The ARTAS Robotic System, by Restoration Robotics, is the first and only FDA-cleared, physician-controlled computer-assisted technology for hair transplantation. A minimally invasive solution, the ARTAS Robotic procedure ensures patients permanent results without linear scarring and stitches; allowing them to wear their hair at any length and quick recovery time. In addition, the system’s robotic precision allows patients to benefit from unprecedented levels of safety, efficacy, and comfort in hair transplantation.
The innovative ARTAS Robotic System uses advanced digital imagery to map and analyze the hair in its natural groupings on the scalp. Restoration Robotics developed a dynamic stereo camera system that is guided by a patient’s motion, operating on image feedback rather than manual instruction alone. The system features precision robotics, utilizing stereo-vision sensors to detect follicular units, calculate angles, orientation and location and designate a specific pattern for harvesting.
Restoration Robotics adopted a “rapidly prototyping and iteration” strategy, investing in a machine shop, to quickly implement design changes. The ARTAS Robotic System has been rigorously tested and cleared by the FDA and other international regulatory bodies. Currently, the system is approved for use in the United States, Canada, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey and 26 EU countries covered by CE Mark, which was obtained on June 28, 2012. Regulatory submissions are also pending in a variety of other countries, including several in South America.
Since commercialization of the ARTAS Robotic System in July 2011, many of the industry’s leading surgeons have adopted it. There are currently over 40 ARTAS Robotic Systems being used by physicians throughout the world, with substantial growth anticipated moving forward. In the past year, there have been several significant innovative tools added to the ARTAS Robotic System
The newly evolved algorithm feature allows for better and more consistent graft dissection. Through this algorithm, it is possible to identify and compute different properties of the follicular units such as exit angles, orientations, and density. After the follicular units are algorithmically selected, the robotic arm maneuvers to perform the follicular unit dissection in a precise fashion, placing the units in the interior to help provide density and fullness.
The latest exciting product to accompany the ARTAS Robotic System, named the ARTAS Hair Studio, will become available at the beginning of 2014. It is a highly interactive software program that enables physicians to design aesthetic recipient site patterns on a patient using a sophisticated 3-D model. The software then enables implementation of that plan onto the actual patient using the ARTAS Robotic System. It can be fully customized for advanced users, while novice users can select from one of the ready-to-use plans.
Restoration Robotics plans to continuously evolve the revolutionary ARTAS Robotic System to eventually provide a system that can perform the complete hair transplant procedure – follicular unit extraction, storage of the follicles, and implementation of the follicular units into the patient’s donor area automatically, under the direction of a surgeon.
