Patents by Inventor Bernd Block

Bernd Block 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: 20240042504
    Abstract: A method for producing a tubular semi-finished product for an implant scaffold which leads to an improvement of the dilatability of the scaffold. The semi-finished product consists of a magnesium alloy. The method includes extruding a tubular semi-finished product by a heated die or tempering an extruded tubular semi-finished product by a heating device. A tube drawing device applies a tensile stress and/or a torsional stress. The tube drawing device has a clamping device. The clamping device is fixed on a predefined portion of the tubular semi-finished product. Tensile force generated by the tube drawing device and/or the torsion moment generated by the tube drawing device is transferred to the semi-finished product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: ALEXANDER HEUSS, ULLRICH BAYER, OKECHUKWU ANOPUO, ANDRÉ SCHOOF, BERND BLOCK, JAN HANNEMANN
  • Patent number: 11266491
    Abstract: An implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, or a semi-finished part for an implant, having a hollow cylindrical body, wherein the body includes magnesium, and the body is enriched with gallium or a gallium alloy in a region close to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Biotronik AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Bernd Block, Baerbel Becher, Daniel Lootz
  • Patent number: 10102931
    Abstract: A connecting device including a nut, a screw, a body having a bore for screwing the screw to the nut through the bore with the screw abutting an abutment surface of the body, a screw locking device for preventing loosening of the screw. According to one aspect of the invention, the locking device is adapted for axially retaining the screw into the body after unscrewing the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Erhard Friedrich, Gregor Munsterjohann, Bernd Block
  • Publication number: 20180161144
    Abstract: An implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, or a semi-finished part for an implant, having a hollow cylindrical body, wherein the body includes magnesium, and the body is enriched with gallium or a gallium alloy in a region close to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Bernd Block, Baerbel Becher, Daniel Lootz
  • Patent number: 9913707
    Abstract: A method for producing an implant and the implant itself, particularly an intraluminal endoprosthesis, wherein the implant is produced from a preferably hollow cylindrical semifinished article (10), wherein the semifinished article contains magnesium or a magnesium alloy, the method comprising preparing the semifinished article (10), and shaping the semifinished article at a temperature of between 250° C. and 550° C. using a tool, which has a metallic lubricant containing gallium and/or a gallium compound on at least a part of its surface that will come into contact with the semifinished article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Bernd Block, Baerbel Becher, Daniel Lootz
  • Patent number: 9715946
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly is provided for a boiling water reactor. The nuclear fuel assembly includes a base, a head, and a bundle of full length fuel rods and partial length fuel rods, said bundle extending upwardly and longitudinally from the base to the head. The nuclear fuel assembly includes at least one clamp for longitudinally retaining a lower plug of a partial length fuel rod with respect to the base. The clamp is an additional part fitted to the base, the clamp is at least partially received in a housing provided in the base, and the clamp is assembled to the base by mechanical engagement of complementary assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Klaus Kurzer, Erhard Friedrich, Dirk Blavius, Bernd Block
  • Patent number: 9486337
    Abstract: A method for producing a semifinished part (20) for an implant, in particular for an intraluminal endoprosthesis, which comprises the following steps: a) providing a first sleeve (11) from a first metallic material and at least one second sleeve (12, 13) from a second metallic material, b) arranging the first sleeve (11) and the at least one second sleeve (12, 13) into one another in such a manner that the sleeve combination (10) forms at least a press fit between said sleeves, and c) forming the sleeve combination (10) at an increased temperature by means of extrusion. The invention further includes a method for producing an implant, to a corresponding semifinished part or a corresponding implant, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Bernd Block, Daniel Lootz, Jan Hannemann, Nils Venohr
  • Publication number: 20150140352
    Abstract: A semifinished product for an implant and implants produced from the semifinished product, the semifinished product comprising or consisting of a region of a magnesium alloy, which is characterized by a grain size gradient of the magnesium alloy between two opposed surfaces from ?3 ?m to ?8 ?m, in each case in relation to the average grain size. Use of the semifinished product for producing corresponding implants, and also a method for producing semifinished products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Okechukwu Anopuo, Bernd Block
  • Publication number: 20140064435
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly for boiling water reactor is provided. The nuclear fuel assembly includes a base, a head, a bundle of fuel rods extending longitudinally between the base and the head, a tubular fuel channel encasing the bundle of fuel rods, and at least one fuel channel spacer for transversely spacing the fuel assembly from an adjacent element. The or each fuel channel spacer includes a support having at least one plate and at least one corresponding leaf spring supported by the corresponding plate, the or each plate being fixed to a corresponding sidewall of the fuel channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Dirk Blavius, Erhard Friedrich, Bernd Block, Viktor Ruder, Corey Long, Michael Walker
  • Patent number: 8603569
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a degradation-inhibiting first layer on the surface of an implant body, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, whereby the body has at least one metallic material, which is at least largely biodegradable, comprising the following steps: preparing the body of the implant, and applying the first layer to at least a portion of the body surface, whereby the first layer contains magnesium stearate. An implant obtainable by such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Biotronik VI Patent AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Baerbel Becher, Bernd Block
  • Publication number: 20130282104
    Abstract: A method for producing a semifinished part (20) for an implant, in particular for an intraluminal endoprosthesis, which comprises the following steps: a) providing a first sleeve (11) from a first metallic material and at least one second sleeve (12, 13) from a second metallic material, b) arranging the first sleeve (11) and the at least one second sleeve (12, 13) into one another in such a manner that the sleeve combination (10) forms at least a press fit between said sleeves, and c) forming the sleeve combination (10) at an increased temperature by means of extrusion. The invention further includes a method for producing an implant, to a corresponding semifinished part or a corresponding implant, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: BIOTRONIK AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Bernd Block, Daniel Lootz, Jan Hannemann, Nils Venohr
  • Publication number: 20130163712
    Abstract: A nuclear fuel assembly is provided for a boiling water reactor. The nuclear fuel assembly includes a base, a head, and a bundle of full length fuel rods and partial length fuel rods, said bundle extending upwardly and longitudinally from the base to the head. The nuclear fuel assembly includes at least one clamp for longitudinally retaining a lower plug of a partial length fuel rod with respect to the base. The clamp is an additional part fitted to the base, the clamp is at least partially received in a housing provided in the base, and the clamp is assembled to the base by mechanical engagement of complementary assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Klaus Kurzer, Erhard Friedrich, Dirk Blavius, Bernd Block
  • Patent number: 8157859
    Abstract: A stent made of nitinol having improved axial or radial stiffness, the stent having a support structure which comprises peripheral struts around the circumference, wherein the peripheral struts are linked to one another in the axial direction via connection struts. The support structure may assume a first compressed state and a second expanded state. The nitinol is in the support structure in a martensitic microstructure in the compressed state and largely in an austenitic microstructure in the second expanded state. One or more support structure sections, however, are entirely or partially in a martensitic microstructure in the second expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Biotronik VI Patent AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lootz, Bernd Block
  • Publication number: 20120061230
    Abstract: A suction device has a suction pipe for aspirating fumes containing metal particles, in particular welding fumes, which aims to allow safe control of the fumes with a minimum of equipment expense and operational expense. For this purpose, an oxidation apparatus is provided according to the present invention. The particles flowing past the oxidation apparatus during operation are heated by way of a power supply and are thus oxidized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED NUCLEAR FUELS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Schubert, Michael Gessler, Bernd Block, Markus Mindt
  • Patent number: 8110088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, with a body containing metallic material, preferably iron. To control the degradation of the implant, the method comprises the following steps: a) preparing the body of the implant, and b) incorporating hydrogen into at least a portion of the structure of the implant body near the surface. Furthermore, such an implant is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK VI Patent AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Baerbel Becher, Bernd Block, Robert Voegele, Patricia Decker
  • Publication number: 20110261920
    Abstract: A connecting device including a nut, a screw, a body having a bore for screwing the screw to the nut through the bore with the screw abutting an abutment surface of the body, a screw locking device for preventing loosening of the screw. According to one aspect of the invention, the locking device is adapted for axially retaining the screw into the body after unscrewing the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Erhard Friedrich, Gregor Munsterjohann, Bernd Block
  • Publication number: 20100145432
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, wherein the base material of the body (5) of the implant has biodegradable metallic material, preferably Mg or an Mg alloy. The method comprises the following steps: a. Provide the body (5) of the implant, b. Apply a first layer (10), which contains Ca ions and P ions, to at least a part of the surface of the body (5) and c. Apply a second layer (20), which is at least partially permeable for Ca ions and P ions, such that this at least largely covers the first layer (10). Furthermore, a corresponding implant is described, in which the degradation behavior can be controlled through the production according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Baerbel Becher, Bernd Block, Daniel Lootz
  • Publication number: 20100137971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stent with a structure of a biocorrodible magnesium alloy or tungsten alloy, which comprises a multiplicity of web sections connected to one another, wherein (i) the structure has a support structure of a number of first web sections connected to one another, which are designed to perform a function supporting the vascular wall or preserving the mechanical integrity of the stent after an expansion of the stent for a predetermined period of time and (ii) at least one second web section is present, which a) is directly connected to a selected first web section, b) does not perform a function supporting the vascular wall or preserving the mechanical integrity of the stent after the expansion of the stent for the predetermined period of time, and c) has a smaller average grain size than the first web sections of the support structure from (i).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: BIOTRONIK VI PATENT AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lootz, Bernd Block
  • Publication number: 20100087915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, with a body containing metallic material, preferably iron. To control the degradation of the implant, the method comprises the following steps: a) preparing the body of the implant, and b) incorporating hydrogen into at least a portion of the structure of the implant body near the surface. Furthermore, such an implant is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: BIOTRONIK VI PATENT AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Baerbel Becher, Bernd Block, Robert Voegele, Patricia Decker
  • Publication number: 20100087916
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a degradation-inhibiting first layer on the surface of an implant body, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, whereby the body has at least one metallic material, which is at least largely biodegradable, comprising the following steps: preparing the body of the implant, and applying the first layer to at least a portion of the body surface, whereby the first layer contains magnesium stearate. An implant obtainable by such a method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: BIOTRONIK VI PATENT AG
    Inventors: Ullrich Bayer, Baerbel Becher, Bernd Block