Tuesday, May 3, 2011

FDA Approves Hair Restoration Robot




The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a machine that combines a computer, a robotic arm, imaging technology and other devices to fight hair loss.


The Artas System is positioned over the man's scalp, to identify and "harvest" follicular units from the side and back of the head. The follicular units are stored until they are implanted into the patient's recipient area using manual techniques.


Artas System officials say is a quicker and less invasive system that can improve hair extraction rates to 750 to 1,000 units an hour.


However, Artas officials say only males with brown or black hair are candidates for the system.


Follicular unit extraction involves using a small dermal punch to individually dissect out follicular units directly from the scalp. The creation of small follicular unit grafts has enabled hair restoration surgeons to create natural appearing hairlines, Artas officials say.