Patent ID: 7172604

Claim:
An instrument to extract live hair follicles from mammalian skin tissue, the instrument comprising: a) a main body portion having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longest length dimension, and further comprising a first bore centrally disposed therethrough, wherein the axis of said first bore runs parallel to said longest length dimension of said main body portion, and wherein said first bore comprises an inner surface within said main body; b) a nipple end portion having a first end portion and a tip portion, and further including a second bore centrally disposed therethrough, wherein said first end portion of said nipple end portion is attached to said second end portion of said main body portion, and wherein said second bore comprises an inner surface within said nipple end; c) a tubular punch means having a first end portion and a sharp end portion, wherein said tubular punch exists substantially in the form of a hollow cylinder having an interior space, and an outer diameter, and wherein said tubular punch means is slidably disposed within said second bore; d) a stabilizer means disposed within said first bore and in contact with said tubular punch means; and e) an adjustment screw comprising a head portion, a threaded outer surface, and an end, wherein said adjustment screw is disposed within said first bore such that its threaded outer surface is in effective mechanical contact with said inner surface within said main body, and wherein said end of said adjustment screw is disposed to be selectively contactable with at least one element selected from the group of: said stabilizer and said tubular punch means.