U.S. patent number 3,862,453 [Application Number 05/396,851] was granted by the patent office on 1975-01-28 for apparatus for mounting hair.
Invention is credited to Garth E. Widdifield.
United States Patent |
3,862,453 |
Widdifield |
January 28, 1975 |
APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING HAIR
Abstract
A method and apparatus for mounting hair to a human head. In one
embodiment, holes are formed in the scalp and U-shaped anchors are
surgically embedded into the scalp with the ends of each anchor
protruding out of the scalp. A mesh screen having hair mounted
thereto is then attached to the anchors. In another embodiment, an
incision is made through the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the
scalp down to and through the periosteum. The periosteum is then
separated from the skull and the base of an implant is positioned
between the periosteum and skull. The body of the implant tapers
from the base to the top -- which protrudes from the scalp to which
connection with a hair piece may be made.
Inventors: |
Widdifield; Garth E.
(Indianapolis, IN) |
Family
ID: |
26739863 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/396,851 |
Filed: |
September 13, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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276328 |
Jul 31, 1972 |
3811425 |
May 21, 1974 |
|
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60382 |
Aug 3, 1970 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
623/15.11;
606/187 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
2/10 (20130101); A41G 5/0026 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
2/10 (20060101); A61f 001/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;3/1 ;128/92B |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pace; Channing L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt &
Naughton
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a division, of application Ser. No. 276,328, filed July 31,
1972, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,425, dated May 21, 1974.
This application which is a continuation-in-part application of my
earlier U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 60,382, filed Aug. 3, 1970,
now abandoned, and entitled "Method and Apparatus for Mounting
Hair."
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An implant for implanting within a scalp to attach a hair piece
thereto comprising:
a smoothly tapered main body with a reduced top end for protruding
out of said scalp and an enlarged bottom end, said main body having
a truncated cone configuration;
a thin base connected to said bottom end and extending outwardly
from said bottom end for placement between the skull and
periosteum; and,
means mounted to said top end operable to connect to said hair
piece.
2. The implant of claim 1 wherein:
said thin base is flat and has a plurality of spaced apart arms
extending radially outward from said bottom end.
3. The implant of claim 2 wherein:
said means is a removable headed member with a shank threadedly
received by said main body; and,
said main body is metal.
4. The implant of claim 3 wherein:
said headed member has a ball shaped top end with a hole extending
through said ball shaped top end.
5. The implant of claim 3 wherein:
said headed member has a magnet top end.
6. The implant of claim 3 wherein:
said headed member has a cloth fastening top end.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is the apparatus, and the method of securing the
apparatus as a means for the attachment of hair to a human
head.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Few ways have been devised to attach air to the human head. Jenkins
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,280,826 showed an apparatus for attaching wefts
of hair directly to hair growing from the scalp but this was mostly
confined to the long flowing hair of women. Mielzynski in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,003,155 described the insertion of metal darts (containing
tufts of hair) directly into the scalp. Here, the body extruded the
darts and the technique was turned to doll heads. More recently the
process of `hair-weaving` has appeared. Here, a nylon net is
stretched over the bald area and strands of the wearer's hair are
used for tying the net in place. To the nylon net is attached wefts
of hair that can be combed into the wearer's remaining hair thus
concealing the bald area. The major problem here is that a certain
amount of fringe and frontal hair are necessary for the attachment.
The overwhelming disadvantage, though, lies in the fact that the
hair, to which the prosthesis is attached, is continually growing,
loosening the prosthesis day by day -- thus requiring frequent,
time consuming, expensive "tightenings."
Then there are adhesives of one type or another. The pitfalls of
adhesives are numerous. They can promote irritation and eczema.
They leave gummy, sticky residues when removed. They are loosened
by water, wind, sweat, natural body oils, and lateral pressures
occuring while sleeping. Adhesives are probably the most widely
used method of attachment and yet the wearer cannot be confident
that his hairpiece will remain in place while exercising, while in
bed, while in wind, hot humid weather, etc.
Then Bauman disclosed an interesting method in U.S. Pat. No.
3,553,737. Here, stainless steel sutures are sewed into the soft
tissues of the scalp -- either as a continuous suture around the
periphery of the bald area or as a series of closed loops around
the same periphery. A nylon net was placed over the bald area and
tied to the sutures protruding above the scalp. Wefted hair was
then sewed onto the net to be combed into the wearers own hair, and
styled. This process simulated hair weaving except for the fact
that the hair prosthesis was tied to embedded sutures rather than
growing hair, eliminating the problem of periodic adjustments. But,
many problems developed. The sutures around the periphery together
with the net, acted as a dam to the natural drainage of sweat, oil,
dandruff, soaps, etc., creating a caking in these areas --
impossible to clean. The many openings into the scalp by the in and
out penetrations of the sutures created many portals of infection.
The major problem, though, was the fact that when in bed, with the
head on a pillow, the hair prosthesis was subject to strong
pressures, both forward and laterally, causing considerable tension
on the sutures over prolonged periods of time during the night.
These tensions give the embedded suture a knife-like action --
gradually causing each and every suture to cut its way to the
surface with loss of the prosthesis and subsequent scarring, and
disfigurement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One embodiment of this invention is a method and apparatus for
mounting a hair piece to a human head. Stainless steel anchors are
embedded into the fatty portion and through the dermis of the haman
scalp with ends protruding from the scalp for attachment to the
hair mounting base. The method of inserting the anchors into the
scalp requires the scalp to be scrubbed, marked, and anesthetized.
Holes are surgically punched into the scalp dermis for receiving
the anchors and an antibiotic ointment is placed around the anchor
sites after the surgery. A mesh screen or a toupee base is then
attached to the anchors.
Another embodiment of the present invention is the apparatus and
method for securing said apparatus for the purpose of affixing a
hair piece to the scalp. Where-in, a small incision is made through
the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the scalp down to and through
the periosteum which is then separated from the skull. A
physiologically inert implant having an outwardly extending base
and a body which tapers from the base to the top is inserted into
the incision. The base of the implant is positioned between the
periosteum and the skull with the tip of the implant protruding
from the scalp. To this a hair piece may be connected.
It is one object to provide apparatus that does not depend upon the
presence of remaining hair around the area to be covered.
It is another object to provide apparatus which eliminates the need
for expensive periodic tightening and adjusting as in
"hair-weaving."
It is another object to provide apparatus which eliminates the need
for "anchors" sutured into the scalp.
Another object is to provide by the rigid fixed implanted apparatus
the elimination of sutures embedded into the scalp with their
knife-like action resulting in pain, infection, extrusion, and
scarring.
It is another object to provide apparatus for the attachment of
hair which eliminates the need for adhesives.
It is another object to provide apparatus to which a hair piece can
be attached and remain, with absolute security from detachment,
under any and all conditions.
Another object is to provide apparatus from which a hair piece can
be removed by the wearer, at will, in privacy, and without expense
for the purpose of cleaning, repairing, replacement, etc. -- and,
yet, when reattached be absolutely secure.
Another object is to provide apparatus to which the wearers present
hair piece or a new hair piece (either factory or custom made),
with slight modification, can be permanently attached.
Another object of this invention is to provide a fixed, rigid
implant which is locked in place by the natural growth of fibrous
tissue over and around the implant, providing maximum strength,
stability, and permanence -- which is in contrast to suture
"anchors" (which are embedded into soft, mobile tissues of the
scalp and are eventually extruded).
It is another object to provide a physiologically dynamic implant
which promotes tissue closure around the exterior portion of the
implant -- thus preventing and eliminating open portals of
infection as seen in "anchor" sutures.
It is another object to provide an implant that by the nature of
its rigid attachment eliminate the pain occurring with the to and
fro pulling tension of the suture "anchors."
It is another object to provide a means of attaching hair to the
scalp with a minimum of portals into the scalp thus eliminating
multiple scar deformities to the scalp and further reducing portals
of infection.
Another object is to provide apparatus for hair application that is
comfortable and attractive.
Another object is to provide for hair application that is
relatively inexpensive and eliminating the need for follow up care
and its expense.
Related objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent
from the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of a mesh screen for attachment to a person's
scalp.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the mesh screen shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an anchor with associated parts for
fastening the device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 8 to a person's scalp.
FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a cutting tool used to embed
the anchor of FIG. 3 in a person's scalp.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a scalp with the
anchor of FIG. 3 embedded.
FIG. 6 is a top view of a hair piece forming the hair part.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6
and viewed in the direction of the arrows.
FIG. 8 is a top view of a toupee base anchored to a scalp by the
anchor of FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is a top view of a person's head with the preferred
embodiment of an anchor attached thereto incorporating the present
invention.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the anchors shown
in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of the scalp of
FIG. 9 with the anchor of FIG. 10 positioned therein.
FIGS. 12 through 14 are side views of various threaded members
which are received by the anchor of FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of
the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments
illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such
alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device,
and such further applications of the principles of the invention as
illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to
one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a
mesh screen 10 made from stainless steel wires, such as surgical
suture size "0" (26 gauge), welded together in such a manner so as
to conform to the top of a person's head. To achieve the desired
configuration of mesh screen 10, a plaster mold of the top of the
head is made using plaster impregnated gauze. The cavity formed by
the plaster impregnated gauze is then sprayed subsequent to drying
with a suitable release agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene. A
silicone foam is then poured into the cavity formed by the
configured plaster gauze and allowed to dry. The plaster gauze may
then be separated from the solidified silicone foam resulting in a
foam shaped object duplicating the contour of the scalp. The
stainless steel wires used to construct mesh screen 10 may then be
placed over the form shaped object and the wires may be welded
together.
FIG. 1 shows a top view of the mesh screen 10 as it is positioned
onto a person's head or scalp. The dashed lines as well as the
solid lines represent stainless steel wires. The dashed lines are
wires used to hold the wire mesh screen together and are not used
for attachment of hair. The solid lines are wires used to hold the
screen together and to also attach hair to the mesh screen. For
example, wire 17 extends around the major portion of screen 10 from
point 18 via point 21 to point 19 where it is welded to wire 29.
Wire 17 is also welded to wire 27 at point 18 and to other wires
between points 18 and 19. Wire 27 in turn is welded to wire 46 at
point 28. Wire 46 is also welded to wire 29 at point 45. Both wires
17 and 46 are utilized to attach hair thereto and are illustrated
as solid lines. Wire 17 is welded to many other wires as it extends
around the back 16 of the mesh screen. Likewise, wire 46 is welded
to many other wires as it extends around the front 15 of the mesh
screen. An example of a support wire which is not utilized to
attach hair thereto is wire 23 which extends across the mesh screen
being welded to wire 17 at points 24 and 25. Wire 23 is welded to
many other wires, such as wire 20 which extends from the back 16 of
mesh screen 10 to the front 15 of mesh screen 10. As shown in FIG.
1, wire 20 is welded to wire 17 at point 21 and is also welded to
wire 46 at point 22. Wire 20 is shown as a solid line and as a
dashed line in FIG. 1. Thus, wire 20 would be used to attach hair
thereto when the wire is only shown as solid.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the mesh screen shown in FIG. 1 and more
particularly shows the mesh screen as it is positioned on head 11.
A cutout 26 is provided at the lower edge of mesh screen 10 toward
the front 15 so as to realistically simulate the normal hair line.
Of course, cutout 26 is positioned on either side of head 11 at the
front 15 of the mesh screen. Prior to installing the mesh screen on
a scalp, and subsequent to welding, the mesh screen is grit blasted
with aluminum oxide grits. The grit blasting produces surface
roughness on the individual wires with a profile in excess of 100
micro inches suitable for bonding with polytetrafluoroethylene. The
roughened mesh work is then sprayed with polytetrafluoroethylene
using a pressure gun at a distance of 4 to 6 inches with an
atomizing pressure of 25 to 30 pounds. The sprayed
polytetrafluoroethylene is then baked and sintered on the mesh
screen improving the corrosion resistance of the screen. Of course,
the sprayed coating is applied only to the wires and does not cover
the space between the wires. As a result, the open mesh work allows
for ventilation of the scalp and also allows any growing hair to
emerge through the mesh work to be incorporated into the attaching
hair. The coating on the wires also provides for easy cleaning due
to the superior anti-stick qualities of polytetrafluoroethylene.
The completed mesh screen is then attached to the scalp. The
attachment method is to embed anchors into the scalp. FIG. 3 shows
a perpsective view of one embodiment of the anchor. Anchor 30 is
U-shaped and has a middle portion 31 integrally connected to
upstanding tubes 32 and 33 which have threaded holes 34 and 35 for
threadedly receiving caps 36 and 37.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross section of a portion of a scalp 50
showing anchor 30 embedded therein. Portion 31 of anchor 30 extends
into the fatty portion 52 of the scalp whereas members 32 and 33
extend up through dermis 51. Anchor 30 does not extend into the
muscle 53 or skull 54. Of course, anchor 30 would be inserted or
embedded in the scalp under strict surgical procedures. The person
to receive the anchors is requested to shampoo his hair with
surgical soap on the night before surgery. A hexachlorophene soap
is used to scrub the scalp and the patient is draped to insure a
clean field. Sites for the anchors are marked with a sterile
indelible pen on the scalp at the perimeter of the bald area and
the sites are then anesthetized, applying the anesthetic with a 30
G needle or compressed air jet stream. The anesthetic controls both
the pain and the bleeding. A dermal punch or burr, smaller in
diameter than the anchor tube, is then used to form entrance and
exit holes through the dermis.
The end of anchor 30 (FIG. 3) having tool 40 (FIG. 4) threaded
thereon is inserted into the opening in the dermis and down into
fatty portion 52 (FIG. 5) and back up through dermis 51 to the
position as shown in FIG. 5. Tool 40 is unthreaded from anchor 30
and caps 36 and 37 are threaded into both ends of the anchor.
Antibiotic ointment is then used to cover the surgical sites after
insertion of all of the anchors.
Anchors 30 are made from stainless steel 316L which is inert in the
human body and resistant to corrosion. Other inert substances which
may be substituted for the stainless steel are gold alloys,
titanium, polytetrafluoroethylene coated metal or certain plastic.
As in ear piercing, the channel formed by the anchor
epithelializes, creating a permanent sinus track thereby allowing
the anchor to be removed or replaced. The size of the track tends
to prevent the formation of keratin granulomate.
Caps 36 and 37 have holes 38 and 39 (FIG. 3) extending through
their tops. After anchor 30 is embedded into the scalp and caps 36
and 37 are threaded into the anchor body, holes 38 and 37 are
aligned for receiving wire 41. Wire 41 is inserted through the
holes and is welded at either end to caps 36 and 37 on the patient.
The anchor is then completely ready for receiving mesh screen 10
(FIG. 1) or base 70 (FIG. 8). A piece of nylon or similar thread is
used to tie wire 41 to mesh screen or base. For example, a piece of
nylon thread may be wrapped around wire 41 and wire 17 of mesh
screen 10 (FIG. 1). Approximately 8 to 12 anchors are embedded in
the scalp around the perimeter of the mesh screen for attachment of
the permanent mesh screen arrangement. Only four anchors are
embedded in the scalp for attachment of the base shown in FIG.
8.
In addition to attaching hair to the mesh screen 10, a hair piece
simulating the part is attached to the mesh screen. For example,
hair piece 60 (FIGS. 6 and 7) is tied to the mesh screen. Hair
piece 60 has a crown 61 integrally attached to portion 62 which
simulates the part 63 of the hair. The base 65 of hair piece 60 is
made from sheet polytetrafluoroethylene having a thickness of 0.010
to 0.015 inches. Base 65 has holes for looping hairs 64 through and
also has holes 66 located around its periphery for receiving nylon
thread to tie to the wires of mesh screen 10. The bottom surface of
base 65 is roughened or etched prior to looping the hairs through
the base. A neoprene phenolic applied to the bottom etched surface
after the hairs are looped through the base, thereby enmeshing the
hair. A second piece of sheet polytetrafluoroethylene, not shown,
identical in configuration to base 65 and having a roughened top
surface is placed in contact with the phenolic bond securely
locking the hair into position.
FIG. 8 shows an alternate base for attachment of hair. A toupee
base 70 is contoured to fit the scalp and is made from
polypropylene having a thickness of 0.020 inches. A plaster mold is
first made of the person's scalp using conventional techniques. The
mold is then dried and sprayed with a release agent such as
polytetrafluoroethylene and plaster of paris is poured into the
mold and allowed to harden and dry. The hardened plaster mold is
placed in a standard vacuum forming apparatus where a sheet of hot
pliable polypropylene is set over the plaster cast. The vacuum
forming apparatus forces the hot sheet over the plaster cast
thereby contouring the sheet to the scalp. Openings are cut into
the contoured polypropylene base such as illustrated in FIG. 8.
Openings 78 allow ventilation to the scalp with ring 71 being
integrally joined to cross struts 72, 73 and 74. The polypropylene
dome is then sent to a toupee marker for incorporation into a
conventionally made toupee. Toupee base 70 when attached to a
toupee is then fastened to the scalp by means of flat springs 75
and 76 extending over and resting on struts 73 and 74. Of course,
the hair would cover the springs. As may be seen from FIG. 8, only
four anchors 30 are utilized for securing base 70 to the scalp.
Anchors 30 are identical to those described previously. The ends of
springs 74 and 75 are looped around wires 41 of anchors 30 securing
base 70 to the scalp.
Many variations of the above disclosed items are included and
contemplated by the present invention. For example, anchor 30 is
shown in FIG. 3 threadedly receiving the male portion of caps 36
and 37. Of course, it would be possible to thread the external
surfaces of tubes 32 and 33 for receiving a complementary threaded
female portion on the end of caps 36 and 37. Likewise, it is
possible to glue the caps to the anchor in lieu of engagement by
threads. It is also possible to machine one end of anchor 30
thereby integrally forming a cap. In this latter case only one end
of anchor 30 would receive a separate cap. In lieu of providing
holes through the heads of 36 and 37, the heads of caps 36 and 37
could be configured as rings. Anchors 30 may be made from round
wire, rectangular wire or hollow tubing. Of course, it is also
possible to delete caps 36 and 37 and to instead have the ends of
anchor 30 solid with holes for receiving the nylon thread for
securing the anchor to the mesh screen. Another variation of anchor
30 is to hingedly mount a bar to one end of the anchor and to
connect the free end of the bar to the opposite anchor end by means
of a pin.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in
FIGS. 9 through 14 wherein a person's head 100 having scalp 101 is
provided with three identical implants 102, 103 and 104 in a
triangular pattern. Of course, a number other than three implants
may be utilized in various patterns for practicing the
invention.
Implant 104 will now be described it being understood that a
similar description applies to implants 102 and 103. Implant 104
has a main body 105 configured as a truncated cone which tapers
from an enlarged end mounted atop base 106 to a reduced end 108.
Base 106 is flat and thin and has a plurality of radially extending
spaced apart arms with one or more arms having apertures 107 for
receiving bone screws 107' for securing the anchor to the skull.
The anchor 104 has a threaded hole 109 extending through the top
end 108 for receiving the threaded shank 118, 122 or 125 of screws
117, 121 or 124.
In the illustration of FIG. 9, there is shown in perspective, the
head of an individual whose central portion of scalp is without
hair. It makes little difference to this method whether the
individual supplies his present hair piece, or a custom made hair
piece is made for him, inasmuch as any hair piece can be modified
for use with this invention. In either event, the bald area of his
scalp is carefully surveyed and examined, and the sites of
implantation are ascertained. These sites are determined by their
strategic location in resisting the constant lateral `shearing`
pressure which is associated with reclining or sleeping positions,
as well as the anteroposterior pressures of wind, combing, etc.
After the sites of implantation have been determined, the services
of a medical doctor are required. The doctor prepares the skin 116
by thoroughly cleansing the area, followed by skin antisepsis. The
subject's head is draped with sterile draping, and under aseptic
techniques, the areas to be incised are anesthetized with a local
anesthetic. An incision approximately 11/2 inches in length is then
made through the skin 116, subcutaneous dense connective tissue
110, aponeurosis 111, loose connective tissue 112 and finally
through the periosteum 113. The periosteum 113 is then separated
from its attachment to the skull bone 114 by means of a periosteal
elevator.
The base 106 of the implant is thereafter positioned between the
periosteum 113 and the skull bone 114. This being accomplished, the
incision is closed by suturing. The above steps are repeated in the
placing of the other implants and the hair piece is then connected
to the protruding top implant ends.
The implants are composed of pure titanium, or other
physiologically inert material which is compatible with human
tissue. The main body 105 is in the shape of a smooth truncated
cone. If in the opinion of the doctor additional support is
advisable, than a bone screw 107' can be screwed through hole 107
in the base 106 of the implant directly into the skull bone 114.
This additional support is generally not needed since the base of
the implant is `locked` into place with the passage of time due to
the reattachment of the periosteum over and around the implant base
thus creating a fixed and rigid attachment to the head -- an actual
extension of the skull itself.
The conical shape of the body of the implant insures the epidermis
of the scalp will not invaginate (turn inward toward the base of
the implant) but will cause the epidermis to act as a sphincter --
gripping the implant as the gums grip a tooth.
The hair piece may be readily attached to the protruding top ends
of the implants by several means. Member 117 is threadedly received
by hole 109. By inserting a ligature through hole 120 of head 119
and tying the hair piece to this provides for a permanent
installation.
Alternatively, interlocking cloth fasteners 123 sold under the
trademark "VELCO" (produced by American Velco, Inc. of 406 Brown
Avenue, Manchester, N.H. 03103) may be attached to the inner
surface of the hair piece. A fastener 123 has been laminated to the
disc-like head 124. Member 121 is then threadedly received by hole
109. The hair piece can then be readily attached by pressing the
cloth fasteners atop the implants and on the hair piece
together.
Another alternative includes the attachment of thin metal discs to
the inner surface of the hair piece (at position relating to the
position of the implants when the hairpiece is in place). Member
125 with a round permanent magnet 128 laminated to the disc-like
head 127 is then threadedly received by hole 109. The hairpiece can
then be readily attached by merely setting in place. Each magnet
withstands a pull of 8 pounds -- creating a hair piece able to
withstand a total pull of 24 pounds. The magnetic field may be
broken with another magnet with reversed polarity.
In all cases, the top ends of the implants always protrude from the
scalp to receive the threaded members. The implants must therefore
be inserted into the opening so the top ends protrude from the
scalp. The openings are formed in the scalp by slitting and are
then closed subsequent to the positioning of the implant bases
between the periosteum and the skull. The openings are closed by
suturing so as to position the skin around and in contact with the
anchors.
While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail
in the drawings and foregoing description, they are to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, as
other modifications may readily suggest themselves to persons
skilled in this art.
* * * * *