Novel Technique of Follicular Unit Extraction Hair Transplantation with a Powered Punching Device

Abstract

The P-FUE method is a novel FUE procedure with many advantages over the conventional FUE technique.

Development of an intraoperative procedure for producing an autologous whole skin equivalent - prototype design and pilot resection force and tensile strength measurements

“…There is already a plethora of publications that describe the punching of whole skin islets and their further use, especially within the contexts of hair transplantation and vitiligo [20,21]. Whole skin punching has also been described in a number of patents filed by the food industry [22]. There are also numerous patents for various pieces of equipment designed to transplant autologous whole skin islets [23].…”

Follicular Unit Classification Method Using Angle Variation of Boundary Vector for Automatic Hair Implant System

“…Among the related image processing techniques, the FU classification technique is very important for future automatic FU harvest and transplantation systems because different sizes of punch blades according to the FU type should be used for minimizing blooding during automatic FU harvesting [11], [19], [20]. For future automatic FU transplantation by using the FUE method, furthermore, the exact number of hairs and the hair density of the recipient area should be known for precise hair transplantation [21]- [23].…”

“…Its algorithms set the alignment and depth for individual FU harvesting. As previously mentioned, hair transplantation techniques have been researched and advanced through developments in the harvesting devices [11], [18]- [20]. In particular, the recently developed FU harvest system, the ARTAS robotic system, uses digital image processing techniques to obtain FU information (type, angle orientation, and direction) on the donor area and automatically selects and harvests the FU grafts without human intervention [14].…”

“…After the appropriate number of units has been removed, technicians separate the grafts into units of one to three hairs, and these grafts are implanted much the same way as in the "strip" method [10]. An improved FUE procedure using a motordriven handpiece (that is, the powered FUE (P-FUE) method) was introduced in [11].…”

“…Its features include high-resolution digital imaging, micron-level targeting accuracy using image-guided robotic alignment, and precision beyond that of manual techniques; its minimally invasive dissection delivers healthy, intact grafts with nearly undetectable harvest sites [17]. Through highresolution digital imaging, it visualizes the surface of the scalp in three dimensions with micron-level precision, and the stereo digital imaging maps the coordinates, angle orientation, and direction for each FU, and determines the density and distribution of the FUs [11]. Its algorithms set the alignment and depth for individual FU harvesting.…”