Tool assembly for harvesting and implanting follicular units

A method of transplanting a follicular unit using a tool assembly, the tool assembly comprising coaxially disposed harvesting and implanting cannulas, the method comprising:

• advancing a harvesting cannula relative to a donor area of a body surface to penetrate the body surface and to substantially encapsulate a follicular unit, and when penetrating the body surface to harvest the follicular unit, a tissue piercing distal end of an implanting cannula is located proximal to a distal end of the harvesting cannula;
• withdrawing the harvesting cannula from the body surface with the follicular unit retained in a lumen of the harvesting cannula;
• advancing the tissue piercing distal end of the implanting cannula to puncture a recipient area of the body surface and to form an implantation cavity therein;
• and
• displacing the follicular unit from the harvesting cannula lumen into the implantation cavity.

A method of transplanting a follicular unit using a tool assembly, the tool assembly comprising coaxially disposed harvesting and implanting cannulas, the method comprising:

• advancing a harvesting cannula relative to a donor area of a body surface to penetrate the body surface and to substantially encapsulate a follicular unit;
• withdrawing the harvesting cannula from the body surface with the follicular unit retained in a lumen of the harvesting cannula;
• advancing a tissue piercing distal end of an implanting cannula past a distal end of the harvesting cannula to puncture a recipient area of the body surface and to form an implantation cavity therein;
• and
• displacing the follicular unit from the harvesting cannula lumen into the implantation cavity.

An apparatus for harvesting and implanting hair follicular units, the apparatus including a tool assembly comprising:

• an implanting cannula having a distal end and a lumen,
• a harvesting cannula positioned coaxially relative to the implanting cannula, the harvesting cannula having a distal end and a lumen sized to receive a follicular unit;
• and
• one or more of a mechanical, electromechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, or magnetic system or mechanism configured to provide movement of at least one of the implanting or harvesting cannulas relative to the other and/or to the tool assembly;
• wherein the tool assembly is configured such that the distal end of the harvesting cannula is movable distally beyond the distal end of the implanting cannula and, when puncturing an implant region to form an implantation cavity, the distal end of the implanting cannula is advanced past the distal end of the harvesting cannula.