extensions [ 130] through variation in upper angle [1 10] portion.
5. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that both the carriers [240 and 260] are provided with the plurality of the holes [250] respectively at various distances from upper border of the said carriers [240, 260] to provide preferable ergonomic angle.
6. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that front plate [280] and rear [290] plate holding the bunch of plurality of carriers [240/260] carrying plurality of platforms with knife extensions [130] are fixed by the handle [340] through the nut bolts [330].
7. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thickness of the carriers [240/260] is in range of 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm.
8. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke characterized in which, a variation in hair transplantation instrument shown as [10β], mainly comprises of:
• Plurality of platform with knife extensions [90];
• Spacer [360];
• Plurality of depth guard bolts [350];
• Front plate [380]; • Rear plate [390] and
• Handle [340].
9. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that each two platforms with knife extensions [90] are provided with spacer [360] in between, in order to keep the preferable distance between two respective platforms with knife extensions [90], resulting into the preferable fix distance between each two rows of pre-formed slits.
10. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] are provided with plurality of holes [ 100], which may be made at various distances from upper border of the platform with knife extensions [90] to provide preferable ergonomic angle.
11. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that front and rear side of platform with knife extensions [90] are arranged alternatively along with a spacer [360] in between to achieve preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits.
12. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that front plate [380] and rear [390] plate holding the bunch of plurality of platform with knife extensions [90] along with plurality of spacers [360] are fixed by the handle [340] through the nut bolts [330].
13. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that thickness of the spacer [360] is in range of 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm.
14. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1 and 8, characterized in that plurality of depth guard bolts [350] are provided at bottom of the front plates [280] and [380] for adjustment of the length of plurality of knife extensions [80] that can be pierced in the skin and to prevent over insertion of knife by controlling the depth of the slits/ incisions.
15. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke as claimed claims 1 and 8, characterized in that variation in the front plates [280] and [380] can be provided with plurality of rods [430], fixed to the front plates [280] and [380] respectively at the position of plurality of middle holes [310] and [410], to ease out the procedure of assembling the hair transplantation instrument [10a / 10β].
16. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that slits/incisions can be made at desired distance without using spacer [360] by keeping the thickness of the platform comparatively more than plurality of knife extensions [80] in any variation of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160].
17. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke characterized in which, a variation in hair transplantation instrument shown as [ 10γ], which mainly comprises of:
• Plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90];
· Tail end [440];
• Grip area [450];
• Head end [460];
• Plurality of compression plates [480] and
• Nut bolts [330].
18. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that head end [460] is provided with plurality of gaps [470] of different depths to accommodate plurality of platform with knife extensions [20/90] to provide preferable ergonomic angle.
19. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that front side and rear side of the platform with knife extensions [20/90] are used alternatively, to achieve preferable pattern of multiple equidistance slits.
20. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that plurality of compression plates [480] are compressed by tightening the plurality of nut bolts [330] to immobilize the platforms with knife extensions [20/90] arranged in plurality of gaps[470].
21. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 17 and 18, characterized in that distance between two respective gaps [470] is in range of 0.4 mm to 1.6 mm.
22. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 8 and 17, characterized in that any of platform with knife extensions [20/90] can be replaced by the platform with knife extensions [160].
23. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1 , 8, 17 and 22, characterized in that the difference of distance between the starting of platform - starting of first knife extension and the distance between the end of last knife extension - end of the platform is the mean of width of knife extension and distance between two respective knife extensions in each variation of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160]. The said distance is kept to get the preferred pattern of multiple equidistance slits by keeping front and rear sides of platform alternatively in the knife holding instrument.
24. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1 , 8, 17 and 22, characterized in' that plurality of knife extensions [80] in platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] are identical and extending from bottom of the platform.
25. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and
22, characterized in that the number of plurality of knife extensions [80] in each platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is in range of 2 to 20.
26. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1 , 8, 17 and
22, characterized in that the width of plurality of knife extensions [80] in each platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is in range of 0.5 mm to 1.8 mm.
27. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and 22, characterized in that the length of plurality of knife extensions [80] in each platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is in range of 2.5 mm to 8 mm.
28. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and 22, characterized in that the distance between each two knife extensions in each platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is in range of o.3 mm to 1.8 mm.
29. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and 22, characterized in that the shape of plurality of knife extensions [80] in each platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] may vary from conical to rectangular.
30. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and 22, characterized in that the shape of plurality of knife extensions [80] in each platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is preferably conical.
31. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple 5 slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and
22, characterized in that plurality of knife extensions [80] in each platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] is provided with the cutting edges either only at tip or on the side/s to make a row of multiple slits of equal size, depth, angle and direction.
0
32. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and 22, characterized in that extensions/ joints or adhesives [ 120] can be provided with each platform with knife extensions5 [20,90, 130, 160] to hold the platform or can be molded to hold the platform to serve the purpose of slit making.
33. A hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claims 1, 8, 17 and0 22, characterized in that the upper end of platform with knife extensions [20,90, 130, 160] can be provided with variation in angle.
34. An improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke can be,5 incorporated with either of the bar(s) [500, 510, 520] which are respectively of rectangular, semi-conical and conical shape having notch [530] at both the ends whereby, a. either of the bar [510/520] can be incorporated in an0 ergonomical manner between two respective platforms with knife extensions [20/90/ 130/ 160] of hair transplantation instrument [10α/ 10β/ 10γ] which increases the distance between two respective rows of slits/ incisions to achieve the desired density of transplanted hair by incorporating the said bar [510/ 520] in the said hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10β/ 10γ] without dismantling or reassembling the said instrument and b. either of the bar(s) [500/ 510/ 520] can be incorporated to serve the purpose of depth guard as by selecting the height of the bar(s) [500/ 510/ 520], the depth of the slits/ incisions can be adjusted as per requirement.
35. An improved hair transplantation instrument [10α/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 34, whereby the thickness of upper border of the conical shape bar(s) [520] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm, whereas the thickness of lower border of the conical shape bar(s) [520] is sum of the thickness of upper border and 0.05 to 0.40mm.
36. An improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 34, whereby the thickness of upper border of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm, whereas the thickness of lower border of the semi conical shape bar(s) [510] is sum of the thickness of upper border and 0.05 to 0.25mm.
37. An improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 34, whereby the thickness of rectangular bar(s) [500] ranges between 0.4 to 1.6mm which is same as the thickness of carrier [240/260] and spacer [360].
38. An improved hair transplantation instrument [ 10a/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 34, whereby the height of the bar(s) [500, 510 and 520] ranges between 1.5 to 3.5mm.
39. An improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 34, whereby the front plate [540] and rear plate [550] of the hair transplantation instrument [10a] are provided with the notch [560] to fix them with the notch [530] of the bar(s) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
40. An improved hair transplantation instrument [ 10α/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/ incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 34, whereby the front plate [570] and rear plate [580] of the hair transplantation instrument [10β] are provided with the notch [590] to fix them with the notch [530] of the bar(s) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
41. An improved hair transplantation instrument [10a/ 10β/ 10γ] for making multiple slits/incisions in a single stroke as claimed in claim 34, whereby the compression plates [600] of the hair transplantation instrument [10γ] are provided with the notch [610] to fix them with the notch [530] of the bar(s) [500/510/520] with rubber band/ stainless steel wire.
PCT/IN2012/000412 2011-06-13 2012-06-12 An improved hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke WO2013051015A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN1720/MUM/2011 2011-06-13
IN1720MU2011 2011-06-13
IN1693MU2012 2012-06-11
IN1693/MUM/2012 2012-06-11

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013051015A2 true WO2013051015A2 (en) 2013-04-11
WO2013051015A3 WO2013051015A3 (en) 2013-08-08

Family

ID=47521068

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IN2012/000412 WO2013051015A2 (en) 2011-06-13 2012-06-12 An improved hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2013051015A2 (en)

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5578054A (en) 1994-08-31 1996-11-26 Arnold; James E. Method for hair transplantation
US5611811A (en) 1994-04-29 1997-03-18 Star-Wood, Inc. Micro and mini hair transplant device
US5858019A (en) 1997-10-15 1999-01-12 Ashraf; Bahman Graft site cutter
US20010034534A1 (en) 2000-01-26 2001-10-25 James Transue Apparatus and method for making incisions for hair grafts
US20030097143A1 (en) 2001-11-20 2003-05-22 Mark Mittelstaedt Multi-bladed surgical scalpel
US20030097144A1 (en) 2001-11-17 2003-05-22 Lee Hoon Bum Hair transplant device
US6572625B1 (en) 1998-09-13 2003-06-03 William R. Rassman Hair transplant harvesting device and method for its use
US20030120298A1 (en) 2000-04-20 2003-06-26 Gildenberg Philip L. Hair transplantation method and apparatus
US20080033455A1 (en) 2006-08-03 2008-02-07 Rassman William R Hair extraction device and method for its use
US20100179580A1 (en) 2009-01-15 2010-07-15 Oostman Clifford A Anti-Popping Devices and Methods for Hair Implantation

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20010016936A (en) * 1999-08-05 2001-03-05 김정철 A hair transplanter
TWI321589B (en) * 2002-12-27 2010-03-11 Ind Tech Res Inst A dissecting device for cell and tissue aggregates

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5611811A (en) 1994-04-29 1997-03-18 Star-Wood, Inc. Micro and mini hair transplant device
US5578054A (en) 1994-08-31 1996-11-26 Arnold; James E. Method for hair transplantation
US5858019A (en) 1997-10-15 1999-01-12 Ashraf; Bahman Graft site cutter
US6572625B1 (en) 1998-09-13 2003-06-03 William R. Rassman Hair transplant harvesting device and method for its use
US20010034534A1 (en) 2000-01-26 2001-10-25 James Transue Apparatus and method for making incisions for hair grafts
US20030120298A1 (en) 2000-04-20 2003-06-26 Gildenberg Philip L. Hair transplantation method and apparatus
US20030097144A1 (en) 2001-11-17 2003-05-22 Lee Hoon Bum Hair transplant device
US20030097143A1 (en) 2001-11-20 2003-05-22 Mark Mittelstaedt Multi-bladed surgical scalpel
US20080033455A1 (en) 2006-08-03 2008-02-07 Rassman William R Hair extraction device and method for its use
US20100179580A1 (en) 2009-01-15 2010-07-15 Oostman Clifford A Anti-Popping Devices and Methods for Hair Implantation

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2013051015A3 (en) 2013-08-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP4612042B2 (en) Hair follicle extraction method and instrument using the same
US5922000A (en) Linear punch
US9987038B2 (en) Follicle punch for use with curled follicles
US8622925B2 (en) Dermal punch device
US20040092924A1 (en) Method and device for follicular hair transplantation
US20060015128A1 (en) Surgical devices and method for skin removal
US20100057100A1 (en) Multiple bladed surgical knife and method of use
JP2015003055A (en) Tissue repair kit
US20010034534A1 (en) Apparatus and method for making incisions for hair grafts
CN113645908A (en) Device for skin biopsy
US10159508B2 (en) Follicle punch for use with curled follicles
US5984936A (en) Impulsive cutter and process for hair graft preparation
WO2014136119A1 (en) Implantating device
WO2013051015A2 (en) An improved hair transplantation instrument for making multiple slits /incisions in a single stroke
US20050049622A1 (en) Multi-bladed surgical scalpel
US10702373B2 (en) Hair graft placement apparatus used for hair transplantations
CN212698984U (en) Novel medical minimally invasive multi-plant hair transplantation fracture preset device
KR20190091273A (en) Devices with needles for the extraction of elongated hair follicles
SE1650588A1 (en) Multi-layer dermatome
Fan et al. Minigraft preparation in surgical hair replacement
WO2018231169A1 (en) Apparatus with needle for the extraction of long hair follicles
WO2015005970A1 (en) Follicle punch for use with curled follicles
CN112190293A (en) Novel medical minimally invasive multi-plant hair transplantation fracture preset device
Whitworth et al. A comparison of graft implantation techniques for hair transplantation
CN215899820U (en) Breast augmentation operation stripper

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 12812729

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

122 Ep: pct app. not ent. europ. phase

Ref document number: 12812729

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2