Patents by Inventor Andre Schlienger

Andre Schlienger 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: 9750552
    Abstract: Expandable fixation assemblies, expandable cranial fixation assemblies, and expandable intervertebral implant assemblies are provided for securing structures to bone and for securing bones and/or bone segments with respect to each other. An expansion member can be moved through at least a portion of an expandable fixation body, thereby causing expansion of the expandable fixation body, such that bone engagement features of the expandable fixation body engage surrounding structure, such as bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Stephan, Bryan J. Griffiths, Samuel Leuenberger, Robert J. Schoutens, Marcello Memmolo, Daniela Pricope, Rainer Ponzer, Andre Schlienger
  • Patent number: 9205185
    Abstract: A pumping unit for use in a device for expressing human breast milk comprises a breast shield for resting against a mother's breast and a dimensionally stable or approximately dimensionally stable milk collection container for receiving the expressed mother's milk. The breast shield comprises a first longitudinal center axis, and the milk collection container comprises a second longitudinal center axis, wherein the milk collection container is detachably attachable to the breast shield, and wherein in the attached state of the milk collection container the first longitudinal center axis is arranged at an angle to the second longitudinal center axis. In the attached state the milk collection container is movable relative to the breast shield, and consequently the angle between the first and second longitudinal center axes is variable. The pumping unit according to the invention can be designed in a compact and space-saving manner and is particularly suited to a hands-free arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Etienne Furrer, Mario Rigert, Deanna Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20150150612
    Abstract: Expandable fixation assemblies, expandable cranial fixation assemblies, and expandable intervertebral implant assemblies are provided for securing structures to bone and for securing bones and/or bone segments with respect to each other. An expansion member can be moved through at least a portion of an expandable fixation body, thereby causing expansion of the expandable fixation body, such that bone engagement features of the expandable fixation body engage surrounding structure, such as bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Kai Stephan, Bryan J. Griffiths, Samuel Leuenberger, Robert J. Schoutens, Marcello Memmolo, Daniela Pricope, Rainer Ponzer, Andre Schlienger
  • Patent number: 8906024
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail includes an elongated body extending along a central longitudinal axis. The intramedullary nail includes a straight proximal end portion along with a straight distal end portion extending proximally from a distal end of the nail by a predetermined length and a central portion extending proximally from a proximal end of the distal end portion to a distal end of the proximal end portion. The central portion includes a first curved portion having a first length with a first radius of curvature and a second curved portion having a second length shorter than the first length and a second, non-zero radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Robert Frigg
  • Patent number: 8518040
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail includes (a) a longitudinal nail body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a central longitudinal axis and a diameter D, the nail body being configured for insertion into a medullary cavity of a bone, the nail body having a proximal portion and a distal portion longitudinally separated from one another; (b) a first transverse hole extending through the distal portion of the nail body at an angle transverse to the central longitudinal axis and defining a first transverse hole axis, the first transverse hole axis being offset from the central longitudinal axis of the nail body; and (c) a second transverse hole extending through the distal portion of the nail body at an angle transverse to the central longitudinal axis and defining a second transverse hole axis. The first transverse hole axis intersects the second transverse hole axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20120323240
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail, particular for use with a tibia, may have a proximal end part, a distal end part adapted to be introduced into a medullary space, and a central section. The central section includes a first curved section having a first length with a first radius of curvature, and a second curved section having a second length shorter than the first length and a second radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature may be less than the first radius of curvature. The intramedullary nail also includes a central axis. Tangents at two end points of the central section, including the first and second curved sections, enclose an angle gamma between about 9° and about 12°. The intramedullary nail may have a total length ranging from 200 to 500 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Andre SCHLIENGER, Markus BUETTLER, Robert FRIGG
  • Patent number: 8313488
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intramedullary nail (1) having a proximal half (2), a distal half (3) adapted for insertion into the medullary canal, and a central axis (4), whereby the distal half (3) includes three transverse bores (5, 6, 7) suitable for receiving locking screws (10). The distal half (3) is provided with a proximal transverse bore (5) having a bore axis (15), a central transverse bore (6) having a bore axis (16), and a distal transverse bore (7) having a bore axis (17) spaced along the central axis (4). The bore axis (16) of the central transverse bore (6), which extends between the proximal transverse bore (5) and the distal transverse bore (7), is spaced at a shortest distance “a” from the bore axis (15) of the proximal transverse bore (5), and at a shortest distance “b” from the bore axis (17) of the distal transverse bore (7), where a?b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buttler, Peter Senn
  • Patent number: 8262658
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail, particular for use with a tibia, may have a proximal end part, a distal end part adapted to be introduced into a medullary space, and a central section. The central section includes a first curved section having a first length with a first radius of curvature, and a second curved section having a second length shorter than the first length and a second radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature may be less than the first radius of curvature. The intramedullary nail also includes a central axis. Tangents at two end points of the central section, including the first and second curved sections, enclose an angle gamma between about 9° and about 12°. The intramedullary nail may have a total length ranging from 200 to 500 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Robert Frigg
  • Publication number: 20110106080
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail includes (a) a longitudinal nail body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having a central longitudinal axis and a diameter D, the nail body being configured for insertion into a medullary cavity of a bone, the nail body having a proximal portion and a distal portion longitudinally separated from one another; (b) a first transverse hole extending through the distal portion of the nail body at an angle transverse to the central longitudinal axis and defining a first transverse hole axis, the first transverse hole axis being offset from the central longitudinal axis of the nail body; and (c) a second transverse hole extending through the distal portion of the nail body at an angle transverse to the central longitudinal axis and defining a second transverse hole axis. The first transverse hole axis intersects the second transverse hole axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Andre SCHLIENGER, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20110046682
    Abstract: Expandable fixation assemblies, expandable cranial fixation assemblies, and expandable intervertebral implant assemblies are provided for securing structures to bone and for securing bones and/or bone segments with respect to each other. An expansion member can be moved through at least a portion of an expandable fixation body, thereby causing expansion of the expandable fixation body, such that bone engagement features of the expandable fixation body engage surrounding structure, such as bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SYNTHES GMBH OR SYNTHES USA, LLC
    Inventors: Kai Stephan, Bryan Griffiths, Samuel Leuenberger, Robert Schoutens, Marcello Memmolo, Daniela Pricope, Rainer Ponzer, Andre Schlienger
  • Patent number: 7892234
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail having a distal end is introducible into a medullary space. A medullary nail segment which is oriented towards the distal end and has a diameter D, a proximal end, at least two cross holes having a borehole axis and a central line formed by a line connecting centers of gravity of the axially successive transversal surfaces orthogonal with respect to the intramedullary nail, without taking into account the cross holes. The borehole axis of at least one cross-hole is shifted at a gap d1>0 with respect to the central line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20080312702
    Abstract: Described is a reference pin for use during a bone fracture treatment. The pin may include a longitudinal shaft and a spreading member. The longitudinal shaft with a longitudinal axis, a front end, a rear end and a through hole penetrating the shaft from the front end to the rear end. The shaft includes a rear portion adjoining the rear end and an expandable front portion adjoining the front end. The expandable front portion is insertable in a distal locking hole of an intramedullary nail and reversibly expandable transversely to the longitudinal axis. The spreading member is moveably located in the through hole and apt for reversibly expanding the expandable front end portion. The expandable front portion is reversibly expandable within a range between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20080262496
    Abstract: A surgical nail (1), in particular, an intramedullary nail, has a central axis (2) and is formed of a material (M) having a modulus of elasticity (E). A plurality of transversal openings (5) run transversally to the central axis (2) and have a cross-sectional profile (F) and a transversal axis (6), the cross-sectional profile (F) having a maximum length (a) that runs in the direction of the central axis and a maximum width (b) that runs perpendicular to the length. A longitudinal bore (3) runs coaxially with the central axis (2) and defines a wall (4). A longitudinal insert (7) can be introduced into the region of the transversal opening (5) via the longitudinal bore (3). Said insert has a longitudinal axis (13) and consists of a material (m). The insert (7) comprises at least one longitudinal slot (25) so that said insert can be elastically compressed in a radial manner and includes a plurality of radial elevations (14) fitting inside the transversal openings (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SYTHES (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20080255558
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail comprising a central axis and a transverse borehole, provided with an insert which can be introduced into the transverse borehole, said insert also containing a longitudinal slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20080009869
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail, particular for use with a tibia, may have a proximal end part, a distal end part adapted to be introduced into a medullary space, and a central section. The central section includes a first curved section having a first length with a first radius of curvature, and a second curved section having a second length shorter than the first length and a second radius of curvature smaller than the first radius of curvature. The second radius of curvature may be less than the first radius of curvature. The intramedullary nail also includes a central axis. Tangents at two end points of the central section, including the first and second curved sections, enclose an angle gamma between about 9° and about 12°. The intramedullary nail may have a total length ranging from 200 to 500 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Robert Frigg
  • Publication number: 20070288019
    Abstract: An intramedullary nail having a distal end is introducible into a medullary space. A medullary nail segment which is oriented towards the distal end and has a diameter D, a proximal end, at least two cross holes having a borehole axis and a central line formed by a line connecting centres of gravity of the axially successive transversal surfaces orthogonal with respect to the intramedullary nail, without taking into account the cross holes. The borehole axis of at least one cross-hole is shifted at a gap d1>0 with respect to the central line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20070276385
    Abstract: The intramedullary nail (1) is designated in particular for the tibia and has a distal end (2) for insertion into the medullary canal, a proximal end (3), a central axis (4) and a generally rod-like shape over the hole length L. The nail (1) has three distinct locking sections (5,6,7) with at least one through-hole (8) each for receiving locking screws whereby said three locking sections (5,6,7) are separated from each other by two distinct intermediate sections (9,10) having less through-holes (8) per length unit than each of the locking sections (5,6,7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicants: SYNTHES GMBH, SYNTHES (USA)
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buettler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20070156154
    Abstract: A screw comprising a head-side end, a tip, a screw core comprising an envelope surface carrying an outer thread, and a central line formed by the connection line of the centres of gravity of the axially successive, orthogonal cross-sectional surfaces of the screw core, without taking into account any cavities. The screw core comprises at least one cavity and the central line is not straight. The material weakening of the screw core, caused by the cavities, simplifies the passage thereof through a narrow point e.g. in a transverse borehole of an intrameduliar nail, as the screw without a straight central line can be radially deformed to a certain degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Peter Senn, Markus Buettler
  • Publication number: 20070016203
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intramedullary nail (1) having a proximal half (2), a distal half (3) adapted for insertion into the medullary canal, and a central axis (4), whereby the distal half (3) includes three transverse bores (5, 6, 7) suitable for receiving locking screws (10). The distal half (3) is provided with a proximal transverse bore (5) having a bore axis (15), a central transverse bore (6) having a bore axis (16), and a distal transverse bore (7) having a bore axis (17) spaced along the central axis (4). The bore axis (16) of the central transverse bore (6), which extends between the proximal transverse bore (5) and the distal transverse bore (7), is spaced at a shortest distance “a” from the bore axis (15) of the proximal transverse bore (5), and at a shortest distance “b” from the bore axis (17) of the distal transverse bore (7), where a?b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buttler, Peter Senn
  • Publication number: 20060241605
    Abstract: This intramedullary nail (1), particularly intended for the tibia, has a proximal end portion (2), a distal end portion (3) intended for the introduction into the medullary canal and a central axis (6). The intramedullary nail (1) has an overall length L in the range of 200-500 mm and a curved section (4) with the length of G?L. The curved section (4), with the length of G, has a curvature radius R in the range of 300-1300 mm and the L/R ratio is in the range of about 0.2 to about 0.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Andre Schlienger, Markus Buttler, Peter Senn