Hair transplant device

Abstract

A hair implantation instrument herein employs a simple means for capturing a hair graft in a needle in a position for implantation into a scalp and an escapement mechanism for withdrawing the needle in a manner to leave the graft in the scalp. The needle is moved with respect to a rod which positions an implanted graft properly when the needle is withdrawn. The apparatus also defines a sheath over the needle for properly positioning a graft during a graft capture operation. The escapement mechanism is vacuum controlled in one embodiment and spring controlled in a second embodiment.

1 . Apparatus for implanting a hair graft into a scalp, said apparatus comprising a first chamber having an axis and a rod in a fixed position along said axis, said chamber including a hollow needle also aligned along said axis, said needle encompassing said rod and having a tip for insertion and a side opening therein spaced apart from said tip, said needle being movable along said axis between a first position at which said side opening is located near the end of said rod and a second position at which the needle tip is located at the end of said rod.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  including escapement means for withdrawing said needle to said second position.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus as in  claim 2  wherein said needle has a distal end attached to a spring loaded element movable in a manner to secure said needle in said second position.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus as in  claim 3  also including means for communicating with said side opening for creating a vacuum within said needle.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus as in  claim 1  including vacuum means for moving said needle to said first position.  
   
   
       6 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A hair graft implanter comprising a hollow needle having a side opening spaced apart from a needle tip for insertion, a central axis, and a solid rod in a fixed position along said axis, said implanter including means for moving said needle to a first position at which said needle and said side opening extend beyond the end of said rod and a second position at which said needle extends to the end of said rod.  
   
   
       15 . A hair graft implanter as in  claim 14  wherein said means for moving comprises means for moving said needle beyond the end of said rod and simultaneously creating a vacuum within said needle.  
   
   
       16 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . Apparatus including a hollow needle with a coaxial solid rod and a side opening spaced apart from a needle tip for insertion, said rod being in a fixed position with respect to said apparatus, means to move said needle between a first position with respect to said rod where the needle tip is at the end of the rod and a second position with respect to said rod where the needle tip and the side opening are beyond the rod, and means for retaining a hair graft within said needle in the section between said first and second positions.  
   
   
       23 . Apparatus as in  claim 5  wherein said first chamber and said vacuum means are detachable from one another.  
   
   
       24 . A hair graft implanter as in  claim 14  in combination with a sealable vacuum chamber for accepting said needle when said needle is in a position extended beyond said rod, said vacuum chamber including means for creating a vacuum within said needle, said chamber including a sheath for encompassing said needle when said needle is in a nonextended position.  
   
   
       25 . Apparatus as in  claim 22  further comprising means for capturing including a sealable vacuum chamber, said chamber including a sheath-like extension and being adapted to receive a needle of a length to extend entirely through said chamber and into said sheath-like extension.  
   
   
       26 . Apparatus as in  claim 25  wherein said vacuum chamber can be disengaged from said apparatus.  
   
   
       27 - 29 . (canceled)