Implantation device with direct-to-needle aspiration of hair graft

Abstract

Device and method for implantation of hair grafts into the scalp of a patient. In the device, a cross-sectional shape of a rod riding in an implantation needle is configured with respect to the needle to communicate a vacuum in a chamber anterior to the needle forward to an interior of the needle, thereby facilitating loading of the hair graft into the device by direct-to-needle aspiration of the hair graft.

1 . A device for implantation of hair grafts, comprising:
 a handpiece extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the handpiece has a channel to which a source of vacuum is connectable;   a piston movable along the longitudinal axis between a rest position at a rearward end of the handpiece and an action position, wherein the piston is biased to the rest position, wherein in the rest position the piston defines a chamber in the handpiece in communication with vacuum from the channel, the chamber being forward of the piston;   a hollow needle extending beyond a sheath at a forward end of the handpiece; and   a central rod extending into the hollow needle and being movable relative to the hollow needle, wherein a cross-section of the rod is configured with a space with respect to the needle to communicate vacuum in the chamber to an interior of the needle to aspirate a hair graft into the needle.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handpiece has an orifice that vents the chamber to an outside of the handpiece so as to allow fingertip control of vacuum in the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein closure of the orifice creates a vacuum in the chamber such that the vacuum in the chamber is communicated via the space in the cross-sectional shape of the rod to aspirate a hair graft into the needle. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the handpiece has a stop at the rearward end thereof, and wherein the piston rests against the stop in the rest position. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the needle comprises a sharp bevel-shaped tip configured to form the incision into a scalp for implantation of the hair graft. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the needle is mounted for rotational motion so as to allow rotation of the bevel with respect to the orifice. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the central rod is adjustable along the longitudinal direction thereof so as to adjust an implantation depth of the hair graft. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the central rod has a circular cross-section and wherein vacuum in the chamber is communicated to the interior of the needle via an annular gap around the circumference of the central rod. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the central rod has a cross-section comprised of at least one of cross-sections that are cruciform, polygonal, star-shaped and hollow.