Patents by Inventor Helmut Heckele

Helmut Heckele has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8721525
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a radiation source which emits a modulated radiation and is applied in a manner such that an object to be examined by an endoscope may be illuminated with the radiation. A sensor is provided for detecting the radiation reflected by the object,at at least one picture point. An evaluation device obtains readings of the detected radiation from the sensor, determines phase differences on the basis of these readings, and computes the distance of the object to the sensor device on the basis of these phase differences. A corresponding supplementary module for an endoscope and endoscope optics with these features are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Hubert Völlinger
  • Patent number: 7445624
    Abstract: The sample taker comprises a hollow shank with a scoop fixedly connected at its distal end, a handling means provided at the proximal end of the 20 hollow shank and an actuation mechanism. An actuation rod is axially movable in the hollow shank and connectable to the actuation mechanism. A covering is allocated in the trough of the scoop. The covering is fastened to a distal end of the actuation rod and displaceable forwards and backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Freier, Eberhard Körner, Helmut Heckele
  • Publication number: 20080188716
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a radiation source which emits a modulated radiation and is applied in a manner such that an object to be examined by an endoscope may be illuminated with the radiation. A sensor is provided for detecting the radiation reflected by the object, at least one picture point. An evaluation device obtains readings of the detected radiation from the sensor, determines phase differences on the basis of these readings, and computes the distance of the object to the sensor device on the basis of these phase differences. A corresponding supplementary module for an endoscope and endoscope optics with these features are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: RICHARD WOLF GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut HECKELE, Hubert VOLLINGER
  • Patent number: 7066881
    Abstract: A spreading laryngoscope is provided with two spatulas able to be moved apart, wherein on at least on of the two spatulas on each longitudinal side there is formed at least one projecting tab. The at least one tab on each side proceeds from the longitudinal side of the one spatula, extends to the other spatula, and is rigidly connected to the one spatula from which it proceeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Dietzel, Helmut Heckele
  • Patent number: 6918916
    Abstract: The target apparatus for positioning a drilling tool with respect to a drilling channel to be created in a bone consists of a target hook and a guide arm which is releasably connected to this and on which there is arranged a receiver for the drilling tool, and a guide path in the form of a laterally through-going open groove for the guide arm. The guide arm may be displaced and fixed in the guide path. A simple assembly and disassembly of the apparatus is achieved in that the guide arm on the side of the apparatus is applied into the guide path through the groove opening and reversely, by lifting away out of the groove, may be separated from the target hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Göbel, Eberhard Körner, Helmut Heckele
  • Publication number: 20050059857
    Abstract: The medical endoscope includes a hollow shank for leading through an operating instrument and a housing which may be detachably coupled to the hollow shank. An optical system includes a shank body with a light guide and an image guide in its inside, wherein the shank body may be inserted eccentrically into the hollow shank. A plurality of hollow shanks is provided, each hollow shank having a coupling which mates with the housing and a tube having an inner wall with a diameter which is different from the inner diameter of the other tubes. The shank body with its light guide and image guide is crescent-shaped in cross section. The housing is provided with a rinsing connection union for supplying and discharging rinsing fluid through the ensoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Freier, Helmut Heckele, Daniel Dietzel, Garrett Walsh, William Smythe
  • Patent number: 6830574
    Abstract: The instrument serves for the application in particular of bone grafts in the space between two vertebrae and includes a shank, a handle, and a holder for the implant, which forms the distal instrument part. The holder is pivotably mounted relative to the shank and can be fixed in any respective position which is reached by pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Friedrich Hähnle, Eberhard Körner
  • Publication number: 20040097946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cutting bones to size, in particular with displacement osteotomy, with at least one mounting part in which there is formed a receiving channel for receiving a bone piece. In the mounting pat in the region of the receiving channel there is formed at least one slot arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the receiving channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Dietzel, Helmut Heckele
  • Patent number: 6723125
    Abstract: The device for conditioning an organic ligament to be implanted, in particular a ligament as a cruciate ligament replacement, is equipped with first and second receiving elements for receiving and tensioning the ligament at two spaced locations. The first receiving elements is connected to means for the periodic translatory adjustment of the first receiving element with respect to the ligament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Eberhard Körner, Martin Seebach, Jürgen Göbel
  • Publication number: 20030212309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spreading laryngoscope with two spatulas able to be moved apart, wherein on at least on of the two spatulas on each longitudinal side there is formed in each case one projecting tab which, proceeding from the longitudinal side of the one spatula, extends to the other spatula and is rigidly connoted to the spatula.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Dietzel, Helmut Heckele
  • Patent number: 6565587
    Abstract: A cutter for removing tissue has a cutter head, a cutter shank which carries the cutter head and to which the cutter head is connected in a rotationally fixed manner, and a drive driving the cutter shank. For adjustability of the effectiveness of the cutter with the removal of cartilaginous or bony tissue parts, there is provided a first rotatable sleeve which comprises an inner bore arranged eccentrically to the middle axis of this sleeve, and a second stationary sleeve arranged in the inner bore of the first sleeve and which for passage of the cutter shank comprises an inner bore arranged eccentrically to the middle axis of the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Eberhard Körner
  • Publication number: 20030051591
    Abstract: The target apparatus for positioning a drilling tool with respect to a drilling channel to be created in a bone consists of a target hook and a guide arm which is releasably connected to this and on which there is arranged a receiver for the drilling tool, and a guide path in the form of a laterally through-going open groove for the guide arm. The guide arm may be displaced and fixed in the guide path. A simple assembly and disassembly of the apparatus is achieved in that the guide arm on the side of the apparatus is applied into the guide path through the groove opening and reversely, by lifting away out of the groove, may be separated from the target hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Gobel, Eberhard Korner, Helmut Heckele
  • Publication number: 20020128682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical forceps with a shank and with a distal-side forceps jaw with two jaw parts which are sharp-cutting on closing the forceps jaw and of which the first jaw part is pivotable relative to the other stationary second jaw part by way of axial adjustment of an actuation element. For improving the handling according to the invention it is envisaged that the two jaw parts which in each case are formed two-limbed, in the longitudinal section are configured essentially L-shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Prestel, Daniel Dietzel, Helmut Heckele, Ernst Falk
  • Publication number: 20020040240
    Abstract: The device for conditioning an organic ligament to be implanted, in particular a ligament as a cruciate ligament replacement, is equipped with a first and with a second receiving element for receiving and tensioning the ligament at two distanced locations, wherein the first receiving element is connected to means for the periodic, and with respect to the ligament, translatoric adjustment of the first receiving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Eberhard Korner, Martin Seebach, Jurgen Gobel
  • Publication number: 20020040228
    Abstract: The sample taker comprises a hollow shank with a scoop arranged at its distal end, a handling means provided at the proximal end of the hollow shank and with an actuation organ, and an actuation rod axially movable in the hollow shank and connectable to the actuation organ. To the trough of the scoop rigidly arranged on the hollow shank there is allocated a covering which is displaceable forwards and backwards and which is distally fastened on the actuation rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Freier, Eberthard Korner, Helmut Heckele
  • Publication number: 20020016605
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter for removing tissue, with a cutter head, with a cutter shank which carries the cutter head and to which the cutter head is connected in a rotationally fixed manner, and with a drive driving the cutter shank. For the adjustability of the effectiveness of the cutter with the removal of cartilaginous or bony tissue parts there is provided a first rotatable sleeve which comprises an inner bore which is arranged eccentrically to the middle axis of this sleeve, and a second stationary sleeve which is arranged in the inner bore of the first sleeve and which for the passage of the cutter shank comprises an inner bore which is arranged eccentrically to the middle axis of the second sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Eberhard Korner
  • Publication number: 20010021853
    Abstract: The instrument serves the application in particular of bone grafts in the space between two vertebrae and consists of a shank, of a handle and of a holder for the implant, which forms the distal instrument part. The holder is pivotably mounted relative to the shank and can be fixed in its position which in each case is reached by pivoting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Applicant: RICHARD WOLF GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Friedrich Hahnle, Eberhard Korner
  • Patent number: 6176855
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument for the therapy of the heart muscle forming channels in the heart muscle tissue by way of laser energy and including a shank tube and at least one instrumentation channel for a laser fiber disposed in axial direction within the shank tube as well as central optics parallel to the laser fiber for observing the locus of treatment. The distal end of the shank tube may be connected to a vacuum source and is designed such that the heart muscle can be restrained by partially suctioning the same against the shank end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Martin Seebach, Friedrich-Wilhelm Hehrlein, Reinhard Schueck
  • Patent number: 6059325
    Abstract: The coupling consists of two releasably coupleable coupling parts of which one coupling part is allocated an instrument, apparatus or other tubing and the other coupling part is to be connected to another tubing. In the coupled condition one coupling part with a convex spherical surface lies against a concave spherical surface formed on the neighbouring region of the other coupling part. With this, both coupling parts are sealingly axially braced against one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Thomas Poschko
  • Patent number: 5954632
    Abstract: An endoscope, in particular a mediastinoscope, in which the handle and the optics guided therein form an inseparable unit and which includes a first and second spatula-like part which can be separated from one another in the longitudinal direction. An adjusting mechanism is provided which permits a separation, a fastenable displacement parallel to the axis and a fastenable pivoting of the two parts relative to one another. In particular by way of the pivotability an expansion of a body cavity to be visually examined or which is to undergo therapy by way of introduced auxiliary instruments is made possible according to requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Martin Weigel, Marcel Dahan, Albert Linder