Patents by Inventor Uwe Steinhardt

Uwe Steinhardt 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: 20240164891
    Abstract: The invention proposes pre-load a ball joint (4) of an auditory ossicle prosthesis (1) with a disk-shaped pre-loading element (11) in a longitudinal direction of a shaft (7) of the auditory ossicle prosthesis (1), whereby an almost loss-free vibration transmission is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Uwe Steinhardt, Clemens Kuen, Stefan Rainer, Lukas Mair, Jörg Hausch
  • Publication number: 20230320843
    Abstract: The invention proposes forming an auditory ossicle prosthesis (1) in one piece from sheet metal, like pliers, with two congruent clamps (3), which can be opened and closed with a two-part head element (2), the head parts (4) of which act as pliers handles. The auditory ossicle prosthesis (1) can be clamped onto an auditory ossicle without exerting any force on the auditory ossicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Lukas Mair, Uwe Steinhardt, Clemens Kuen
  • Publication number: 20230122887
    Abstract: A length-adjustable ossicular prosthesis, includes a cylindrical pin serving as a connecting element, which connects a foot element to a head element. The head element is intended to be disposed on an inside of an eardrum, and the foot element is intended to be attached to an anvil in a human ear. The head element is designed as an elliptical ring having an opening, which can be closed by closing a locking mechanism comprising a hook. Two guiding and clamping elements project inwardly from the ring, between which, in an open position, the connecting element is displaceably guided, and which secure the head element non-displaceably and non-rotatably on the connecting element when the ring is closed, and as a result the guiding and clamping elements are tensioned against the connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Uwe STEINHARDT, Jörg HAUSCH, Clemens KUEN, Lukas MAIR
  • Publication number: 20210015674
    Abstract: An electrode guide device is described for inserting a cochlear implant electrode array into a scala tympany of a patient cochlea has an electrode guide tube and an end positioner at least partially contained within a cavity of the guide tube at the distal end and slidable within the cavity for adjustable extension beyond the distal end. The end positioner has a natural curvature that is constrained by the cavity of the guide tube for any portion contained within the cavity of the guide tube, and any portion of the end positioner extended beyond the distal end follows the natural curvature. The electrode array can be introduced through the groove of the guide tube along a first directional line towards an electrode opening in the patient cochlea, and then the distal end of electrode array emerging from the guide tube is redirected by the extension of the end positioner along a different second directional line through the electrode opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Max Frölich, Daniel Schurzig, Uwe Steinhardt
  • Patent number: 10888418
    Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis is made of a stiff deformable material and includes a planar head end with a central portion having a central diameter. The head end is adapted for engagement with a tympanic membrane from the middle ear of an implanted patient. An opposing pair of U-shaped stapes engagement legs bend down from the central portion so that an end distance between ends of the engagement legs is less than the central diameter. The engagement legs are adapted for adjustable length engagement with the stapes in the middle ear of the implanted patient. The head end and the engagement legs are adapted to transmit vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the stapes for perception as sound by the implanted patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Steinhardt, Clemens Kuen
  • Publication number: 20190201189
    Abstract: A middle ear prosthesis is made of a stiff deformable material and includes a planar head end with a central portion having a central diameter. The head end is adapted for engagement with a tympanic membrane from the middle ear of an implanted patient. An opposing pair of U-shaped stapes engagement legs bend down from the central portion so that an end distance between ends of the engagement legs is less than the central diameter. The engagement legs are adapted for adjustable length engagement with the stapes in the middle ear of the implanted patient. The head end and the engagement legs are adapted to transmit vibrations from the tympanic membrane to the stapes for perception as sound by the implanted patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Uwe Steinhardt, Clemens Kuen
  • Patent number: 10278813
    Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis has a head plate as a first fastening element, a second fastening element for the mechanical connection to the ossicular chain, or to the inner ear, and a connecting element. The head plate has a central coupling region and radially outward extending bridging elements which are connected to the coupling region via a radially inner end region and each transition into an outer free end section. The bridging elements are connected to the coupling region so that they fold together upon introduction of a force component parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein their end sections are pivoted radially closer to the longitudinal axis and thereby also execute an axial movement. The bridging elements, without this force, extend from the coupling region at a predefined, fixed angle. The prosthesis can be inserted into the middle ear of the patient more easily and through a much smaller artificial opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Heinz Kurz GmbH Medizintechnik
    Inventors: Karl-Bernd Huettenbrink, Axel Lang, Uwe Steinhardt, Markus Gaeckle
  • Patent number: 10244335
    Abstract: A coupling device for a middle ear implant includes a transducer end configured to engage an implantable electromechanical transducer, a bone engagement end configured to engage a temporal bone surface of a recipient patient, a planar loading spring located between the transducer end and the bone engagement end and configured for compression by displacement of the transducer end and the bone engagement end in towards each other, and compression indicators configured to provide visual indication of a pre-load force created on the temporal bone surface by the compression of the loading spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Lenarz, Uwe Steinhardt, Daniel Schurzig, Max Frölich, Kathrin Sonntag
  • Publication number: 20180104048
    Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis has a head plate as a first fastening element, a second fastening element for the mechanical connection to the ossicular chain, or to the inner ear, and a connecting element. The head plate has a central coupling region and radially outward extending bridging elements which are connected to the coupling region via a radially inner end region and each transition into an outer free end section. The bridging elements are connected to the coupling region so that they fold together upon introduction of a force component parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein their end sections are pivoted radially closer to the longitudinal axis and thereby also execute an axial movement. The bridging elements, without this force, extend from the coupling region at a predefined, fixed angle. The prosthesis can be inserted into the middle ear of the patient more easily and through a much smaller artificial opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Heinz Kurz GmbH Medizintechnik
    Inventors: Karl-Bernd HUETTENBRINK, Axel LANG, Uwe Steinhardt, Markus GAECKLE
  • Patent number: 9895252
    Abstract: A rhinological implant for straightening the nasal septum is fastened on both sides of a septum (S), separating left and right sides of a nasal cavity of a human nose, on the outer surface of the septum (S), in the left and the right sides of the nasal cavity. Before implantation, the implant is folded up from an initially flat blank into an implantable three-dimensional shape. The implant has a central back section which in an implanted state wraps around the free lower edge of the septum. Two side sections are provided on either side of the central back section to extend symmetrically with respect to the central back section. In the implanted state, the two side sections bear via the entire surface against the two diametrically opposed outer surfaces of the septum (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Heinz Kurz GmbH Medizintechnik
    Inventors: Daniel Felix Àwengen, Uwe Steinhardt
  • Publication number: 20170289713
    Abstract: A coupling device for a middle ear implant includes a transducer end configured to engage an implantable electromechanical transducer, a bone engagement end configured to engage a temporal bone surface of a recipient patient, a planar loading spring located between the transducer end and the bone engagement end and configured for compression by displacement of the transducer end and the bone engagement end in towards each other, and compression indicators configured to provide visual indication of a pre-load force created on the temporal bone surface by the compression of the loading spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Lenarz, Uwe Steinhardt, Daniel Schurzig, Max Frölich, Kathrin Sonntag
  • Patent number: 9730789
    Abstract: A passive ossicular prosthesis has a sound-conducting prosthesis body with a first coupling element for mechanical connection to the incus, malleus, or an actuator end piece of an active hearing aid at one end. The bight is made of a strip-shaped metallic material, partially open toward the outside via a gap-type opening and is intraoperatively crimped in the middle ear for permanent attachment. There is a second coupling element at the other end of the prosthesis body for connection to a further component of the ossicular chain or directly to the inner ear. The bight includes elongated perforations with longitudinal axes extending, in the implanted state, along a curved trajectory at a right angle or slant relative to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (a) of the enclosed object to reduce spring action and stiffness and markedly reduce the force to be applied for the crimping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Heinz Kurz GmbH Medizintechnik
    Inventors: Jack M. Kartush, Uwe Steinhardt, Heinz Kurz
  • Publication number: 20170048628
    Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis includes a first fastening element formed as a perforated tympanic membrane top plate and a second fastening element for coupling to a stapes of an inner ear of a patient under treatment. The ossicular prosthesis includes a connecting element having an adjusting device for adjusting the axial length. The connecting element includes two partial branches that extend symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, are extendable, compressible or both, can be permanently plastically deformed, and are folded in multiple loops. The loops are made from a material having a memory effect. Each of the loops of one of the partial branches has an activation tab that is thermally conductively attached to the most radially remote outer area, extends radially away from the loop, and has an activation surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The activation surfaces have a successively increasing radial distance in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: John T. McElveen, Uwe Steinhardt
  • Patent number: 9532790
    Abstract: A medical cutting device for producing thin cartilage disks has a device body with a first holding device with a first working section having a first recess disposed on a top side of the device body such that the first recess is entirely or partially enclosed by a first delimiting ridge and, a connecting section that is directly, rigidly adjoined by the first working section and a cover with a counterpart section to the connecting section that is directly, rigidly adjoined by a first pressure section, which comprises a central, first pressure plate that is resiliently held in the first pressure section and, in an operating state for producing thin cartilage disks, is disposed opposite the first recess, which is entirely or partially enclosed by the first delimiting ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Heinz Kurz GmbH Medizintechnik
    Inventors: Uwe Steinhardt, Heinz Kurz
  • Publication number: 20160175093
    Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis comprising a sound-conducting prosthesis body formed with a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The second coupling element is designed as a clip or a slotted bell and has an access opening into a receiving space having an inner surface in the axial extension of the prosthesis body. The inner surface is bounded by a peripheral outer edge having multiple interruptions. The second coupling element has, on an outer edge of the inner surface of the receiving space, at least two spikes distributed around the periphery of the outer edge, extending in a direction parallel to the axial extension of the elongate prosthesis body. In an implanted state, the spikes engage into the head of the stapes to effectuate a secure hold of the second coupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: SEILESH BABU, UWE STEINHARDT
  • Patent number: 9259311
    Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis formed as a sound-conducting, elongated prosthesis body has a first coupling element designed as a tympanic membrane top plate or a clip or a connecting piece to an actuator end piece of an active hearing implant and a second coupling element provided with an access opening into a receiving space designed as a bell or a clip for a mechanical connection of the prosthesis to the head of the stapes. The second coupling element has a backing section on an inner surface of the receiving space as an axial extension of the prosthesis body. The backing section protrudes from the prosthesis body into the receiving space. In an implanted state, the backing section bears against a head of the stapes and prevents a formation of a hollow space between the stapes and an inner surface of the receiving space in an axial extension of the elongated prosthesis body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Heinz Kurz GmbH Medizintechnik
    Inventors: Uwe Steinhardt, Seilesh Babu, Heinz Kurz
  • Patent number: 9216081
    Abstract: A total prosthesis for the middle ear, with a prosthesis body, with a first coupling element for connection of the prosthesis to the tympanic membrane or for coupling to the manubrium, and with a second coupling element for connection to the footplate of the stirrup, which second coupling element has a receiving part, connected rigidly to the prosthesis body, and has an insert part with a plug element that can be inserted coaxially, and with a shoe that is connected rigidly to the plug element and that bears on the footplate of the stirrup, is characterized in that the receiving part has an elongate cavity as a receiving opening with a cylindrical bore which extends axially and encloses the full circumference of the plug element and whose inside diameter is greater than the maximum transverse extent of the plug element, which elongate cavity is closed at the end away from the insert part and acts as an end abutment for the plug element, and in that the second coupling element extends axially by at most a thir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: HEINZ KURZ GMBH MEDIZINTECHNIK
    Inventors: Uwe Steinhardt, Heinz Kurz, Georg Schmid, Walter Heckmann
  • Publication number: 20150272728
    Abstract: A passive ossicular prosthesis has a sound-conducting prosthesis body with a first coupling element for mechanical connection to the incus, malleus, or an actuator end piece of an active hearing aid at one end. The bight is made of a strip-shaped metallic material, partially open toward the outside via a gap-type opening and is intraoperatively crimped in the middle ear for permanent attachment. There is a second coupling element at the other end of the prosthesis body for connection to a further component of the ossicular chain or directly to the inner ear. The bight includes elongated perforations with longitudinal axes extending, in the implanted state, along a curved trajectory at a right angle or slant relative to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis (a) of the enclosed object to reduce spring action and stiffness and markedly reduce the force to be applied for the crimping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jack M. Kartush, UWE STEINHARDT, HEINZ KURZ
  • Publication number: 20150045884
    Abstract: An ossicular prosthesis includes a sound-conducting prosthesis body with a first coupling element designed for the mechanical connection to the limb of incus (A) at one end and a second coupling element for the mechanical connection to parts of a component of the ossicular chain or directly to the inner ear, The first coupling element has a receiving part rigidly connected to the prosthesis body to accommodate the free end section of the limb of incus, including a U-shaped cliplock rotatably supported in the receiving part and swivellable over the free end section of the limb of incus in order to secure the limb of incus. The cliplock has at least one bulge directed toward the receiving part that protrudes from the cliplock so far that said bulge touches an outer surface of the receiving part when swivelled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: ALBRECHT EIBER, UWE STEINHARDT, HEINZ KURZ
  • Patent number: 8936637
    Abstract: A passive ossicular prosthesis includes a first and second fastening element for connection to the tympanic membrane. A connecting element connects the fastening elements in a sound-conducting manner. The connecting element includes a receiving part and an insertion part. The insertion part is inserted into a receiving opening of the receiving part. The receiving part encloses an end section of the insertion part in the manner of a clamp by way of two opposing, parallel legs disposed parallel to a shank axis of the connecting element. The legs have catch devices that fix the enclosed end section discrete spatial positions relative to the shank axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Heinz Kurz GmbH Medizintechnik
    Inventors: Uwe Steinhardt, Thomas Lenarz, Axel Lang, Heinz Kurz