Process for a customized production of skin patches (8), for realizing a customized patch according to a shape of the scalp of at least a patient, for hair thickening purposes, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- a) mapping of the patient:
- the aim of this step being that of collecting/acquiring all useful information and mapping the patient in order to create a digital copy of the same, that may be used in all production steps of the skin patch (8), said first main step including the following sub-steps:
- a1) acquisition/collection of the patient's parameters, consisting in an analysis and definition of the patient scalp properties, like hair typology, color, density and aesthetic properties, and identification of the affected skull area that needs to be covered by said skin patch (8);
- a2) application of a transparent film on the patient head, in order to promote an improved acquisition of the skull shape during a detection using a 3D scanning, and subsequent delimitation—by an operator who uses a dedicated kajal pencil—of said area affected by said detection;
- a3) detection of the skull shape by means of a 3D scanning of the braincase and employing structured light;
- a4) analysis and processing of a parametric 3D model (CAD) based on the aforementioned scanning (a3), which reflects perfectly the affected patient area, and subsequent generation of a patient's digital twin allowing accuracy and repeatability of all operations, and creation by means of a dedicated software of the design of a work head (1) that consists in a physical three-dimensional model that reproduces the skull surface (10) and corresponds to the acquired model:
- wherein, said work head (1) also includes a connection base (2) with a suction system (4) arranged in a part located below the skull surface reproduction (10);
- a5) processing of a follicle matrix (5) after completion of the CAD modeling of the work head (1), said follicle matrix (5) consisting in a plurality of conical holes (6) representing the distribution of the patient's hair follicles in compliance with the parameters acquired during the preceding steps a) and c);
- a6) production of a structure for a template (3) or mold adapted for reproducing the skin patch (8), using 3D printing with SLA technology (stereolithography), and mounting of said template (3) on a dedicated housing within a numerical control machine needed for working on curved surfaces of accomplished/completed semi-finished products, for performing a robotized microperforation;
- a7) robotized microperforation using a conical milling cutter, consisting in an automated realization of said plurality of conical holes (6) which correspond to points identified previously with the follicle matrix (5);
- b) preparation of the template (3) for further working, consisting in the application of a polymeric film having a thickness of from 0.3 to 0.8 mm, preferably made of compact elastic polyurethane (9), on an upper outer surface of the template, that is, in an area representing the skull surface (10) and the follicle matrix (5);
- b1) connecting to said template (3) a dedicated compressor that will push air through the micro-holes (6) in order to clean them up from residual material, if any;
- c) connecting, by means of a pure rotation, the template (3) to a suction system (4) using a dedicated threaded portion (12) adapted to engage with said connection base (2), and applying subsequently said hair (7) by bringing them, either manually or automatically, close to said template (3) connected to the suction system (4):
- c1) sucking the hair (7) into the dedicated/corresponding conical holes (6);
- c2) heating up, so as to bring the polymeric film (9) close to the melting point, thereby embedding this hair (7) in it and obtaining the desired effect of natural hair;
- c3) cooling down, until the polymeric film (9) again attains room temperature.