Systems and methods for improving follicular unit harvesting
US8545517B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 4, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/20016
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Tools and methods are provided for dissecting and/or removing biological units, such as hair follicles, from the body surface based on the images both above and below a body surface to reduce potential damage to the removed biological unit. The invention may be used in fully automated systems and also in a hand-held devices and systems. A system may produce a series of three-dimensional images of the body surface indicating follicular unit size, shape, position, and orientation both above and below the skin surface. The images may be utilized by an automated follicular unit harvesting tool, or maybe stored for later use. Imaging techniques include devices that sense light in the visible or infrared spectrums, optical coherence tomography, and ultrahigh frequency ultrasound.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.