Patents by Inventor Christian Knöpfle

Christian Knöpfle 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: 20180132915
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an implant for bone fixation comprising an elongated member configured to be wound around bone parts that are to be fixed, an engagement member coupled to the elongated member and configured to engage a portion of the elongated member so as to secure the implant in a loop around the bone parts, and a fastening member arranged between and coupled to the elongated member and the engagement member. The fastening member comprises at least two separate pieces each comprising one opening for receiving a bone fastener, wherein the separate pieces are coupled to each other by a material having a lower material strength than a material from which the separate pieces are made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Matthias Esser, Gheorghe Marton, Eva Beutel, Christian Knoepfle, Manfred Schmuck, Karl Greiner
  • Patent number: 9801671
    Abstract: A fixation assembly for securing parts of a sternum has a first section having a first attachment structure for securing the first section to a first sternum part. The fixation assembly includes a second section having a second attachment structure for securing the second section to a second sternum part. A mating arrangement is provided defining a mating direction and a predetermined relative position between the first and second sections in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. At least one holding member is provided for detachably holding the first and second sections in an abutting relationship in the predetermined relative position. This may be achieved in one variant by simultaneous engagement of the first and second sections substantially along the mating direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck
  • Patent number: 9782202
    Abstract: A surgical distance adjusting assembly for a distractor has a base having a first connecting portion configured to hold a first bone attachment member and a carrier having a second connecting portion configured to hold a second bone attachment member. The base and the carrier are movable relative to each other, wherein the first and second connecting portions provide a releasable mechanical coupling to the first and second bone attachment members. The releasable mechanical coupling comprises a hook member at one or both of the first and second connecting portions and configured to engage the respective bone attachment member. Alternatively, the releasable mechanical coupling comprises an opening at one or both of the first and second connecting portions. The opening has a thread for a fixation screw configured to releasable couple the respective bone attachment member to the respective connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck, Michael Volk
  • Publication number: 20170265919
    Abstract: A load distributor for a sternum closure device comprises a wire receiving section configured to be attached to a wire of the sternum closure device, and a load distributing section. A tool for cutting the load distributor comprises a pair of jaws movable between a load distributor receiving position and a cutting position, wherein at least one of the jaws has substantially V-shaped cutting edges tapered towards the other jaw in an angle to the longitudinal extension of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Friedhelm Beyersdorf, Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck
  • Patent number: 9717489
    Abstract: A retractor (10) for use in a surgical intervention in the area of an eye socket is described. The retractor (10) comprises two planar retraction elements (26, 28), which are movable relative to each other between an insertion position with a first surface coverage and a retraction position with a second surface coverage AI, which is smaller than the first surface coverage. A spring element (20) provides pretensioning, which presses the retraction elements (26, 28) into the retraction position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Juergen Rettich
  • Patent number: 9427275
    Abstract: A bending instrument for a surgical element has two branches or arms which are pivotable relative to one another. A bending punch and two counter members are provided. The counter members interact with the bending punch to deform the surgical element. An actuator for the bending punch is adapted to convert an actuating movement of the branches or arms into a linear movement of the bending punch in a direction towards a region between the two counter members in order to bend the surgical element therebetween. First and second bending structures are provided for co-operatively bending the surgical element, wherein the bending instrument is configured to convert an actuating movement of the branches into a mating movement of the first and second bending structures towards one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck
  • Publication number: 20160199111
    Abstract: An implant for bone fixation is presented. The implant comprises an elongated member configured to be wound around bone parts that are to be fixed. Further, an engagement feature is provided that is coupled to the elongated member and configured to engage a portion of the elongated member so as to secure the implant in a loop around the bone parts. A fastening member is arranged between and coupled to the elongated member and the engagement member. The fastening member comprises at least one opening for receiving a bone fastener. In one variant, at least one visual indicator indicating a region of the fastening member to be severed in order to detach the implant is provided. In another variant, at least one of the engagement member and the elongated member are coupled to the fastening member by injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck
  • Publication number: 20160113692
    Abstract: A fixation assembly for securing parts of a sternum is provided. The assembly comprises a flexible elongated member and an attachment member. The flexible elongated member includes a locking structure configured to secure the flexible elongated member in a loop around the sternum parts. The attachment member has at least one opening for receiving a bone fastener and is coupled to the flexible elongated member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventor: Christian Knoepfle
  • Publication number: 20160038200
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for fixing bone fragments is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a positioning member with two pad holding portions, two pad members each having a bone contacting surface and each configured to be releasably held at one of the pad holding portions of the positioning member so that the bone contacting surfaces of the two pad members face each other, and two guiding channels configured to receive a flexible elongated member, each guiding channel being formed in a region between the bone contacting surface of one of the pad members and the associated pad holding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Christian Knoepfle
  • Patent number: 9155576
    Abstract: A bone anchor, orthopaedic device and orthopaedic system are described. A bone anchor for use in an orthopaedic procedure which comprises a bone fixation portion provided with a plurality of fixation openings, the fixation openings each being adapted to receive a fixation device for fixing the bone fixation portion to a bone of a patient, and a device attachment portion provided with a first attachment opening and a second attachment opening, the first attachment opening and the second attachment opening being connected to each other by a solid stabilizing portion and being adapted to receive an attachment device for attaching the device attachment portion to an orthopaedic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Regine Maurer
  • Patent number: 9034020
    Abstract: An implant for use for adjacently arranged bone plates is described, having a first bearing part, a second bearing part and a coupling element for tension-proof coupling of the first bearing part to the second bearing part. The bearing parts are curved concavely and comprise a plurality of ribs, which extend radially outwards from a central portion of the respective bearing part. The upper bearing part comprises a main body and an insert connected thereto by means of at least one connecting element. The connecting element is supported against the coupling element with regard to movement into a release position. The upper bearing part additionally has a deflectable fixing element, which is supported against the upper bearing part in the event of movement of the upper bearing part away from the lower bearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Regine Maurer, Reinhard Rübecamp
  • Patent number: 8992582
    Abstract: A plate system for bone fixation including intermaxillary fixation which has at least one plate with one opening and at least one bone screw for securing the plate to an adjacent bone and/or other anatomical structures (e.g., the gingival) with space maintained in between. The plate system provides a fixed connection at both the plate and the bone. A method for achieving fixation while maintaining space between the plate and bone includes placement of a spacer over the desired bone screw insertion point, followed by placement of the plate over the spacer so that the bone screw may be inserted through the plate while the spacer is held in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Manfred Schmuck, Karl Greiner, Markus Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20150018830
    Abstract: A fixation assembly for securing parts of a sternum has a first section having a first attachment structure for securing the first section to a first sternum part. The fixation assembly includes a second section having a second attachment structure for securing the second section to a second sternum part. A mating arrangement is provided defining a mating direction and a predetermined relative position between the first and second sections in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. At least one holding member is provided for detachably holding the first and second sections in an abutting relationship in the predetermined relative position. This may be achieved in one variant by simultaneous engagement of the first and second sections substantially along the mating direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck
  • Publication number: 20140364860
    Abstract: A bending instrument for a surgical element has two branches or arms which are pivotable relative to one another. A bending punch and two counter members are provided. The counter members interact with the bending punch to deform the surgical element. An actuator for the bending punch is adapted to convert an actuating movement of the branches or arms into a linear movement of the bending punch in a direction towards a region between the two counter members in order to bend the surgical element therebetween. First and second bending structures are provided for co-operatively bending the surgical element, wherein the bending instrument is configured to convert an actuating movement of the branches into a mating movement of the first and second bending structures towards one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck
  • Publication number: 20140249585
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical retaining instrument for bone plates. The retaining instrument comprises a carrying element and two plate retaining jaws arranged on the carrying element. The mutual distance of the plate retaining jaws can be changed in order to pick up or release a bone plate. Furthermore, an actuating device is provided, which has two arms, which can be moved relative to each other and which are designed to change the mutual distance of the plate retaining jaws. The carrying element is rotatably mounted relative to the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck, Uwe Koerner, Markus Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20140163576
    Abstract: A surgical distance adjusting assembly for a distractor has a base having a first connecting portion configured to hold a first bone attachment member and a carrier having a second connecting portion configured to hold a second bone attachment member. The base and the carrier are movable relative to each other, wherein the first and second connecting portions provide a releasable mechanical coupling to the first and second bone attachment members. The releasable mechanical coupling comprises a hook member at one or both of the first and second connecting portions and configured to engage the respective bone attachment member. Alternatively, the releasable mechanical coupling comprises an opening at one or both of the first and second connecting portions. The opening has a thread for a fixation screw configured to releasable couple the respective bone attachment member to the respective connecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Karl Greiner, Manfred Schmuck, Michael Volk
  • Publication number: 20130331656
    Abstract: A retractor (10) for use in a surgical intervention in the area of an eye socket is described. The retractor (10) comprises two planar retraction elements (26, 28), which are movable relative to each other between an insertion position with a first surface coverage and a retraction position with a second surface coverage AI, which is smaller than the first surface coverage. A spring element (20) provides pretensioning, which presses the retraction elements (26, 28) into the retraction position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knoepfle, Juergen Rettich
  • Publication number: 20130304074
    Abstract: A surgical device for bending an implant is described. The device comprises first and second mould members adapted to at least partially receive the implant between them, wherein the mould members are shaped in three dimensions in accordance with one or more cranio-facial features. The device further comprises an actuation mechanism adapted to convert a manually exerted force into an actuation force acting on at least one of the mould members to bend the implant received between the mould members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Christian Knoepfle
  • Publication number: 20130245368
    Abstract: A surgical power tool has a head portion having a tool with a tool axis, a shaft which is connected to the head portion for guiding the head portion to the surgical site and a handle portion for exerting pressure to the head portion along the tool axis. The shaft has a longitudinal axis that is angled with respect to the tool axis. A second handle is coupled to the shaft intermediate the head portion and a gripping portion of the shaft for applying a force along the tool axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Schmuck, Karl Greiner, Christian Knoepfle
  • Publication number: 20110054539
    Abstract: A bone anchor, orthopaedic device and orthopaedic system are described. A bone anchor for use in an orthopaedic procedure which comprises a bone fixation portion provided with a plurality of fixation openings, the fixation openings each being adapted to receive a fixation device for fixing the bone fixation portion to a bone of a patient, and a device attachment portion provided with a first attachment opening and a second attachment opening, the first attachment opening and the second attachment opening being connected to each other by a solid stabilizing portion and being adapted to receive an attachment device for attaching the device attachment portion to an orthopaedic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Regine Maurer