Patents Assigned to pro med instruments GmbH
  • Patent number: 12343278
    Abstract: A head stabilization device useable for stabilizing a head of a patient during a medical procedure includes a modular design where stabilization assemblies of various configurations are interchangeable at receiving portions along a frame. The device includes a tensioning feature positioned away from the stabilization assembly but still operable to increase or decrease an amount of force the stabilization assembly applies to the patient's head. The device includes a locking feature for a stabilization assembly having a rotatable member having one or more stabilization features connected thereto. The device includes an adjustment feature to adjust a spacing between frame members with the adjustment feature providing a continuous range of adjustment rather than finite adjustment increments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Forst, Matthias Esser, Andreas Blum, David Devran Culha, Matthias Edgar Schuele
  • Patent number: 12285369
    Abstract: A head stabilization device includes a stabilization assembly and an applicator to control an amount of force that a stabilization feature applies to the head of the patient. The applicator includes a torque control feature that ensures a desired torque setting is not exceeding during use. The applicator can be detached from the remainder of the system such that the head stabilization device is usable without having a connected torque controlling feature or structures. The applicator in one version controls torque by adjusting a bending length of a pair of arms that extend within the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: pro med instruments, GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Forst, David Devran Culha, Marco Stephan Willesch, Matthias Edgar Schuele, Matthias Esser, Jan Heiko Mertens
  • Patent number: 12201482
    Abstract: A head fixation device includes a rocker arm assembly containing one or more stabilizing features. The rocker arm is rotatably adjustable about a longitudinal axis of the rocker arm assembly to any rotational position in a non-stepped fashion. The rocker arm assembly is removable from the head fixation device for easy of cleaning. A lever of the rocker arm assembly translates a shaft and includes eccentric features to provide a camming action for moving locking features of the rocker arm assembly to an unlocked state such that the rocker arm can be rotationally adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: pro med instruments, GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Sascha Kubis, Marco S. Willesch, Peter Forst, Dirk H. Janz
  • Patent number: 12156768
    Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a central head support for providing subjacent support to a head of a patient, and multiple lateral head supports for providing lateral support to the head of the patient. The central head support includes a cushion with one or more chambers that are fillable with a material. Similarly, the lateral head supports include respective pads with chambers that are fillable with a material. In some instances, the cushion and the pads used with the HFDs can include ports that permit pressure control by way of controlling a fluid volume within specific chambers of the cushion and/or pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Severin Moosmann, Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 12090000
    Abstract: A head stabilization device having the form of a skull clamp includes a first pin assembly and a second pin assembly. The pin assemblies are positioned opposite each other, and the first pin assembly has a first pin while the second pin assembly has a pair of pins. The pins used with the skull clamp are non-uniform. In this respect skull clamp can apply an equal force to a head of a patient from both sides. Additionally, the pressure at each pin location can be the same or substantially the same. This allows each of the pins to have the same or similar bone penetration when in use stabilizing the head of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Jan H. Mertens, Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 12042439
    Abstract: Exemplary head stabilization devices or head fixation devices (HFDs) include a central head support for supporting a patient's head from beneath. The HFDs are connectable to a patient support device such as an operating table. The HFDs can include a cushion associated with the central head support or base assembly and pads extending from adjustable extension bars that provide lateral support. The cushion and/or pads comprise a fluid chamber and a shape-conforming material chamber. The chambers work together such that the cushion and/or pads conform to the patient's head and can be adjusted in position and pressure to provide stabilization to the patient's head. In some instances, the cushions and pads used with the HFDs can include multiple chambers that permit pressure control by way of controlling a fluid volume within specific chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Severin Moosmann, Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 11806196
    Abstract: A head stabilization device or HFD includes a plurality of integrated markers. The HFD may be in the form of a skull clamp, vacuum bag, combinations thereof, or other supporting structure. The integrated markers include MRI markers detectable by an MRI scanner and fiducial markers detectable by a registration tool of a navigation system. The markers provide a reference point relative to an operation site in a patient for use in a navigation guided procedure and aid in registering or calibrating the location of the patient with captured images used in the navigation guided procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: pro med instruments GmbH, Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Sascha Kubis, Roman Maier
  • Patent number: 11291520
    Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Bernhard Gantner
  • Patent number: 11096680
    Abstract: A retractor system for use in medical procedures is connectable to a head fixation device. The retractor system includes a support assembly and an accessory that is mountable thereto. The support assembly is coupled with the head fixation device such that a position of the support assembly is adjustable relative to the head fixation device. The support assembly includes an upright support and a rod having a non-circular profile. The support assembly and rod are selectively and adjustably coupled to one another via a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes a pair of resilient members having contacting and non-contacting surfaces within bores of the resilient members. The accessory and rod are selectively and adjustably coupled to one another via another coupling assembly that comprises locking features operable to selectively engage and disengage the accessory with the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 10835226
    Abstract: A flexible arm for use in a medical procedure includes a plurality of bushings and a plurality of double-ball members engaged with one another to thereby provide flexibility to the flexible arm. The double-ball members include a concave bore having a convex interior surface. The flexible arm further includes a wire extending through the concave bore of the double-ball members. An exterior diameter of the wire closely approximates or matches an interior diameter of the concave bore at its smallest point such that the curved members are operable to guide the wire as the flexible arm is flexed. The wire may be adjusted to thereby manipulate the amount of engagement between the bushings and the double-ball members to thereby manipulate the flexibility of the flexible arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 10682196
    Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an integrated rail for attaching accessories thereto. One or more clamps are configured to engage with the integrated rail. Additional accessories can be attached to the one or more clamps, which also include a starburst interface and an integrated rail. The clamps use a linear translating closure mechanism to engage the clamps to the integrated rail of the skull clamp. In some versions, the head fixation device is configured with a navigation adapter that attaches to an upper portion of the skull clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 10285732
    Abstract: A skull clamp for patient stabilization comprises a pair of arms where the arms include upright portions and lateral portions. The upright portions and lateral portions define longitudinal axes, where the intersection of these axes defines an arm angle that is greater than about 90 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is between about 100 and about 120 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is about 110 degrees. The skull clamp can have rails integrated in the arms for attaching various accessories to the skull clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 10231798
    Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Bernhard Gantner
  • Patent number: 10172685
    Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Bernhard Gantner
  • Patent number: 9833289
    Abstract: A substantially radiolucent cranial stabilization pin is adapted for use with a fixture for immobilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure. The pin includes a tip and a body, which are secured together to form the pin. The tip and body are constructed from non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials that are biocompatible. The tip and body are safe for use with, and compatible with, imaging techniques including MR imaging and CT imaging. In some examples the tip is a titanium insert and the body is molded within and around at least a portion of the tip. In some versions, the tip includes a hollow portion and one or more projections extending within the hollow portion. The molded body flows into the hollow portion and around the one or more projections of the tip creating a secure pin suitable to withstand torque and axial forces observed in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: pro med instruments, GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Edgar F. Schuele, Matt Mastromatteo
  • Patent number: 9788900
    Abstract: A surgical instrument positioning system includes articulating arms for coarse adjustment and a micro manipulator connectable to the articulating arms for fine adjustment. The micro manipulator selectively holds the surgical instrument and is operable to adjust the position of the surgical instrument. The micro manipulator includes two adjustment assemblies for providing linear adjustment and two adjustment assemblies for providing rotational adjustment. Features of the system also provide for control of the amount of free movement or play within the micro manipulator. Also a stop feature works in conjunction with the adjustment assemblies to maintain the tip of the instrument at an intersection of the two rotational axes facilitating rotational adjustment of the micro manipulator without linear displacement of the instrument tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 9402692
    Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an integrated rail for attaching accessories thereto. One or more clamps are configured to engage with the integrated rail. Additional accessories can be attached to the one or more clamps, which also include a starburst interface and an integrated rail. The clamps use a linear translating closure mechanism to engage the clamps to the integrated rail of the skull clamp. In some versions, the head fixation device is configured with a navigation adapter that attaches to an upper portion of the skull clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
  • Patent number: 9078679
    Abstract: A substantially radiolucent cranial stabilization pin is adapted for use with a fixture for immobilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure. The pin includes a tip and a body, which are secured together to form the pin. The tip and body are constructed from non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials that are biocompatible. The tip and body are safe for use with, and compatible with, imaging techniques including MR imaging and CT imaging. In some examples the tip is a titanium insert and the body is molded within and around at least a portion of the tip. In some versions, the tip includes a hollow portion and one or more openings providing access to the hollow portion. The molded body flows into and around portions of the tip creating a secure pin suitable to withstand torque and axial forces observed in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Matthias E. Schuele, Christian P. Schuele, Thomas C. Schuele
  • Patent number: 8844536
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for use with a head fixation device allows for a stabilizing fixture, such as a rocker arm having a pair of skull pins, to be selectively secured so that the stabilizing fixture can be adjustably rotated to a desired position. In some version the locking apparatus includes a connector that is retained within an opening in a portion of the head fixation device. The connector can translate within the opening and is restricted from rotation. The translating of the connector permits the connector to engage an arch member that retains the stabilizing fixture. The engagement of the connector and arch member is accomplished, in some versions, by way of matching axial oriented toothed portions or starburst features. In some versions the teeth on the starburst features include a chamfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: pro med instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
  • Publication number: 20140275973
    Abstract: A drape is provided for use in a surgical or diagnostic procedure using MRI and a patient stabilization device. The drape protects a coil portion of a coil. The drape further includes one or more attachment members to selectively attach and secure the drape to the stabilization device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: pro med instruments Gmbh
    Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele