Patent ID: 8202279
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A process comprising: providing a tubular punch comprising a hollow cylinder having an axis, a first open end, a second open end, an interior space, and an outer diameter not exceeding about 5.0 millimeters, wherein said first end of said tubular punch comprises a cylindrical cutting end which is capable of piercing skin tissue; applying surgical lubricant to said cylindrical cutting end of said tubular punch; contacting said cylindrical cutting end to the skin tissue of a mammalian subject, such that a hair on said skin tissue of said mammalian subject is disposed within said interior space, and such that said axis of said cylinder is disposed at a first angle with respect to the surface of said skin tissue of said subject, wherein said first angle is between about 85 degrees and about 95 degrees; penetrating said skin tissue of said subject with said cylindrical cutting end to an initial penetration depth of at least about 0.05 millimeters but no greater than about 0.3 millimeters; tilting said tubular punch, at least partially in response to said cylindrical cutting end penetrating said skin tissue to said initial penetration depth, so that said tubular punch is disposed at a second angle with respect to said surface of said skin tissue of said subject, which second angle is selected from the group consisting of: any angle between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees or about an angle of hair growth; further penetrating said skin tissue of said subject with said cylindrical cutting end to a selectable depth of at least about 2 millimeters but no greater than about 7 millimeters while substantially maintaining said tubular punch at said second angle with respect to the surface of said skin tissue of said subject and while maintaining said hair within said interior space to cause follicle(s) within which said hair grows to be disposed within said interior space; removing said follicle(s) from said subject; and treating an incision site with an antibiotic ointment or a topical steroid.