Hair transplantation method and apparatus

A method for transplanting hair by implanting at least one hair follicle into a portion of a patient's scalp, the patient's scalp having a plurality of existing hair follicles comprising the steps of:

• providing a robot, the robot including at least one robotic arm, the at least one robotic arm having a first end;
• associating a hair follicle effector with the first end of the robotic arm, the robotic arm being adjustably maneuverable so that the hair follicle effector is capable of being selectably placed proximate the patient's scalp;
• loading the hair follicle effector with at least one existing hair follicle;
• disposing the first end of the robotic arm adjacent to the patient's scalp;
• moving the hair follicle effector toward the patient's scalp;
• and
• operating the hair follicle effector to implant the at least one existing hair follicle into a portion of the patient's scalp.

A hair transplantation apparatus for harvesting at least one hair follicle from a portion of a patient's scalp comprising:

• a robot, including at least one robotic arm having a first end adapted to be disposed adjacent the patient's scalp;
• a hair follicle effector associated with the first end of the robotic arm, the robotic arm being adjustably maneuverable so that the hair follicle effector is capable of being selectably placed proximate the patient's scalp;
• and
• the hair follicle effector being moved and operated to harvest the at least one hair follicle from a portion of the patient's scalp.

A method for transplanting hair by harvesting at least one hair follicle from a portion of a patient's scalp, the patient's scalp having a plurality of existing hair follicles comprising the steps of:

• providing a robot, the robot including at least one robotic arm, the at least one robotic arm having a first end;
• associating a hair follicle effector with the first end of the robotic arm, the robotic arm being adjustably maneuverable so that the hair follicle effector is capable of being selectably placed proximate the patient's scalp;
• disposing the first end of the robotic arm adjacent to the patient's scalp;
• moving the hair follicle effector toward the patient's scalp;
• and
• operating the hair follicle effector to harvest the at least one existing hair follicle from a portion of the patient's scalp.