ARTAS® Procedure
Minimally-invasive procedure with permanent, natural-looking results without the plugs, pain, and stitches associated with traditional hair transplants.
The ARTAS® Procedure enables hair restoration physicians to transplant hair without a linear scar. It’s made possible using advanced technology that selectively harvests hair directly from the scalp. You can get a permanent, fuller head of hair without a linear scar.
BENEFITS
- Reduced incidence of “shock loss” – see ARTAS Hair Studio. Shock loss can occur from manual creation of recipient site incisions on top of head. Robot reduces that risk.
- No linear incision
- No linear scar
- Increased accuracy of graft placement at proper angles and orientation
- Increased graft survival
- Increased accuracy of graft harvesting
- Faster healing time
- Expanding the donor area to include areas remote from the scalp, such as the chest or back
- Reduced duration of the procedure
- Reduced recovery time
ARTAS® Hair Studio™ software allows Dr. Kojouri to create a 3D-like image from five photographs, allowing us to show you what you would look like with different amounts of grafts placed.
ARTAS® Hair Studio™ software allows Dr. Kojouri to create a hair design that can be shared with you prior to the procedure. This digital design is then uploaded to the robot. On the top/front of your scalp the robot will make different densities of needle slits in which grafts are placed, allowing greater precision and appropriate density of hair in different areas of your scalp.
ALTERNATIVES
- Strip harvesting technique
- Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technique performed manually
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Targeting Follicular Units: The medical staff sees a magnified stereo-view of the scalp. The software digitizes this view. Complex imaging algorithms compute angles, orientation, location of follicular units on the scalp as well as follicular unit type (1,2,3) – this is the basis for accurate targeting. Additionally, stereoscopic video images guide the movement of the needle mechanism and robotic arm. This function is known as visual serving.
Two punches, an inner and outer, arranged concentrically: The inner punch is sharp and has a 1mm internal diameter castellated edge that makes a shallow incision in the skin of 1-3mm. The outer punch is blunt, with an internal diameter of 1.37mm. The Outer punch enters the scalp through the incision made by the inner punch. It spins or oscillates into the scalp while bluntly dissecting 7-8mm into the skin around the follicle. Donor area hair is cropped to 1mm length. Lidocaine is injected into the skin of the scalp to numb the area. Tension is applied to scalp using a specially designed retractor. Patient is in the semi-prone position in our specialized chair. Camera system scans the patient’s scalp and identifies groups of 1-3 hairs (follicular units, FUs). System automatically targets FUs for harvesting based on medical staff input. The process is semi-automated: it can automatically target 5, 10, 15, or more follicular units sequentially; additionally, the system periodically prompts the medical staff user for input.
The ARTAS Hair Studio Technology is a Powerful Tool Integral to the Patient Consultation Experience
INTRODUCTION
The three primary objectives of a consultation and pre-operative planning are first to establish a rapport with the prospective patient, second to educate him about the nature of hair loss as well as the benefits and limitations of hair transplantation, and finally, to evaluate their individual situation to determine a specific and personalized hair restoration plan.
Proper assessment of patient expectations before surgery is performed is a vital part of this consultative process. One cannot have satisfied patients without meeting their expectations. To meet the patient’s expectations, a physician needs to do the following: Assess a patient’s initial expectations; determine the potential achievable aesthetic results for this specific patient; inform the patient about realistic expectations.
Current techniques for consulting with the patients involve drawing the hairline design with surgical pens and having patients imagine what they may look like after hair transplantation. Physicians attempt to describe to patients what coverage and aesthetic outcome they may achieve with different hair transplant sessions sizes (e.g. 1500 grafts, 2000 grafts, 3000 grafts) by showing the patient photos of other patients “like them” who underwent a similar procedure. Unfortunately, these methods fall short of answering a fundamental question patients have when making this important and life-changing decision: “what will I look like after a hair transplantation.”
In my clinic, we have adopted the ARTAS Hair Studio (AHS) technology as an integral part of the patient experience. The AHS is a powerful tool that helps me customize my consultation for a specific patient and set realistic expectations.
THE ARTAS HAIR STUDIO CONSULTATION PROCESS
When the patient first visits the clinic for their consultation, my staff takes five photographs of their face and head (front, back, top, left and right profile). These photographs are uploaded onto the AHS software. My staff or I create the 3D model on the dedicated tablet computer. The process of model building should take less than 5 minutes. This is completed prior to my sitting with and consulting with the patient.
When I see the patient, I conduct my customary interview with regards to hair loss history and medical treatment options. Once we make a determination that the patient is a good candidate for the hair restoration procedure, I begin using the AHS to engage in a dialogue as to what are their aesthetic goals and expectations.
One of the major areas of the consultation is determining where the reconstructed hairline will be positioned. Patients often come into the consultation with a pre-conceived idea of where they want their new hairline; many times, they bring photographs of themselves of when they were much younger and want their hairline positioned low on their frontal scalp as if they are in their 20s. This would be aesthetically unnatural and not appropriate for any middle-aged man.
With the AHS technology, I am able to present different simulated scenarios of what the patient would look like with their hairline positioned too low and with a hairline that is located in an age-appropriate position. This tool enables me to inform the patient on the rationale behind my clinical recommendations and gain a joint agreement with the patient as to what hairline position would meet their aesthetic goals. I also detail the irregularities and density gradients I will create on their recipient areas to create a natural aesthetic look. I allow the patients to handle the AHS tablet computer so that they can rotate the image and see themselves from different points of view and to zoom-in to areas of interest. This really captures the patient’s interest and fully engages them in their treatment decisions.
Another area where I focus a considerable amount of time is the size of the hair restoration session. After evaluating their donor area, I explain to the patient how many potential grafts we will be able to extract with the ARTAS procedure. I use the AHS Technology to create simulations on the amount of coverage that is achievable with different graft counts; for example, 1500 grafts, 2000 grafts, 3000 grafts. Going through this exercise with patients helps me convey realistic expectations as to what can be aesthetically accomplished given the session size that is possible with their donor area. I can visually demonstrate to patients that if they choose a smaller session size (e.g. 1500 grafts) and the surface area of balding is large, they will not achieve full coverage and they will have uncovered areas and/or areas where there will be some “see through” into their scalp even after a transplantation. Patients are thus able to better forecast their own ultimate aesthetic outcome, after it is illustrated on the AHS Technology. Indeed, most patients appreciate that more grafts are often needed than initially anticipated in order to meet their aesthetic goals.
After the ARTAS Hair Studio consultation process, I explain to the patients how I use the ARTAS Site Making, which enables the ARTAS Robotic System to create the recipient sites according to the aesthetic design the patient and I decided on together. It is important for the patients to realize that the ARTAS Site Making bridges the artistry of our aesthetic design to the actual potential aesthetic result they will achieve with the ARTAS procedure. I also explain to patients that the ARTAS Robotic System is able to avoid damaging the healthy pre-existing hair that is dispersed within their balding areas. Patients gain more confidence in the hair transplantation process and what their result may be.
After conducting the consultation, the AHS Technology allows me to print out the simulations of the hairline designs and the session sizes. All patients receive a print out of the consultation. I find this documented report to be important, because it enables the patients to share the consultation with their spouses or trusted friends and it documents the value of their visit with me.
BENEFITS TO MY PATIENTS
I’ve been using the AHS Technology and consider it a valuable part of my hair transplant practice. Each of my patients that goes through the ARTAS Hair Studio consultation process quickly gains insight on the many nuances of this wonderful cosmetic procedure; such individuals become empowered to make more informed decisions when considering options to achieve their own aesthetic goals. Patients that allow me to take their photos and tour them through their 3D-like images are the ones that most often schedule procedures in my center after realizing that the blend of artistry, experience and technology that we bring to the table will deliver the best possible hair transplant procedures.
JIM’S ARTAS® EXPERIENCE
Berman Skin Institute performs ARTAS® hair transplant on President & CEO of ARTAS® manufacturer, Venus Concept, Inc.
The ARTAS® Procedure vs. Strip Surgery
| STATE OF THE ART Minimally invasive ARTAS® Robotic Procedure | OLDER TECHNIQUE Invasive Strip Surgery | |
| Method |
ARTAS® Robotic Procedure: Each hair targeted individually with robotic precision. No stitches are needed. 
|
Invasive Strip Surgery: A strip of scalp is removed from the back of the head. Stitches are used to close the wound. 
|
| Pain |
ARTAS® Robotic Procedure: Most patients don't even take Tylenol after the procedure. |
Invasive Strip Surgery: Many patients require prescription pain medication immediately following the procedure. Post-op long term side effects may include possible nerve injury in the donor area followed by abnormal traction or healing of the nerve. Side effects often include:
|
| Donor Area Appearance |
ARTAS® Robotic Procedure: Retains a natural appearance 
Post ARTAS® Procedure
|
Invasive Strip Surgery: Leaves a visible scar 
Post Strip Surgery
|
| Hair Style |
ARTAS® Robotic Procedure: You have the freedom to wear your hair the way you like it. |
Invasive Strip Surgery: May require longer hair styles to cover and conceal scarring. |
| Recovery |
ARTAS® Robotic Procedure: Back to work and normal activities, like exercise, in a few days. Most patients sleep comfortably without pain in the donor area immediately post-procedure. |
Invasive Strip Surgery: Up to several weeks of restricted activity. Patients usually have difficulty sleeping on the sutured surgical area for several weeks. |
| Pricing |
ARTAS® Robotic Procedure: Higher price |
Invasive Strip Surgery: Lower price |
