Patents by Inventor Daniel Kärcher

Daniel Kärcher 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: 12678218
    Abstract: An electrically insulated shaft (30) of a microinvasive instrument or for a microinvasive instrument includes an electrically conductive shaft component (40) with an outer surface (44) and an insulation tube (50) formed of an electrically insulating material, which encloses the shaft component (40) and covers the outer surface (44) of the shaft component (40). The insulation tube (50) is melted or welded onto the outer surface (44) of the shaft component (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2026
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Blocher, Sven Axel Grüner, Judith Holzer, Daniel Kärcher, Dominik Längle, Robin Merz, Janosz Schneider, Sven Schneider, Jochen Stefan, Tobias Unger
  • Publication number: 20260174456
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter device and a disassemblable medical shaft instrument equipped therewith, a method for cleaning the disassemblable medical shaft instrument and a method for assembling the adapter device to provide the disassemblable medical shaft instrument. The adapter device (10) is designed for arrangement in a disassemblable medical shaft instrument (1) comprising a shaft (2), a transmission rod (40) that can move in the shaft (2) and a handling apparatus (3) comprising a housing part (30) and an actuating part (31) which is movable relative to the housing part (30). The adapter device (10) has a transmission adapter (5) designed for releasably coupling to the actuating part (31) and to the transmission rod (40), and an adapter sleeve (6) designed for releasably coupling to the shaft (2) and the housing part (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2025
    Publication date: June 25, 2026
    Inventors: Monja ILKA, Daniel KÄRCHER, Robin MERZ, Claus KRAMER, Michael EGLE
  • Publication number: 20260157789
    Abstract: A force transmission element, in particular a pull rod for an endoscopic instrument, has: a potential-free rod configured for force transmission, which has at least one local clearance; and an electrode which extends over an outer surface of the clearance and in the axial direction along the clearance, wherein the electrode is in contact with an electrical conductor which extends within the rod. One end, a proximal end, of the rod has an electrically insulated positive-connection element which is configured to engage with a bearing element of a surgical instrument. Furthermore, the pull rod for an endoscopic instrument relates to a surgical instrument comprising such a force transmission element and to a method for producing such a force transmission element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2025
    Publication date: June 11, 2026
    Inventors: Robin MERZ, Benedikt HAHN, Nico MOOSMANN, Daniel KÄRCHER
  • Publication number: 20260151153
    Abstract: A coupling device for a surgical instrument, a handle device for it, and corresponding assembly and disassembly methods. The device has a force transmission element defining a longitudinal axis with an offset connection element at its proximal end, and a handle part movable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Having a coupling element with a recess for receiving the connection element and a slider element which cooperates with the coupling element and is configured to cooperate with the movable handle part and to move in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Receiving in a guide receptacle of the slider element such that it can move along a coupling axis, and the recess in the coupling element corresponds to the coupling axis. Having a notch connected to the recess. The coupling element can move along the coupling axis between at least one release position and one engaging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Janosz SCHNEIDER, Daniel KÄRCHER, Robin MERZ, Sven SCHNEIDER, Tobias UNGER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Judith PÖNISCH
  • Patent number: 12636032
    Abstract: A medical instrument (1) includes a hollow rod (2), at the distal end (3) of which a tool carrier (4) can be secured by a first fastening mechanism (5), and the proximal end (6) of which can be secured to an operating unit (8) by a second fastening mechanism (7). In order to create a medical instrument (1) of which the fastening mechanism (5, 7) for the detachable rod connections is easy to handle during manufacture and assembly while ensuring a secure hold, it is proposed that at least the first fastening mechanism (5) for connecting the tool carrier (4) to the distal end (3) of the rod (2) is configured as a mechanical latching connection having at least one resilient element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Janosz Schneider, Daniel Kärcher, Robin Merz, Sven Schneider, Tobias Unger, Dominik Längle, Judith Pönisch
  • Publication number: 20260108266
    Abstract: A surgical instrument has a hollow shaft defining a longitudinal axis, a handle arranged at the proximal end of the shaft, and a force-transmission element mounted in the shaft and connected to a tool on the distal side and to the handle on the proximal side. The surgical instrument has a coupling device for releasably connecting the shaft and handle, the coupling device being an engaging device with an engaging element that moves between an engaging position wherein it engages with at least one recess at the proximal end of the shaft and a release position wherein it does not engage with the recess. The engaging element has at least one wedge-like engaging section with an engaging plane, the length corresponding to a length of the recess along the longitudinal axis so that the engaging section is received in the recess up to the engaging plane in the engaging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Inventors: Janosz SCHNEIDER, Daniel KÄRCHER, Robin MERZ, Sven SCHNEIDER, Tobias UNGER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Judith PÖNISCH
  • Publication number: 20260033882
    Abstract: A connection apparatus for a surgical instrument, having an instrument base, a receiving device arranged at a shaft opening of the instrument base. Further having a first shape-coding dimension and a second shape-coding dimension, and a shaft connection element which is configured to connect an accessory shaft to the instrument base. The shaft connection element is configured as a hollow body. The shaft connection element has a first shape-coding dimension and a second shape-coding dimension. The first and second shape-coding dimensions correspond to the first and second shape-coding dimensions of the receiving device when coupled to the instrument base in an assembled state, and the shaft connection element cannot be assembled with the instrument base if the first and/or second shape-coding dimensions of the shaft connection element and the receiving device do not correspond. The connection apparatus also relates to a surgical instrument with such a connection apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Inventors: Daniel KÄRCHER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Robin MERZ, Sven SCHNEIDER
  • Publication number: 20250380979
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting device and to a monopolar cable for surgical instruments operable in a monopolar and bipolar manner, especially for high-frequency surgery, and a corresponding surgical instrument and surgical system. An electrical terminal of the connecting device is designed to be connectable either to a monopolar cable for monopolar operation or to a bipolar cable for bipolar operation. A first contact and a second contact of the electrical terminal are electrically connected to an accessory coupling of the connecting device and are designed with insulation such that an accessory coupled by the accessory coupling is operable either in a monopolar or bipolar manner via the two contacts. The present invention further relates to a monopolar cable for such a connecting device, to a surgical instrument comprising such a connecting device and to a surgical system comprising such a surgical instrument and such a monopolar cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2025
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Applicant: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Tobias Unger, Daniel Kärcher
  • Patent number: 12414812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting device and to a monopolar cable for surgical instruments operable in a monopolar and bipolar manner, especially for high-frequency surgery, and a corresponding surgical instrument and surgical system. An electrical terminal of the connecting device is designed to be connectable either to a monopolar cable for monopolar operation or to a bipolar cable for bipolar operation. A first contact and a second contact of the electrical terminal are electrically connected to an accessory coupling of the connecting device and are designed with insulation such that an accessory coupled by the accessory coupling is operable either in a monopolar or bipolar manner via the two contacts. The present invention further relates to a monopolar cable for such a connecting device, to a surgical instrument comprising such a connecting device and to a surgical system comprising such a surgical instrument and such a monopolar cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2025
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co KG
    Inventors: Daniel Kärcher, Jochen Stefan, Tobias Unger
  • Patent number: 12390091
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is disclosed that includes an elongate shaft and an instrument insert releasably connected to a distal end portion of the shaft, the distal end portion of the shaft being in the form of a sleeve and a proximal end region of a base of the instrument insert being in the form of a coupling shaft, or the distal end portion of the shaft being in the form of a coupling shaft and a proximal end region of a base of the instrument insert being in the form of a sleeve, with the coupling shaft being releasably held in the sleeve and the sleeve and/or the coupling shaft at least in portions having a cross-sectional profile which is reversibly changeable for detaching the coupling shaft from the sleeve. The invention also relates to a shaft for an endoscopic instrument, and to an instrument insert for an endoscopic instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2025
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Janosz Schneider, Daniel Kärcher, Robin Merz, Sven Schneider, Tobias Unger, Dominik Längle, Judith Holzer
  • Publication number: 20250057558
    Abstract: A medical instrument (1) includes a hollow rod (2), at the distal end (3) of which a tool carrier (4) can be secured by a first fastening mechanism (5), and the proximal end (6) of which can be secured to an operating unit (8) by a second fastening mechanism (7). In order to create a medical instrument (1) of which the fastening mechanism (5, 7) for the detachable rod connections is easy to handle during manufacture and assembly while ensuring a secure hold, it is proposed that at least the first fastening mechanism (5) for connecting the tool carrier (4) to the distal end (3) of the rod (2) is configured as a mechanical latching connection having at least one resilient element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Janosz SCHNEIDER, Daniel KÄRCHER, Robin MERZ, Sven SCHNEIDER, Tobias UNGER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Judith PÖNISCH
  • Publication number: 20240285336
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a force transmission element with combined mechanical support and electrical isolation, as well as a surgical instrument comprising the force transmission element and a method for manufacturing the force transmission element. A rod of the force transmission element has at least one recess and insulation extends at least along the recess. A sleeve of the force transmission element has an embossment that extends at least in sections into the recess and which is designed to mesh with a securing element of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Judith PÖNISCH, Daniel KÄRCHER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Robin MERZ, Janosz SCHNEIDER, Sven SCHNEIDER, Tobias UNGER
  • Patent number: 12064132
    Abstract: A shaft according to the application for an endoscopic instrument has a connecting section arranged in a distal end region of the shaft, with a connecting device for connection, in particular in the manner of a bayonet connection, with a replaceable working insert being formed at said connecting section, the connecting device having a first engagement structure for a connection engagement of an engagement element of a working insert of a first type, and the connecting device having a second engagement structure for a connection engagement of an engagement element of a working insert of a second type, wherein the first and the second engagement structures are arranged and/or formed differently. The application also relates to an endoscopic instrument and an endoscopic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Kärcher, Jochen Stefan, Tobias Unger
  • Patent number: 11925375
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having an elongated shaft, a movable tool at a distal end of the shaft, a handle with a movable grip part at a proximal end of the shaft, and a force transmission element which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the instrument and is operatively connected to the movable grip part and to the tool such that an actuation of the movable grip part is converted into a movement of the tool. The instrument has a spring assembly that is arranged on the handle and has at least one leg spring, which has at least one winding and two legs, and a pin, wherein the at least one winding extends about the pin. When the movable grip part is actuated, a force is applied to at least one of the legs of the leg spring, said force reducing the friction between the winding and the pin such that the leg spring can be rotated about the pin and the force transmission element and the tool can be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Janosz Schneider, Jochen Stefan, Daniel Kärcher, Robin Merz, Sven Axel Grüner, Martin Blocher, Sven Schneider, Tobias Unger, Dominik Längle, Judith Holzer, Sebastian Wagner
  • Patent number: 11779695
    Abstract: An instrument configured for performing a surgery includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a tube connecting the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. A fluid fitting includes an inlet configured for receiving flow of an irrigating fluid into the instrument and at least two exits configured for guiding the flow of the irrigating fluid out of the instrument. A first exit is configured to allow the irrigating fluid to flow towards the distal end portion of the instrument and a second exit is configured to allow the irrigating fluid to flow towards the proximal end portion of the tube. A size of the first exit is larger than a size of the second exit to enable greater flow towards the distal end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Yann Thouément, Régis Besse, Daniel Kärcher
  • Patent number: 11744442
    Abstract: An endoscope includes an endoscope shaft (3), which has a cylindrical shaft tube (4), and an endoscope head (2), which is arranged at a proximal end of the endoscope shaft (3). A distal end region (11) of the endoscope head (2), has a cylindrical interior (13) with a peripheral groove (15). The shaft tube (4) is inserted into the cylindrical interior (13) and folded into the peripheral groove (15). The groove (15) is not rotationally symmetrical. An endoscope head and a method for producing an endoscope are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Kärcher, Claus Kramer
  • Patent number: 11730503
    Abstract: A medical instrument includes a hollow shaft (2) with a proximal end (3) connected to a handle (4) and a distal end (5) with a tool (6) arranged with one jaw part (8) pivotable relative to another jaw part (7). A distal end region of the shaft as a tool tip (10) deflects relative to a longitudinal axis (9) via an axially displaceable first actuation element (11) connected to the handle. The pivotable jaw part is adjustable via a second actuation element (13) mounted axially displaceably in the hollow shaft and connected to the handle. The first actuation element and the second actuation element are parallel to each other in the longitudinal axis direction of the shaft and mounted to be guided on each other. One of the two actuation elements is mounted on the inner side. The mutual axial mounting is effected via a pin-and-slot control (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Daniel Kärcher
  • Publication number: 20230210548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having an elongated shaft, a movable tool at a distal end of the shaft, a handle with a movable grip part at a proximal end of the shaft, and a force transmission element which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the instrument and is operatively connected to the movable grip part and to the tool such that an actuation of the movable grip part is converted into a movement of the tool. The instrument has a spring assembly that is arranged on the handle and has at least one leg spring, which has at least one winding and two legs, and a pin, wherein the at least one winding extends about the pin. When the movable grip part is actuated, a force is applied to at least one of the legs of the leg spring, said force reducing the friction between the winding and the pin such that the leg spring can be rotated about the pin and the force transmission element and the tool can be moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Janosz Schneider, Jochen Stefan, Daniel Kärcher, Robin Merz, Sven Axel Grüner, Martin Blocher, Sven Schneider, Tobias Unger, Dominik Längle, Judith Holzer, Sebastian Wagner
  • Publication number: 20220369903
    Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is disclosed that includes an elongate shaft and an instrument insert releasably connected to a distal end portion of the shaft, the distal end portion of the shaft being in the form of a sleeve and a proximal end region of a base of the instrument insert being in the form of a coupling shaft, or the distal end portion of the shaft being in the form of a coupling shaft and a proximal end region of a base of the instrument insert being in the form of a sleeve, with the coupling shaft being releasably held in the sleeve and the sleeve and/or the coupling shaft at least in portions having a cross-sectional profile which is reversibly changeable for detaching the coupling shaft from the sleeve. The invention also relates to a shaft for an endoscopic instrument, and to an instrument insert for an endoscopic instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: KARL STORZ SE & Co KG
    Inventors: Janosz Schneider, Daniel Kärcher, Robin Merz, Sven Schneider, Tobias Unger, Dominik Längle, Judith Holzer
  • Publication number: 20220192772
    Abstract: A manipulation device (14) for a microinvasive medical instrument (10) comprises a first grip member (22) and a second grip member (40), that are movable relative to each other, an irrigation port (90) for receiving an irrigation liquid for cleaning the manipulation device (14) between two uses, and an irrigation channel (92, 94, 96, 98) that connects the irrigation port (90) to one or more outlets (93, 95, 33, 65). The irrigation channel (92, 94, 96, 98) is arranged in the first grip member (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: KARL STORZ SE & Co KG
    Inventors: Martin Blocher, Sven Axel Grüner, Judith Holzer, Daniel Kärcher, Dominik Längle, Robin Merz, Janosz Schneider, Sven Schneider, Jochen Stefan, Tobias Unger