Skin Tensioning Devices and Methods of Their Use

Abstract

Devices and methods for applying tension to an area of skin during various cosmetic or dermatological procedures, in particular for follicular unit removal and/or implantation in a hair transplantation procedure, are provided. The systems and methods utilize a segmented structure configured to conform to the body surface of various sizes, shapes and/or textures, thus allowing for customization in order to fit a variety of persons. In some embodiments, the tensioning device may be temporary secured, for example, to a patient chair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A skin tensioning device forming a frame, the frame comprising:
 two elongated legs spaced apart from each other and each having a length, at least a portion of the length of each leg extending generally parallel to the other, wherein a generally rectangular opening is defined between the parallel portions of the legs which has a height dimension approximately equal to the spacing between the legs and a length dimension approximately equal to the length of the parallel portions of the legs;   wherein each leg of the two legs comprises at least two segments connected in series by a joint that is more flexible than the segments;   a body surface grabber provided along each segment of at least one of the legs, the body surface grabber being configured to apply a grabbing force to the body surface; and   wherein the frame is configured to 1) conform to a curved body surface by adjusting a relative position and/or curvature of the at least two segments and 2) apply tension to the body surface by adjusting the height of the opening or by a force directed to at least one of the segments of the leg that has the body surface grabber and away from the other leg.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the segments are substantially rigid. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the segments and the joint comprise the same material. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the segments and the joint form an integrated unit. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the segments are molded. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a hinge or pivot. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the hinge or pivot is lockable. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the segments vary in length. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein a unique characteristic is utilized to visually identify each of the various lengths of the segments. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the two elongated legs are configured to conform to the body surface. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises fiducials. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each leg comprises at least three segments, two end segments and a middle segment, and wherein the segments are attached end-to-end, the end segments being shorter in length than the middle segment. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the segments are detachable from each other and the frame is configured to allow adjustment of a number of the segments. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one securing member configured such that in operation it can be adjusted to alter a tension applied to the body surface by the skin tensioner or to secure the skin tensioner to the body surface. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the securing member comprises a strand and is detachable from the device. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the securing member is attached to the frame via a recess in the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The frame of  claim 14 , wherein the securing member comprises markings indicating the amount of tension being applied. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the opening of the frame is approximately 10-50% of the length of the opening. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body surface grabber comprises suction, an adhesive, or other structure configured to engage the body surface. 
     
     
         20 . A skin tensioning device forming a frame, the frame comprising:
 two elongated legs spaced apart from each other at least for a portion of a length of each leg, the portion of the length of one leg extending generally parallel to the portion of the length of the other leg forming an opening between the two legs;   wherein each leg of the two legs comprises a plurality of segments detachably connected in series to each other to form the length of each leg; and   wherein the frame is configured to apply tension to the body surface and to be customizable by varying a number of the segments in each leg to 1) span a desired length of a body surface and 2) to conform to a curved body surface.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , comprising a body surface grabber. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the body surface grabber comprises a plurality of body surface grabbers along each segment of at least one of the legs, the body surface grabbers being configured to apply a grabbing force to the body surface. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the body surface grabber comprises an adhesive, a suction, a barb, a microbarb, Velcro® material, ribs, ridges, pins, or rough surface texture. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the frame is configurable to fit multiple curvatures of a portion of the body surface. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the frame has a height defined by a distance between the portions of the length of the legs extending generally parallel to each other and wherein a ratio of the height of the frame and the length of each leg is approximately 10-50%, and more preferably, 10-30%. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein adjacent segments are coupled by flexible interconnections. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the flexible interconnections are configured to allow for adjusting a relative position and/or curvature of the segments. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein at least some segments of the plurality of segments vary in size, length and shape. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 20 , comprising a fluid flow channel. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 20 , comprising one or more fiducials.