| In an effort to improve the visualization of white hairs in hair restoration surgery, we began experimenting in the field of optics for methods to enhance the appearance of white hairs. This led to the formation of our Glow Chamber. This new invention has commercial applicability, but requires a far more intense light source than we have been able to create thus far.
The principals of the Glow Chamber follow as does a review of physics.. We have attempted to create contrast between hairs and surrounding tissue using optical principals alone. We have found that it is possible to make a white, non-pigmented hair have a specific color. Furthermore, we have found it possible to create a degree of contrast between white hairs and the surrounding tissue using optics. We have designed two versions. One relies primarily on refraction and transmission of light, while the other applies a narrow-band filter and additional physical principals. We call the latter our Glow Chamber.
The Law of Reflection
Light is known to behave in a very predictable manner. If a ray of light could be observed approaching and reflecting off of a flat mirror, then the behavior of the light as it reflects would follow a predictable law known as the law of reflection. The diagram below illustrates the law of reflection.
In the diagram, the ray of light approaching the mirror is known as the incident ray (labeled I in the diagram). The ray of light which leaves the mirror is known as the reflected ray (labeled R in the diagram). At the point of incidence where the ray strikes the mirror, a line can be drawn perpendicular to the surface of the mirror; this line is known as a normal line (labeled N in the diagram). The normal line divides the angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray into two equal angles. The angle between the incident ray and the normal is known as the angle of incidence. The angle between the reflected ray and the normal is known as the angle of reflection. (These two angles are labeled with the Greek letter "theta" accompanied by a subscript; read as "theta-i" for angle of incidence and "theta-r" for angle of reflection.) The law of reflection states that when a ray of light reflects off a surface, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
It is the law of reflection that governs most graft dissection and is applied by the majority of graft cutting technicians. It is also the least effect means of cutting grafts and produces the greatest risk to individual hairs. Since we all know that the total number of movable hairs is finite, this is of paramount importance to hair restoration surgery. If the tissue is cut incorrectly, hairs can be irreparably damaged and destroyed. They are not replaceable. Therefore, it only makes sense that a graft cutter should be supplied with the most modern graft cutting technology available today. The vast majority of physicians do not invest in this technology and do not utilize it.
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