1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a hair prosthesis. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hair prosthesis for those who suffer from medically related, rapid hair loss.
2. Description of Related Art
Traditionally, wigs and hairpieces were developed for customers purchasing for vanity or fashion reasons. Ready-made or mail order wigs are the most common, and generally come in different sizes to fit a range of wearer head sizes. These wigs are typically composed of a pre-made base and adjustable bands to provide a close fit about the entire head of the wearer. These ready-made wigs often lack comfort, and clearly lack a natural look.
Custom-made hairpieces are made to blend the wearer's actual hair with that of the hairpiece. Such hairpieces have a base and a netting or lace material. The netting commonly involves a “lace front hair system” providing a front hairline made of netting or lace, while the base is made of denser material. The base needs the denser material to have the durability, while the delicate lace is the trim and therefore not relied upon to provide the necessary durability for the hairpiece. Thus, such hairpieces have a more natural hairline, and are made to blend into the natural hair of the user. Accordingly, the hairpiece is altered gradually in order to blend into the wearer's hairline as the wearer's hairline gradually changes.
When one has been diagnosed with cancer and is advised that chemotherapy will be needed to abate the cancer, one of the first reactions is the dramatic change in appearance, namely the rapid loss of hair that will result. It is believed that the loss of hair has an adverse effect on the mental health of the patient that, in turn, impedes the possibility of a recovery. The conventional wig, which lacks a natural look, and hairpieces, cannot address the complete loss of an entire head of hair, and therefore have not been the solution.
Thus, there is a need for a comfortable, naturally-looking hair prosthesis that addresses the quick loss of hair that occurs due to a medical condition such as cancer or alopecia.
The present disclosure provides for a hair prosthesis that is directed for use by a wearer that has had a rapid and pronounced loss of hair, yet desires a natural, undetectable look, as if the wearer did not suffer the loss of hair.
The present disclosure also provides for a hair prosthesis that has a foundation made of lace that has gone through a cryogenic treatment process to increase durability and comfort.
The present disclosure further provides for a hair prosthesis with a foundation made of lace that is selectively coated with silicone and polyurethane.
These and other advantages and benefits of the present disclosure are achieved by a hair prosthesis that provides a natural, undetectable look for a wearer that has suffered a sudden and complete loss of hair. The hair prosthesis has a foundation or base made entirely of lace. The lace foundation has been treated by a cryogenic treatment process that increases the durability and, it is believed, comfort. A standard nylon lace is selected, and the cryogenic treatment process entails: lowering the temperature of the lace to approximately −300 degrees ° F. over 3 to 4 hours, holding the temperature at −300 degrees ° F. for 2 to 3 hours, and then returning the lace to ambient temperature over 3 hours. The treated base is then selectively coated with silicone and polyurethane.
The present disclosure further provides for a process for harvesting the wearer's own hair to incorporate into the front hairline of the hair prosthesis.
The present disclosure further provides for a skullcap made of an anti-bacterial cotton material to protect the wearer's scalp from irritation.
The present disclosure further provides for a scalp guard that is alcohol based to prevent irritation or inflammation caused by adhesives.
Other and further benefits, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of structure and:
Referring to the drawings and, in particular to
The base or foundation 12 is made completely of lace that has been treated to increase durability. This treatment is a special cryogenic treatment process that produces lace that has been found much stronger than lace material presently available, namely untreated lace. This cryogenic process entails placing ambient temperature (72° F.) standard nylon lace into a treatment chamber. The temperature in the chamber is gradually reduced to about −300° F. by cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen or another like fluid. This temperature change, known as the decent profile of the process, is accomplished gradually over a period of 3 to 4 hours to avoid cracking the lace.
Next, the lace enters the hold or static phase of the cryogenic process. The lace is held at a static temperature, about −300° F., for approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Finally, when the hold or static phase is complete, the lace in the chamber is gradually raised to return once more to ambient temperature. This temperature increase is normally achieved gradually in about 3 hours to re-introduce residual stress into the lace.
Under the direction of a Professor of Medicine and Director of Endoscopy at the Medical College of Virginia Associated Physicians, one cryogenically treated and one untreated sample of fiber were tested. The test included placing under a high power microscope one of each sample, and subjecting each sample to a torture test. The torture test namely involved incremental, increased amounts of weight being applied to each sample until a break was identified in each sample. At that point, the amount of force required to break the fiber was recorded.
The stronger sample was clearly the cryogenically treated fiber. The cryogenically treated fiber unexpectedly required four times the amount of weight in order to fracture the fiber than the untreated fiber.
Referring to
Crown section 14 is one continuous piece of lace that extends from the crown of the head down to the top of the occipital bone. Crown section 14 is made of lace that is 100% nylon, called HD1 lace or nylon lace. The nylon (HD1) lace is about 1 mm, and preferably 1 mm, thick. A crown seam 20 is strategically placed to ensure crown section 14 contours to the shape of the wearer's head. Crown seam 20 may be reinforced with ribbon to prevent stretching and maintain the shape of base or foundation 12. Crown seam 20 can also be removed and repositioned for customizing the fit of hair prosthesis 10.
Referring to
Back section 18 of base or foundation 12 is separated into two side portions 28 by a central portion 30. Each side portion 28 is located on an opposite side of base or foundation 12. Side portions 28 are made of the thin (HD2) lace that is a thin 100% nylon, and the thin lace is the same lace as that of hairline portion 22. Central portion 30 is preferably composed of lace that is about 84% nylon and about 16% spandex with the about being plus or minus 0.30%, called HD3 lace or thin stretch lace. In one exemplary embodiment, the nylon is 84.30% and the spandex is 15.70%. Significantly, this thin stretch lace (HD3) of central portion 30 allows hair prosthesis 10 to stretch, and contour to the scalp of the wearer. In another less preferred embodiment, the lace of central portion 30 may be the thin (HD2) lace, the same lace as side portions 28 and hairline portions 22.
Human hair or synthetic fibers (not shown) can be used in hair prosthesis 10. Each hair or synthetic fiber is attached to base or foundation 12 by single-strand ventilation. A knotting ventilation technique is most commonly used in lace based hair prosthesis. Thereafter, several coatings of a sealant are applied to the inside of base or foundation 12. The sealant reduces loss of the hair or fibers during cleaning of hair prosthesis 10. When human hair is used, the resulting knots may be bleached to provide the appearance that the hair is growing out of a scalp.
Referring to
Base or foundation 12 of hair prosthesis 10 can be adjusted to fit the wearer by having pleats at specific areas called a contour adjustment or break 37 at the base or foundation 12. The position of the pleat is determined by what adjustment needs to be made to facilitate a more comfortable wear of the hair prosthesis 10 on the wearer. For example, if base or foundation 12 needs to be adjusted along hairline portion 22, then pleats are placed at temple portion 24. Behind the ear of base or foundation 12, there is a contour adjustment or break 37 in silicone coating 32. This facilitates the taking in of pleats on base or foundation 12 to adjust the fit, thereafter leaving the wearer with a smooth comfortable fit as if there were no pleats.
In another embodiment, referring to
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Crown section 14 is made of nylon (HD1) lace and may contain a number of holes 39 (not shown) which are about 5 mm in diameter. Back section 18 is made of thin stretch (HD3) lace. Further, polyurethane coating 34 is applied to the lower ends of side portions 38 and central portion 30, with breaks or contour adjustments 37. The edges of base or foundation 12 that surrounds the face of the wearer and along the nape of the neck contain a scalloped edge 48. Scalloped edge 48 is used for a wearer that has thinning hair along the hairlines. This allows the wearer's own hair to be visible in order to provide a more natural hairline. Scalloped edge 48 lies behind the wearer's natural hairline allowing the wearer to comb his/her own hair over the edge of hair prostheses 10. This blends the wearer's hair into hair prosthesis 10 providing the illusion that the wearer has not lost hair. Wire 36 is placed at temple portions 24 and side portions 38.
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Front section 16 is made of nylon (HD1) lace with hair attached by single-strand ventilation to recreate a natural hairline. Temple portions 24 and an inner half of sideburn portions 26 are made of either thin stretch (HD3) lace or 100% spandex with wefts of hair (not shown) sewn in at a 45 degree angle. A weft of hair is a number of strands of hair that have been sewn together at the roots. The hair at the sides and temple of a head naturally grows backward toward the back of the head. Placing wefts at a 45 degree angle allows for a more natural flow and fall of the hair from hair prosthesis 10.
Back section 18 is made of either thin stretch (HD3) lace or 100% spandex with wefts of hair (not shown) sewn in horizontally starting from ear to ear down to the nape of the neck. The hair at the back of the head naturally grows downward. Placing wefts horizontally mimics the growth and flow of natural hair. Wefts are spaced about 1 inch apart.
Polyurethane coating 34 is applied on the inner half of sideburns 26 and on the lower ends of back section 18. This allows the wearer to use double sided tape to secure hair prosthesis 10 to their head.
In an exemplary embodiment, hair prosthesis 10 comes in three basic sizes, namely small, medium and large. Small is 48 cm, medium is 52 cm and large is 56 cm. These measurements represent the circumference of the head, starting at hairline portion 22, moving around above the ears and down to the nape of the neck and back up around to hairline portion 22. These measurements were determined by those in the hair prosthesis field to fit a wide spectrum of wearers and allow for minimal alterations to base or foundation 12.
In another embodiment, the wearer's own hair is used in the front hairline of hair prosthesis 10. This process is referred to as harvesting. Harvesting is used so that the person's look is maintained in hair prosthesis 10. Accordingly, before chemotherapy commences, the wearer's own hair is pined up to the top of their head. The harvesting begins at the nape of the neck where a horizontal row of hair is sectioned off to form a first section 58 of hair. First section 58 is allowed to fall freely down the nape of the neck. Above first section 58, a second section 60 of hair is sectioned off. Second section 60 is a horizontal row of hair that is cut about 2 to 3 inches, preferably 2 to 3 inches, from the root. The cut hair is collected and fastened together by magic tape or twine.
The above steps for harvesting are repeated, moving upwards toward the crown of the person's head. Harvesting from the back of a person's head up to the crown supplies sufficient hair to incorporate into the front hairline of hair prosthesis 10.
After sufficient hair is removed, the remaining hair of the person is restyled. The person's hair may appear less voluminous; however, the person's look is still cosmetically acceptable. This look can be kept until the person's hair begins to fall off from treatments received. At that time, hair prosthesis 10 will be available with the person's own hair incorporated into the front hairline.
The harvesting process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The hair is harvested during one session. Each harvested hair is attached to base or foundation 12 by single-strand ventilation. A knotting ventilation technique is most commonly used in lace based hair prosthesis.
In another embodiment, referred to in
The front section 66 has at least three rectangles 64 cut out of skullcap 62. Rectangles 64 are about 4½ by 1¾, and preferably 4½ by 1¾, inches and contain a lace that is 100% nylon. Rectangles 64 correspond to the center and sides of the top of the scalp where a person normally parts his/her hair. This allows the wearer to part the hair of hair prosthesis 10 without exposing skullcap 62, thus providing a natural look.
Furthermore, skin may become irritated or inflamed from the prolonged use of adhesive to attach hair systems to the scalp. Over time these irritations can lead to welts and even sores. To prevent this from occurring, scalp guard can be applied to the scalp. Scalp guard provides an invisible barrier between the scalp and adhesive used to attach hair systems. Scalp guard is an alcohol based liquid containing a polymer. It is available in a dab-on applicator to gently glide across the scalp. When tape is removed, all the pull stress is now on the scalp guard and not on the wearer's scalp.
Scalp guard is applied to the scalp between hair system wearing. The scalp is cleaned of any adhesive residue remaining on scalp after removal of a hair system. A thin layer of scalp guard is applied to the scalp with dab-on applicator. The scalp will then dry rapidly allowing the hair system to be reapplied with minimal waiting time.
In addition, because human hair is porous and absorbs water, hair systems made of human hair will loss the hair over time due to numerous washings. To prevent this, the inside of the foundation of human hair systems can be sprayed with knot sealer after washings. Knot sealer is an acetone and resin based liquid that forms a protective coating on the knots in the foundation. The knot sealer makes the knots less impervious to water, thus resulting in a decrease in the loss of hair over time.
The present disclosure having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the disclosure.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/026,837 filed on Feb. 7, 2008 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/094,790 filed on Sep. 5, 2008
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