Patents by Inventor Thorsten Kern

Thorsten Kern 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).

  • Publication number: 20230372183
    Abstract: A rehabilitation apparatus for wrist and forearm therapy comprising an adjustable armrest, a motor, and a rotatable base having a plurality of sockets for engaging a plurality of handles for different types of therapy, wherein the motor is configured to move the rotatable base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Alireza ABBASIMOSHAEI, Thorsten A. KERN
  • Patent number: 9268402
    Abstract: An operator control device has an operating element with haptic feedback. The operating element has a touch-sensitive operator control area and is operated through an input element. The device includes a first and a stationary second flat component that are composed of a ferromagnetic material and arranged to face each other in parallel by way of their large areas. The operator control device also includes a coil or an electrical conductor that is arranged between the first and second flat components and associated with a first pole shoe that is connected to the second flat component and projects in relation to the first flat component. A magnetic field can be generated by applying current to the coil or to the conductor, and the first flat component is driven by the magnetic field such that the first flat component can be displaced horizontally with respect to the stationary second flat component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Thorsten Kern, Ingo Zoller
  • Patent number: 9195308
    Abstract: An operator control apparatus has an operator control element with haptic feedback. The operator control element has an input area and can be operated by an operator using an input member. The operator control apparatus includes a first and second ferromagnetic areal components and a first and second flat coils that are arranged between the first and second components. The first and second components have their largest areas oriented toward each other and are configured to move relative to each other. The input area is either configured as a part of the first or second component or coupled to the first or second component using a coupling apparatus. The first coil is associated with the first component and the second coil is associated with the second component such that a flow of current through the first and second coils causes the first and second components to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Thorsten Kern, Ingo Zoller
  • Publication number: 20140197938
    Abstract: An operator control device has an operating element with haptic feedback. The operating element has a touch-sensitive operator control area and is operated through an input element. The device includes a first and a stationary second flat component that are composed of a ferromagnetic material and arranged to face each other in parallel by way of their large areas. The operator control device also includes a coil or an electrical conductor that is arranged between the first and second flat components and associated with a first pole shoe that is connected to the second flat component and projects in relation to the first flat component. A magnetic field can be generated by applying current to the coil or to the conductor, and the first flat component is driven by the magnetic field such that the first flat component can be displaced horizontally with respect to the stationary second flat component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Thorsten Kern, Ingo Zoller
  • Publication number: 20140176478
    Abstract: An operator control apparatus has an operator control element with haptic feedback. The operator control element has an input area and can be operated by an operator using an input member. The operator control apparatus includes a first and second ferromagnetic areal components and a first and second flat coils that are arranged between the first and second components. The first and second components have their largest areas oriented toward each other and are configured to move relative to each other. The input area is either configured as a part of the first or second component or coupled to the first or second component using a coupling apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Thorsten Kern, Ingo Zoller
  • Patent number: 8312779
    Abstract: The invention makes it possible to determine a force vector that is applied to a tip of a minimally invasive surgical instrument. The force acts upon the housing, is directed to the base, and causes a deformation there in special beam structures. Said deformation is detected by tension-sensitive/extension-sensitive resistors whose changes are a measure for the applied force vector. The inventive measuring element comprises special mounting elements so as to be integrated into tube-type instruments such as guiding wires, fastening zones for additional components, an overload protection, and a head shape that is adapted to the treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Inventors: Thorsten Meiss, Thorsten Kern, Stephanie Sindlinger, Roland Werthschützky
  • Patent number: 8286510
    Abstract: A force sensor for detecting at least a force acting in a longitudinal direction of a catheter or guide wire, the force sensor comprising a force pick-up for detecting the force, wherein the force pick-up comprises: a base body with an end face, wherein the base body includes at least one cutout, wherein the cutout causes an asymmetry of the base body relative to the longitudinal direction of the catheter or guide wire upon flexing of the base body upon force Fz loading thereon from an axial direction, wherein the end face includes a surface area that is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the base body in the region of the cutout, but not substantially smaller than the cross-section of the rest of the base body. A method for using this force sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventors: Thorsten Meiss, Thorsten Kern, Stephanie Sindlinger, Roland Werthschützky
  • Publication number: 20100307265
    Abstract: The invention makes it possible to determine a force vector that is applied to a tip of a minimally invasive surgical instrument. The force acts upon the housing, is directed to the base, and causes a deformation there in special beam structures. Said deformation is detected by means of tension-sensitive/extension-sensitive resistors whose changes are a measure for the applied force vector. The inventive measuring element comprises special mounting elements so as to be integrated into tube-type instruments such as guiding wires, fastening zones for additional components, an overload protection, and a head shape that is adapted to the treatment process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Thorsten Werthschützky, Thorsten Meiss, Thorsten Kern, Stephanie Sindinger
  • Publication number: 20100024574
    Abstract: A force sensor for detecting at least a force acting in a longitudinal direction of a catheter or guide wire, the force sensor comprising a force pick-up for detecting the force, wherein the force pick-up comprises: a base body with an end face, wherein the base body includes at least one cutout, wherein the cutout causes an asymmetry of the base body relative to the longitudinal direction of the catheter or guide wire upon flexing of the base body upon force Fz loading thereon from an axial direction, wherein the end face includes a surface area that is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the base body in the region of the cutout, but not substantially smaller than the cross-section of the rest of the base body. A method for using this force sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Roland Werthschutzky, Thorsten Meiss, Thorsten Kern, Stephanie Sindlinger