Methods of harvesting and implanting follicular units using a coaxial tool

A method of transplanting a hair follicular unit using a multi-part tool assembly carried on a moveable arm of an automated system, the tool assembly comprising coaxially disposed harvesting and implanting cannulas, the method comprising:

• positioning the moveable arm so as to place the harvesting cannula in proximity with a selected follicular unit to be harvested from a donor area;
• advancing the harvesting cannula relative to the donor area so that an open, tissue coring distal end of the harvesting cannula penetrates a surface surrounding the selected follicular unit to a depth sufficient to substantially encapsulate the follicular unit, and when harvesting, a tissue-piercing distal end of the implanting cannula is located proximal to the distal end of the harvesting cannula;
• withdrawing the harvesting cannula from the donor area with the follicular unit engaged by and retained in an interior lumen of the harvesting cannula;
• positioning the moveable arm so that the tissue-piercing distal end of the implanting cannula is located adjacent a recipient area in a body surface;
• advancing the tissue piercing distal end of the implanting cannula to puncture the recipient area of the body surface and form an implantation cavity therein;
• and
• displacing the follicular unit from the harvesting cannula lumen into the implantation cavity.

A method of transplanting a hair follicular unit using a tool assembly comprising coaxially disposed harvesting and implanting cannulas and an automated positioning system operatively coupled to the cannulas, the method comprising:

• aligning the harvesting cannula of the tool assembly with a selected follicular unit to be harvested from a donor area of a body surface;
• advancing the harvesting cannula relative to the donor area so that an open, tissue coring distal end of the harvesting cannula penetrates the surface surrounding the selected follicular unit to a depth sufficient to substantially encapsulate the follicular unit, and when harvesting, a tissue-piercing distal end of the implanting cannula is located proximal to the distal end of the harvesting cannula;
• withdrawing the harvesting cannula distal end from the donor area with the follicular unit engaged by and retained in an interior lumen of the harvesting cannula;
• advancing the implanting cannula of the tool assembly relative to a recipient area of the body surface so that the tissue piercing distal end of the implanting cannula punctures the body surface and forms an implantation cavity therein;
• and
• displacing the follicular unit from the harvesting cannula lumen into the implantation cavity using an obturator slidably positioned in the harvesting cannula lumen,
• wherein at least one of the harvesting and implanting cannula is advanced by actuating one or more motors of the automated positioning system to cause translational movement of the respective harvesting or implanting cannula relative to the other.