SA 20117 B1Patent grantSaudi Arabia

Scalp Surgery Hair-Retention Clip

Official patent title

An innovative tool to facilitate the dermatosurgical procedures in the scalp area

Arabic title: أداة مبتكرة لتسهيل الإجراءات الجلدية الجراحية في منطقة فروة الرأس

Invention

Problem

During scalp procedures, surrounding hair can move into the operative field, obstruct the clinician's view, interfere with suturing, and potentially compromise field cleanliness even when hair near the incision has been removed.

Why it matters

Maintaining a clear and organized operative field is particularly important in scalp tumor removal, diagnostic biopsy, wound closure, and other dermatologic procedures performed in an area with dense hair and many blood vessels.

Approach

The invention provides a lockable hair-fixing clip with two main arms connected by a first hinge. Each free end carries two sub-arms connected by additional lockable hinges, allowing the arms to spread, grip, and retain sections of hair away from the treatment area. Inner gripping surfaces can include rubber layers.

Who may benefit

Potential beneficiaries include dermatologic surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, outpatient procedure teams, scalp-biopsy services, and surgical-instrument manufacturers.

Potential value

A purpose-built, adjustable clip can organize and immobilize surrounding hair with multiple lockable contact points, helping clinicians preserve visibility and access around a scalp incision.

Background

Scalp surgery may include removal of benign or malignant lesions and diagnostic biopsies. Hair is often removed near the intended procedure site, but surrounding hair remains mobile and can enter the field when the patient's head position changes. The patent describes this as a source of visual obstruction and possible contamination. Existing approaches such as tapes, clips, comb-like devices, and temporary hair-fixing methods may not provide the desired combination of secure retention, adjustability, and access during the procedure.

Technology overview

The mechanical device uses two main arms joined by a lockable pivot and four terminal sub-arms arranged in two pairs. Additional lockable hinges control the spacing of the sub-arms, which capture hair between their inner surfaces. The arms can move through a broad angular range and then be fixed at selected positions. Rubber-facing layers are described for the hair-contacting surfaces.

Potential applications

Holding hair away from the operative field during scalp lesion removal.
Organizing surrounding hair during diagnostic scalp biopsies.
Maintaining access and visibility while suturing scalp wounds.
Hair management during other dermatologic or minor surgical procedures on the scalp.

Evidence-supported advantages

Multiple lockable hinges permit adjustment of the main arms and hair-gripping sub-arms.
Four terminal sub-arms provide distributed contact with the retained hair.
The clip can be fixed at a selected spacing after the hair has been positioned.
Rubber-lined contact surfaces can improve grip while separating the hair from the operative area.

Development stage

The patent provides mechanical embodiments, drawings, and claims; fabrication details, sterilization validation, and clinical evaluation were not independently verified.

Commercial opportunity

The design may be suitable for licensing or product development with surgical-instrument manufacturers serving dermatology, plastic surgery, and outpatient procedure markets. Sterilization method, materials, ergonomics, manufacturing tolerances, clinical usability, and applicable medical-device requirements would need validation.

Patent classifications

WIPO IPC

A61B000/000Diagnosis; surgery; identification
A61B090/017Diagnosis; surgery; identification

CPC

No classification assigned

Inventors

First inventorSaad Mohammed Al-Talhab

Keywords

scalp surgery
hair-fixing clip
dermatosurgery
surgical field
lockable hinge
scalp biopsy
wound suturing
medical instrument

Patent document and drawings

The patent publication is mapped to this record. Patent drawings remain within that publication; no separately cleared public media package has been supplied.