Patents by Inventor Beat Knuchel

Beat Knuchel 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: 9011438
    Abstract: An orthopedic fixation plate comprises a plurality of cylindrical holes for attaching connectors of a external fixation system, wherein the fixation plate comprises two supporting elements around each orifice of a cylindrical hole wherein the supporting elements are connected with a sleeve and said supporting elements are also connected with a longitudinally oriented ring element arranged in a radial distance of said sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Philippe Lehmann, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Patent number: 8679117
    Abstract: A system for fixing a wire to a surface of an external fixator having a wire adapted to extend through bony structure fastened with respect to the surface. A bolt having a shaft which comprises a threaded section, a head section and at least one clamping element is provided wherein the bolt is adapted to extend through an opening in the external fixation element with a nut, and clamps the wire to the surface. A counter torque tool is used to provide a counter torque while fastening the wire with the bolt and the nut. The bolt comprises a counter torque opening and wherein the counter torque tool comprises a section which is adapted to engage into the counter torque opening of the bolt to apply the counter torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Beat Knuchel, Joël Bouquet, Philippe Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8641714
    Abstract: A clamping pin is provided for mounting in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises an axially extending screw, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to a longitudinal screw axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Patent number: 8287548
    Abstract: A wire or pin fixation and tensioning device has a wire post having a head portion with an opening having a predetermined longitudinal axis for reception of a wire or pin. The wire post has a neck portion for engaging an opening of the medical device. A locking element is adapted to be introduced into opening having an opening with inclined sections inclined to the longitudinal axis. A clamping cone abuts an abutment element and has a clamping opening to accommodate a wire and has outer surfaces inclined to the longitudinal axis and encompassed within the conical section of the locking element. Upon an axial displacement of the locking element relative to the cone a radial force is exerted onto the cone leading to a reduction of the diameter of the clamping opening to apply a radial force onto a wire or pin therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Publication number: 20120184958
    Abstract: A system for fixing a wire to a surface of an external fixator having a wire adapted to extend through bony structure fastened with respect to the surface. A bolt having a shaft which comprises a threaded section, a head section and at least one clamping element is provided wherein the bolt is adapted to extend through an opening in the external fixation element with a nut, and clamps the wire to the surface. A counter torque tool is used to provide a counter torque while fastening the wire with the bolt and the nut. The bolt comprises a counter torque opening and wherein the counter torque tool comprises a section which is adapted to engage into the counter torque opening of the bolt to apply the counter torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: STRYKER TRAUMA SA
    Inventors: Beat Knuchel, Joël Bouquet, Philippe Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20120123414
    Abstract: A clamping pin is provided for mounting in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises an axially extending screw, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to a longitudinal screw axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian STEINER, Meinrad FIECHTER, Beat KNUCHEL, Vinzenz BURGHERR
  • Patent number: 8114077
    Abstract: A clamping pin is intended to be inserted into and held in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises a screw having a longitudinal axis, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements are in contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages in one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Patent number: 8062293
    Abstract: A ball joint for use with an external fixator has a sleeve in engagement with a rod of a strut for the external fixator. A ring insert and a blocking element are provided, having a combined circumferential surface being able to be introduced into a hole of a ring of an external fixator. The ring insert and blocking element have complementary wedge surfaces allowing a relative radial displacement therebetween to enlarge the diameter of the combined circumferential surface for blocking the ball joint inside the hole. Additionally the sleeve comprises a spherical hollow ball portion with concentrical inner and outer spherical portions, wherein the outer spherical portion engages a complementary spherical socket of the blocking element and wherein the inner spherical portion is engaged by a ball nut. A connection element extends through the sleeve, blocking element and ring insert, wherein a radial displacement and axial displacement of the ring insert and blocking element are activated by the connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Beat Knuchel, Meinrad Fiechter, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Patent number: 8057474
    Abstract: A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator includes a tube and a rod, especially a threaded rod being in threaded engagement with the tube. The tube comprises at least one hole for accommodating a ball, the ball having the spherical shape for engagement with the threaded rod. A sleeve is provided on the portion of the tube comprising the hole. The sleeve comprises a non-spherical inner cross-section. The greater diameter of the sleeve has a dimension which is at least the sum of the outer diameter of the threaded rod plus the diameter of an accommodating ball for allowing direct axial movement of the threaded rod against the tube in such a rotational position of the sleeve. The lesser diameter has a dimension to place the ball within the threaded rod for allowing a rotational movement of the threaded rod against the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr, Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter
  • Publication number: 20090264883
    Abstract: An orthopedic fixation plate comprises a plurality of cylindrical holes for attaching connectors of a external fixation system, wherein the fixation plate comprises two supporting elements around each orifice of a cylindrical hole wherein the supporting elements are connected with a sleeve and said supporting elements are also connected with a longitudinally oriented ring element arranged in a radial distance of said sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Philippe Lehmann, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Publication number: 20090198292
    Abstract: A wire fixation device for fixing a tensioned wire or a pin to a medical device has a wire post having a head portion with an opening having a predetermined longitudinal axis for reception of a wire or pin. The wire post has a neck portion for being in engagement with an opening of the medical device. A locking element is adapted to be introduced into opening having an opening with inclined sections that are inclined to the longitudinal axis. A clamping cone abuts on an abutment element. The clamping cone has a clamping opening to accommodate a wire and has inclined outer surfaces that are inclined to the longitudinal axis and which are encompassed with the conical section of the locking element. Upon an axial displacement of the locking element relative to the clamping cone a radial force is exerted onto the clamping cone leading to a reduction of the diameter of the clamping opening such that if a wire or a pin is received in the clamping opening a radial force results onto the wire or the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Publication number: 20090198234
    Abstract: A telescopic strut for use with an external fixator includes a tube and a rod, especially a threaded rod being in threaded engagement with the tube. The tube comprises at least one hole for accommodating a ball, the ball having the spherical shape for engagement with the threaded rod. A sleeve is provided on the portion of the tube comprising the hole. The sleeve comprises a non-spherical inner cross-section. The greater diameter of the sleeve has a dimension which is at least the sum of the outer diameter of the threaded rod plus the diameter of an accommodating ball for allowing direct axial movement of the threaded rod against the tube in such a rotational position of the sleeve. The lesser diameter has a dimension to place the ball within the threaded rod for allowing a rotational movement of the threaded rod against the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr, Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter
  • Publication number: 20090198236
    Abstract: A clamping pin is intended to be inserted into and held in an opening of a medical device. The clamping pin comprises a screw having a longitudinal axis, a first clamping element having a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a first part of a clamping section. A second clamping element has a surface inclined to the longitudinal axis and provides a second part of the clamping section which is complementary to the opening in the medical device. The inclined surfaces of the first and second clamping elements are in contact. A screw extends at least partly through both the first and second clamping elements. The screw engages in one of the clamping elements such that the axial distance between the two clamping elements and the diameter of the clamping section that can come in contact with a surface of the opening in the medical device will be changed upon actuation of the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Meinrad Fiechter, Beat Knuchel, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Publication number: 20090198235
    Abstract: A ball joint for use with an external fixator has a sleeve in engagement with a rod of a strut for the external fixator. A ring insert and a blocking element are provided, having a combined circumferential surface being able to be introduced into a hole of a ring of an external fixator. The ring insert and blocking element have complementary wedge surfaces allowing a relative radial displacement therebetween to enlarge the diameter of the combined circumferential surface for blocking the ball joint inside the hole. Additionally the sleeve comprises a spherical hollow ball portion with concentrical inner and outer spherical portions, wherein the outer spherical portion engages a complementary spherical socket of the blocking element and wherein the inner spherical portion is engaged by a ball nut. A connection element extends through the sleeve, blocking element and ring insert, wherein a radial displacement and axial displacement of the ring insert and blocking element are activated by the connection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Christian Steiner, Beat Knuchel, Meinrad Fiechter, Vinzenz Burgherr
  • Patent number: 7025151
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for limiting torque to be transferred, having first and second shafts having a longitudinal axis; at least first and second transfer elements arranged coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the first and second shafts, the first transfer element associated with the first shaft and the second transfer element associated with the second shaft; the two transfer elements having substantially complementary engaging faces; at least one elastic element configured to bias the engaging faces of the first and second transfer elements into engagement with each other; wherein an engaging face of the first transfer element has a first engageable contour, and an engaging face of the second transfer element has a second engageable contour, wherein first and second engageable contours each have first and second active angles and a first passive angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Synthes (USA)
    Inventors: Markus Hehli, Beat Knuchel, Rolf Schneider
  • Publication number: 20050145402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for limiting torque to be transferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Hehli, Beat Knuchel, Rolf Schneider