The invention is related to an apparatus with a needle that enables the extraction of hair follicles for hair transplantation without the need for hair trimming or shaving.

Known Status of the Technique

During embryogenesis, lifeless extensions, namely "hairs" develop in the follicles that elongate the mesenchymal cells to the dermis or subcutaneous tissue in an intricate way. Hair is presented in different lengths and exists in many regions of the human body.

Sub-dermal and invisible hair follicle plugs are present on the head area of the human body called the scalp. Via signals incoming from certain parts of the body, the follicles become active and hairs reach the surface from below the scalp and grow an average of 0.41 mm each day. On average 100.000 - 125.000 hairs are present on the head area of the human body. Each hair has an independent life cycle. Considering this cycle, an average of 100 hairs per day fall out.

In addition to normal hair loss, people who are exposed to stress, tobacco, radiation, chemotherapy, various treatment methods, genetic character, etc. may experience no new hair growth. Over time, hair may become absent in certain sections of the scalp or on the entire scalp. The hair follicles harvested from the human body via the hair transplantation method are transferred to these areas with little or no hair growth (recipient area) and new areas with hair can be obtained.

Hair transplantation with long hair begins with the shaving of the patient's hair at the neck area. The hair is extracted, shortened and analyzed under a microscope. Incisions are made in the patient's recipient area using micro blades. The hair follicles extracted from the neck region are handled with forceps and are placed into the incisions using slight pressure and force. This procedure can be carried out manually or via motorized devices. Every 8 out of 10 hair follicles placed into the incisions using pressure and force will attach to the tissue within the incision site and this creates yield loss of 20%. In addition to the high inefficiency of the 20% loss, the procedure is time consuming, painful, costly and fails to obtain the density and natural appearance desired. Incisions take longer to heal and hair growth may take up to 1 year.

The useful model in our file, named "Needle for Harvesting Long Hair Follicles During the Hair Transplantation Procedure" and numbered 2016/15812, is a manual needle that enables harvesting of hair follicles prior to hair transplantation without the need for the hair trimming or shaving. Following the placement of the hair into the incisions with the needle, the specialist who performs the hair transplantation procedure creates a cut in the surrounding tissue of the hair follicle using a rotational motion for extracting the hair follicle. The invention is mounted on an additional retention device to create the ease of implementation.

Problems The Invention Aims To Solve And Analysis The invention provides a natural and desirable look on the same day of the hair transplantation.

Prior to this invention and its technique, the hair in the donor area was shaved down to a number 0 or number 1 hair length that corresponds to a length of less than 1 mm. The procedure was completed after the extracted hair follicles from the donor area were placed into incisions made in the recipient area using micro blades. Following this procedure, during which a minimum of 2500 hair follicles were placed, the area was left with thousands of small red wounds which created a poor appearance. Hair growth and the complete disappearance of this post-operative appearance could take up to 12 months. Often times, the patient's psychological state was poor as well due to their appearance while going about daily routines. The invention of this technique enables the extraction of the hair follicles without the need for shaving or trimming, thus allowing the patient to continue with his or her normal daily life with the density and natural appearance desired on the same day as surgery. Disclosure Of The Invention Via Drawings

Figure 1. Isometric side view of the invention

Figure 2. Unmounted side view of the invention

Figure 3. Isometric view of handle and handle extension

Figure 4. Isometric view of handle

Figure 5. Isometric view of the tip of the invention

Numbering Of The Sections

1. Handles

1.1. Cleaning Gap

1.2. Forceps

1.3. Peak

2. Holder

2.1. Holder Extension

2.2. Hook

2.3. Handle Contact Area

3. Punch

3.1. Sharp tip

4. Nut

Technical Specifications And Description Of The Invention

The invention related to an apparatus with a needle that enables the harvesting of hair follicles before hair transplantation without the need for a trimming or shaving the hair. The invention consists of a handle (1), cleaning gap (1.1), forceps (1.2), peak (1.3), holder (2), holder extension (2.1), hook (2.2), handle contact area (2.3), punch (3), sharp tip (3.1) and nut (4). Handle (1) is the section held by the person performing the procedure The handle (1) contains a holder (2) on one tip and a forceps (1.2) on the other. The handle (1) includes a cleaning gap (1.1) for the cleaning of dust and hair fragments that accumulate in the inside due to the extraction of hair. The holder (2) can be inserted-removed from the peak (2.3) with a gapped middle section structure that is located on the handle (1). The handle contact point (2.3) is located on the holder (2) and has the same with as the handle (1). The handle contact point (2.3) prevents the complete insertion of the holder (2) into the handle (1) and creates a border point within the handle (1). The holder extension (2.1) extends through the handle (1) and passes by the cleaning gap (1.1) and forceps (1.2). Additionally the ergonomic structure of the holder (2) enables the devise to be held with the fingers of both hands.

The punch (3) is inserted into the forceps (1.2). The punch (3) has the appearance of a cylinder containing two open tips and sharp tips (3.1). Following the insertion of the punch (3) into the forceps (1.2), the nut (4) passes over the forceps (1.2) and fixes the punch (3) by compressing the forceps (1.2).

The holder extension (2.1) passes through the punch (3), which is fixed within the forceps (1.2) and extends to the outside. A hook (2.2) with an average thickness of a hair is present in the tip area of the holder extension (2.1). During the hair follicle extraction procedure, the operator holds the handle (1) area and holds the hair via the hook (2.2). When the operator pulls the holder (2) upwards, the hair contained within the hook (2.2) slides into the punch (3) and handle (1). When the operator moves the handle (1) in a circular motion, the sharp tip (3.1) located on the punch (3) creates a cut in the surrounding area of the hair follicle. Afterwards, with the help of forceps, the hair follicle is extracted and re-used for the hair transplantation procedure. The invention enables the extraction of hair follicles regardless of the size of the hair.