I would assume that the goal is to eventually only do FUE via the ARTAS for its obvious advantages. Why continue with the safe or manual system if the robot proves to do just as good or a better job. Is this the plan Matt?

Also, I would think the robot would lower the cost of FUE substantially since harvesting, the hardest part of FUE, and what makes it expensive is now automated. Granted 500 grafts an hour is still longer than strip in terms of harvesting and the cost of the robot needs to be recovered, it needs to be maintained, calibrated, etc but I would think in time, the use of the robot should bring the cost of FUE more in line with strip. Not the same but much closer than it is today.

I looked at Dr. Bernstein's wesite and he charges 11$ per grafts for FUE using the ARTAS which in my mind is rediculous. Although his strip cost is also outrageous. I know he is considered a pioneer, is located in NYC, etc but I think this is unreasonable.

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Good points. However the ARTAS has ongoing maintenance fees as well as charging the Doctor per graft extracted(I read it is $1 per graft). Not to mention the enormous cost of the machine(well into the 6 digit mark). I'm not sure it will bring FUE prices down across the board. I personally do not think many doctors(no one specific) like performing FUE on the consistent basis so they keep the cost up to limit FUE demand and also to make their time performing it worthwhile.

The ARTAS system is very innovative, I was skeptical until I saw how it performs on Rahal's website. However I'm not sure if the transection rate would be lowered significantly. Also looks like it punches quite swiftly which is a bit fast for my liking. However I have seen bad results from the world's best FUE doctors whether they used motorized or manual punches too. Time will tell.

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Revamped Advantages/Disadvantages of FUE. Myths dispelled. Educate yourself

Everything FUE. Manual, motorized, ARTAS, NeoGraft, physician details and more

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Mickey- Are you saying that even after the robot is purchased by the clinic, they still pay a per graft fee to the Robot's vendor throughout its life? If so, I did not realize this and is a very interesting point and concept to keep in mind when considering how much the cost of FUE will be reduced as a result of the robot. Although, I would think the offset to this would be that the vendor includes periodic calibration and maintenance during the life of the robot as part of the purchase package.

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Yeah.. I think Janna mentioned this a few weeks ago. Some Doctors are apprehensive about the unit. I'm not sure if maintenance and calibration are included though... I remember reading it was not...

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Revamped Advantages/Disadvantages of FUE. Myths dispelled. Educate yourself

Everything FUE. Manual, motorized, ARTAS, NeoGraft, physician details and more

FUE Norwood 1-6 examples

Hair Transplant Basics. Must read. Constantly updated. Content loaded.

Artas robot is $200,000 & the doctor needs to pay $1 per graft for its use.

Is the $200,000 figure accurate? I was not told a specific amount, just that it was well into the 6 digits.

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Revamped Advantages/Disadvantages of FUE. Myths dispelled. Educate yourself

Everything FUE. Manual, motorized, ARTAS, NeoGraft, physician details and more

FUE Norwood 1-6 examples

Hair Transplant Basics. Must read. Constantly updated. Content loaded.

I believe that 2 sessions of 2,000 graphs per patient for a doctor like Dr. Bernstein is not uncommon. At $11 per graph, minus the $1 per graph, ARTAS fee, that's 40 grand per case, do 5 cases like that and it's paid for. Seems like a winner for a doctor with even minimal FUE interested patients at $11 per graph.

price was mentioned here:
Is Robot FUE Actually Cheaper? - Balding Blog

$11 per graft is astronomical ! That would put 2,800 FUE at $31,000 !

FUE practice are now coming down in cost as techniques develop, therefore anything to add to this cost is going against the market trend.

The figures just don't add up really. The $200k purchase price plus $1 per graft fee means that only the most expensive surgeons would purchase it.

This will ultimately mean that their prices will go up as they pass the cost onto the customer. As a result, it'll price them way out of the market and reduce demand for their service and make the (already) less expensive, manual/standard motorized procedures more appealing to potential new patients.

Nice bit of kit, but i can't see the proposed benefits outweighing the additional costs.

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Agreed. I'm also weary of how fast it punches the grafts. Maybe it has xray vision and can see how the graft grows and accommodates for the angle and depth within milliseconds?

__________________
Links:

Revamped Advantages/Disadvantages of FUE. Myths dispelled. Educate yourself

Everything FUE. Manual, motorized, ARTAS, NeoGraft, physician details and more

FUE Norwood 1-6 examples

Hair Transplant Basics. Must read. Constantly updated. Content loaded.