Patents by Inventor Christian Knopfle

Christian Knopfle 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: 11304736
    Abstract: A monolithic rib plate is described. The rib plate comprises multiple first screw orifices located substantially along a first line and connected by first bridges, multiple second screw orifices located laterally on one side of the first line and connected by second bridges, wherein one or more of the second bridges have a smaller cross-section than the first bridges, and third bridges, each connecting one of the second screw orifices with one of the first screw orifices. Also described is a rib plate system comprising the monolithic rib plate and at least one of one or more polyaxial locking screws, a tool for removing the second bridges, a tool for bending the monolithic rib plate, and one or more orifice bridge plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Stryker European Operations Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Viktor Kraft, Jochen Fink
  • Publication number: 20200375641
    Abstract: A monolithic rib plate is described. The rib plate comprises multiple first screw orifices located substantially along a first line and connected by first bridges, multiple second screw orifices located laterally on one side of the first line and connected by second bridges, wherein one or more of the second bridges have a smaller cross-section than the first bridges, and third bridges, each connecting one of the second screw orifices with one of the first screw orifices. Also described is a rib plate system comprising the monolithic rib plate and at least one of one or more polyaxial locking screws, a tool for removing the second bridges, a tool for bending the monolithic rib plate, and one or more orifice bridge plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Viktor Kraft, Jochen Fink
  • 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: 7927098
    Abstract: An orthodontic anchor device (10) for a surgical traction element is described. The anchor device includes a fixing device (12), which can be fixed in or to a bone in the mouth region, as well as a clamping device (18) coupled to the fixing device (12). The clamping device (18) has at least one locating region for the traction element as well as an oblique surface which can rotate relative to the locating region or which co-operates with a rotatable element. In order to produce a clamping force which fixes the traction element, a relative rotation takes place between the oblique surface and the rotatable element or between the oblique surface and the locating region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Knopfle
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100305619
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: STRYKER LEIBINGER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Regine Maurer, Reinhard Rübecamp
  • Patent number: 7682361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-retaining implant for fixing a bone cover or a bone fragment in an opening in a skull bone. The implant comprises a support element with an upper side and an lower side facing the bone cover. Arranged on the lower side of the support element is an extension, which supports a spike preferably extending parallel to the support element. The spike can be driven laterally into the bone cover or bone fragment by means of a driving-in device according to the invention. The driving-in device according to the invention comprises a receiving element for the implant. A driving-in mechanism for driving the implant into the bone cover or bone fragment can be coupled with the receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Karl Greiner, Thorsten Frank, Hans-Urs Eckerle
  • Patent number: 7473257
    Abstract: Bending pliers are described for perforated bone plates with two jaws movable relative to one another. A receiving jaw has two spaced receptacles for insertion into holes of a bone plate to be received. A pressure-exerting jaw comprises a pressure-exerting element which, when the bending pliers are actuated, cooperates with a received bone plate in a region between the two receptacles. The receptacles have an outside diameter which is variable along their axial extent in order to cooperate, preferably in a form-fitting manner, with different hole types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knöpfle, Frank Thorsten
  • Patent number: 7350643
    Abstract: A keeping-ready device for bone screws and a keeping-ready system comprising this keeping-ready device are described. The keeping-ready device has a surface, in which a plurality of orifices for accommodating the bone screws is provided. The keeping-ready device allows the bone screws to be kept ready countersunk in relation to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Felix Capanni, Christian Knopfle
  • Patent number: 7111411
    Abstract: A measuring device for bone screw types of different shaft diameters is described. This measuring device has multiple receiving grooves for bone screws in a surface or an area near the surface. In the area of each receiving groove a length measuring scale, which is associated with one or more of the different bone screw types, is arranged. Also, for each of the receiving grooves a limit stop to work with a received bone screw is provided. The receiving grooves and/or the associated limit stops have a selectivity with respect to the shaft diameter of the bone screw types which can be received in the individual receiving grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Stryker Leibinger GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Knopfle, Gregg Diamond
  • Publication number: 20060069389
    Abstract: An orthodontic anchor device (10) for a surgical traction element is described. The anchor device comprises a fixing device (12), which can be fixed in or to a bone in the mouth region, as well as a clamping device (18) coupled to the fixing device (12). The clamping device (18) has at least one locating region for the traction element as well as an oblique surface which can rotate relative to the locating region or which co-operates with a rotatable element. In order to produce a clamping force which fixes the traction element, a relative rotation takes place between the oblique surface and the rotatable element or between the oblique surface and the locating region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventor: Christian Knopfle
  • Publication number: 20060052789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-retaining implant for fixing a bone cover or a bone fragment in an opening in a skull bone. The implant comprises a support element with an upper side and an lower side facing the bone cover. Arranged on the lower side of the support element is an extension, which supports a spike preferably extending parallel to the support element. The spike can be driven laterally into the bone cover or bone fragment by means of a driving-in device according to the invention. The driving-in device according to the invention comprises a receiving element for the implant. A driving-in mechanism for driving the implant into the bone cover or bone fragment can be coupled with the receiving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Christian Knopfle, Karl Greiner, Thorsten Frank, Hans-Urs Eckerle
  • Publication number: 20040193173
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeve system for use in combination with a plurality of different types of sleeve for surgical operations, particularly in the central region of the face. Said sleeve system comprises a sleeve handle, which is constructed for the purpose of mounting different types of sleeve, and a first arrangement for interacting with a mounted sleeve of a first type, and also a second arrangement for interacting with a mounted sleeve of a second type. The first arrangement prevents rotation of a sleeve of the first type, relative to the handle, and the second arrangement makes possible guided rotation of a mounted sleeve of the second type, relative to said handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Knopfle, Reinhard Rubecamp, Gregg Diamond
  • Publication number: 20040176780
    Abstract: Bending pliers are described for perforated bone plates with two jaws movable relative to one another. A receiving jaw has two spaced receptacles for insertion into holes of a bone plate to be received. A pressure-exerting jaw comprises a pressure-exerting element which, when the bending pliers are actuated, cooperates with a received bone plate in a region between the two receptacles. The receptacles have an outside diameter which is variable along their axial extent in order to cooperate, preferably in a form-fitting manner, with different hole types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Knopfle, Frank Thorsten
  • Publication number: 20040173628
    Abstract: A keeping-ready device for bone screws and a keeping-ready system comprising this keeping-ready device are described. The keeping-ready device has a surface, in which a plurality of orifices for accommodating the bone screws is provided. The keeping-ready device allows the bone screws to be kept ready countersunk in relation to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Felix Capanni, Christian Knopfle
  • Publication number: 20040176770
    Abstract: A measuring device for bone screw types of different shaft diameters is described. This measuring device has multiple receiving grooves for bone screws in a surface or an area near the surface. In the area of each receiving groove a length measuring scale, which is associated with one or more of the different bone screw types, is arranged. Also, for each of the receiving grooves a limit stop to work with a received bone screw is provided. The receiving grooves and/or the associated limit stops have a selectivity with respect to the shaft diameter of the bone screw types which can be received in the individual receiving grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Christian Knopfle, Gregg Diamond
  • Publication number: 20020156477
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-retaining implant for fixing a bone cover or a bone fragment in an opening in a skull bone. The implant comprises a support element with an upper side and an lower side facing the bone cover. Arranged on the lower side of the support element is an extension, which supports a spike preferably extending parallel to the support element. The spike can be driven laterally into the bone cover or bone fragment by means of a driving-in device according to the invention. The driving-in device according to the invention comprises a receiving element for the implant. A driving-in mechanism for driving the implant into the bone cover or bone fragment can be coupled with the receiving element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Christian Knopfle, Karl Greiner, Thorsten Frank, Hans-Urs Eckerle