Patent ID: 8366723

Claim:
A method for extraction of a follicular unit comprising, providing a fluid conduit with a distal end for discharging fluid and a punch with a distal end and an apparatus for advancing each of them and a source of fluid for injection through the fluid conduit; placing the fluid conduit proximate and external to the punch with the distal end of the fluid conduit extending below the distal end of the punch; aligning the punch with a target follicular unit; advancing the punch to the skin surface aligned with the target follicular unit and advancing the distal end of the fluid conduit into in the dermal area proximate the target follicular unit; initially injecting fluid into the dermal area around the target follicular unit through the fluid conduit to surround and compress the target follicular unit and to cause stabilization of the dermal area; further advancing the punch around the target follicular unit to a final position in which the target follicular unit has been excised; extracting the target follicular unit.