US5229271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of testing of hair growth substances on hair follicles prepared by mechanically severing of hair shaft
Assignee: Chesebrough Ponds USA Inc
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Filing: 1990-12-13
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2010-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A method of testing a substance for its ability to promote, maintain, increase or arrest hair growth, or influence hair pigmentation comprise the steps of: i. isolating a viable hair follicle from skin, without damaging the hair bulb; ii. maintaining the isolated, viable hair follicle in a nutrient medium; iii. contacting the isolated hair follicle in said medium with a test substance, and iv. assessing the response of the hair follicle to said test substance.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Philpott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/48; G01N33/50; G01N33/5005; G01N33/5008; G01N33/5082; G01N33/5088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of testing a substance for its ability to promote, maintain, increase or arrest hair growth, or influence hair pigmentation, which method comprises the steps of: i. isolating a hair follicle from skin; ii. maintaining the isolated hair follicle in a nutrient medium; iii. contacting the isolated hair follicle in said medium with a test substance; and iv. assessing the response of the hair follicle to said test substance; wherein isolating of the hair follicle from skin comprises mechanically severing the hair shaft of the follicle below the epidermis without enzymatic pretreatment of the follicle and skin, thereby to avoid damage to the hair bulb.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of testing a substance for its ability to promote, maintain, increase or arrest hair growth, or influence hair pigmentation, which method comprises the steps of: i. isolating a hair follicle from skin; ii. maintaining the isolated hair follicle in a nutrient medium; iii. contacting the isolated hair follicle in said medium with a test substance; and iv. assessing the response of the hair follicle to said test substance; wherein isolating of the hair follicle from skin comprises mechanically severing the hair shaft of the follicle below the epidermis without enzymatic pretreatment of the follicle and skin, thereby to avoid damage to the hair bulb.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of testing according to claim 1, in which isolating the hair follicle from skin includes the step of severing the hair shaft of the follicle at the dermal-subcutaneous fat interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of testing according to claim 2, in which the hair shaft is severed using a keratotome or scalpel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of testing according to claim 1, in which isolating the hair follicle from skin includes the further step of mechanically separating the hair bulb from surrounding subcutaneous fat subsequent to separation of the dermis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of testing according to claim 1, in which the nutrient medium comprises Williams E. medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of testing according to claim 5, in which the nutrient medium comprises foetal calf serum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of testing according to claim 1, in which the response of the isolated hair follicle to the test substance is assessed by measuring any increase of the length of the hair follicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method of test according to claim 1, in which the response of the isolated hair follicle to the test substance is assessed by measuring any increase of (methyl- 3 H) thymidine uptake by the hair follicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2612939A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |