received by the International Bureau on 15 May 2014 (15.05.2014) 1. A follicle punch comprising:

a generally tubular body disposed about a generally longitudinal axis and having a distal cutting end region terminating distally in a plurality of distally-extending, circumferentially disposed, generally prong-like members carrying distally diverging cutting edges and separated by follicle-accommodating slits. 2. The punch of Claim 1 wherein each of the prong-like each members include a beveled cutting surface terminating at a cutting edge. 3. The punch of Claim 2 wherein the bevel is formed on the inside surface of the tubular punch body. 4. The punch of Claim 3 wherein the cutting edge formed by the beveled cutting surface is at the punch's outer diameter.

5. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the prong-like members terminate in respective cutting edges having a longitudinal length in the range of substantially 1.65 mm to and including substantially 4 mm. 6. The punch of Claim 5 wherein the follicle-accommodating slits are substantially 2 mm to 4 mm longer than the cutting edges. 7. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the follicle-accommodating slits are substantially 2 mm to 4 mm longer than the cutting edges. 8. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the prong-like members respectively terminate distally in a sharp, point-like, leading tip which makes the initial penetration into tissue surrounding the follicle. 9. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the prong-like members respectively terminate distally in a sharp rounded leading tip which makes the initial penetration into tissue surrounding the follicle.

10. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the prong-like members terminate distally in respective leading tips that make the initial penetration into tissue surrounding the follicle, and the distal end region of the punch includes a generally circumferentially-extending notch having a generally concave shape that generally circumscribes the punch's outer surface. 11. The punch of Claim 10 wherein the notch preferably extends proximally 1-2 mm from the tips of the prong-like members. 12. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the slits each have a generally inverted "V" profile. 13. The punch of Claim 12 wherein the generally inverted "V" profile consists of a relatively distal segment and a relatively proximal segment that is more steeply tapered than the distal segment. 14. The punch of Claim 13 wherein the cutting edge of each prong-like member extends from its leading tip to the proximal end of the distal slit segment. 15. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the cutting edges have one or more serrations. 16. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the slits each have a generally inverted "U" shape. 17. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the prong-like members respectively terminate distally in a leading tip which makes the initial penetration into tissue surrounding the follicle, and the cutting edges extend proximally from the tips and next to the slits, the slits being longer than the cutting edges by a distance sufficient to enable the cutting edges to pass the follicle during insertion of the punch at a donor site so that any subsequent contact between the punch and follicle caused by a rotational movement of the punch about said axis and is not with a cutting edge.

18. The punch of Claim 1 including

a handpiece coupled to the punch for enabling the punch to be controllably manipulated by a user in the removal of a hair follicle from a targeted donor site, and

an ultrasonic transducer within the handpiece and coupled to the punch and selectively operable by the user to induce ultrasonic movement in the punch to enhance the cutting controllably cut the skin and tissue around a targeted donor site. 19. The punch of Claim 18 wherein the ultrasonic movement is generally axial. 20. The punch of Claim 1 wherein the prong-like members terminate distally in respective leading tips that make the initial penetration into tissue surrounding the follicle, and the distal end region of the punch comprising the prong-like members is flared.