DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hair Sciences Center of Colorado, a leading Denver-based hair restoration practice headed by internationally renowned specialist, James A. Harris, MD, FACS, announced today it has brought the world’s first and only robotic-based device in the treatment of hair loss and hair restoration to its clinic.
The ARTAS™ System is the only FDA-cleared, physician-controlled, interactive, computer-assisted robotics-based device developed for the treatment of hair loss and the only hair restoration solution of its kind. The ARTAS System utilizes Dr. Harris’ pioneering system, The Harris SAFE (Surgically Advanced Follicular Extraction) System. In 2003, Dr. Harris developed the SAFE System, which incorporates a small surgical device that isolates and extracts single follicular units without causing the type of trauma traditionally associated with other types of hair transplantation surgery.
The ARTAS System combines several features including an interactive, image-guided robotic arm, special imaging technologies, small dissection punches and a computer interface which allows physician direction. Once the ARTAS System is positioned over the patient's donor area of the scalp, it identifies and harvests follicular units, choosing the best ones for transplant. The follicular units are stored until they are implanted into the patient's recipient area using current techniques. This process is known as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), a method of obtaining follicular units from the donor area using a very small tool to obtain tiny samples of tissue. Because only a small follicular unit is selected, the procedure is minimally invasive and virtually undetectable.
FUE, when performed manually, is an extremely tedious, labor intensive and time-consuming process, thus resulting in high costs for the consumer. As a result, there are currently very few physicians performing FUE, Dr. Harris being among them and a leading expert who attracts patients from across the globe.
“The introduction of this robot is truly a monumental step in the treatment of hair loss and is indicative of how important the role of technology plays in patient care in the 21st Century,” said Dr. Harris.
“The ARTAS System, in addition to being more cost-effective and significantly quicker at hair follicle extraction, is much less invasive than traditional harvest methods. This system brings the many benefits of hair transplantation using FUE completely mainstream. It has been tried and tested on more than 350 patients, who reported virtually no pain or visible signs of surgery. This innovative approach is so revolutionary in that it will now take half the time to perform and result in significant cost savings to the patient,” explained Dr. Harris, who also serves as principal investigator for the system’s clinical trials.
FUE surgery has grown exponentially over the past several years (about 100 percent), and since very few doctors perform this surgery, the growing demand has not been met. The ARTAS System directly addresses this industry-wide problem.
The ARTAS System was developed over the past seven years by hair restoration physicians, robotic engineers and clinical experts and introduced by Restoration Robotics, a privately-held medical device company.
About Hair Sciences Center of Colorado
Denver-based Hair Sciences Center of Colorado specializes in state-of-the-art medical and surgical hair restoration. Founder James Harris, MD, FACS pioneered an innovative and minimally invasive technology, the Harris SAFE (Surgically Advanced Follicular Extraction) System, which has transformed hair transplantation surgery practices. This technology is now used in the newly unveiled robotic device, the ARTASTM System, used for treatment of hair loss.
Dr. Harris and his clinic have always been on the cutting edge of bringing the latest in hair restoration techniques to patients. In 2007, he was the first in Denver to use laser therapy technology on his patients, who travel from all over the world to his clinic. Dr. Harris' focus on state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques and dedication to patient advocacy has firmly established him as an international leader in the field of hair restoration.
About James A. Harris, MD, FACS
James A. Harris, MD, FACS received his medical degree with honors from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 1989. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery, diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology and the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery. Dr. Harris' practice is limited exclusively to follicular unit hair transplantation and FUE. He is a Clinical Instructor of Hair Transplantation at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. He is the author of "The Hair Replacement Revolution: A Consumer's Guide to Effective Hair Replacement Techniques." He is a published author and frequent guest lecturer in the field of hair restoration. For more information, please visit www.hsccolorado.com.
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