Patent ID: 8512356
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A follicular unit harvesting tool, comprising: a tool housing; a hair harvesting cannula extending from the tool housing, the hair harvesting cannula having an interior lumen sized for harvesting individual follicular units and an open distal end in communication with the lumen, the distal end having a coring edge configured to dissect tissue to encapsulate a follicular unit in the lumen of the harvesting cannula; and a grasping device extending from the tool housing and having at least two arms, each arm extending to a respective tip, one or both of the harvesting cannula and grasping device being movable with respect to the tool housing and relative to the other, the grasping device having an open position in which the arm tips are separated and a closed position in which the arm tips are positioned in close proximity to each other and beyond the distal end of the hair harvesting cannula, the grasping device being configured to grasp and/or sever a connective tissue strand connecting a follicular unit to a body surface from which the follicular unit was harvested; and an actuation system accommodated by the tool housing and configured to provide controlled lateral and longitudinal movement of the arms of the grasping device such that each arm is allowed to move laterally without simultaneously moving the grasping device or a portion thereof longitudinally.