I spend this past week trying to gather this info, and here’s a summary of my conversations with the Berman Skin Institute. I confirmed that their clinics have-been charged to conduct the Restoration Robotics study. In fact, their clinical trials have been ongoing for 2½ years and will be ongoing for another 2½ years. That puts them in the middle of phase II testing (what they refer to as protocols). They confirmed this device is a similar, but fully automated version of the Punch Hair Matic I mentioned earlier. Obviously this technology won’t increase hair counts, but it will certainly make hair transplants affordable for the regular guy just trying to pay his rent.
Here is the press release.
ROBOTS Perform Hair Transplantation?
Restoration Robotics, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA has selected David A. Berman, M.D. as the Principal Clinical Investigator to lead their FDA clinical trials using the company’s revolutionary robot device for hair transplantation procedures. Hair transplantation surgery is the most commonly performed cosmetic surgical procedure for men, worldwide. If you have hair loss on the crown, or top of the scalp (see photo) and would like to be paid to be a part of this study, please email clinicaltrials at bermanmd dot com or call 1-650-325-6000 to arrange a complimentary consultation to see if you qualify to become a candidate for this revolutionary procedure.
Here is the criteria:
Male between 18-65 years old
Crown recession (Hairline testing will commence in spring 09)
Dark, Straight Hair (non curly or wavy)
No previous hair transplant surgery/ procedures
No use of Rogaine or Propecia
www.bermanmd.com
Additional Info:
Also, here is the link to an article with some more info on the Restoration Robotics Technology (they don’t have a website)
http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/robots/dn13898-surgical-robot-gives-hair-transplants-a-natural-look.html
Here is the link to the Punch Hair Matic. The Restoration Robotics device is said to be a fully automated, and more efficient version of this Device.
www.medicamat.com/materiel/hair-transplant/punchhairmatic.html?L=1