Patents by Inventor Daniel Ulmschneider
Daniel Ulmschneider 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).
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Publication number: 20210378496Abstract: The present application relates to an endoscope apparatus including a shaft component with a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft component is arranged in an outer shaft. The endoscopy apparatus includes an image capture device having an objective lens for generating a real image and an image sensor for capturing the image and generating an image signal. The endoscopy apparatus includes a pivot joint device which couples the image capture device to the shaft component in a manner pivotable about two orthogonal axes but rigid in respect of a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft component. The endoscopy apparatus includes a pivot control device to set a pivot position of the image capture device relative to the shaft component which depends on the rotational position of the image capture device and the shaft component relative to the outer shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Markus KUPFERSCHMID, Daniel ULMSCHNEIDER, Andreas HENI, Jonas FORSTER
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Publication number: 20210271330Abstract: A keypad includes a support, a snap disk on a first side of the support transformable from a released state to a loaded state, a cover forming a seal over the first side, a pocket in the cover, a magnet and a plunger disposed in the pocket, the plunger adapted to engage and transform the snap disk to the loaded state, a magnetic field sensor on a second side of the support, the second side opposite the first side and logic circuitry adapted to obtain a value of a strength of a magnetic field from the sensor, compare the value against a predetermined threshold value that corresponds at least approximately to the strength of a magnetic field, and when the plunger has transformed the snap disk to the loaded state and the value reaches or exceeds the threshold value, output a signal indicating that a key press occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Pascal Heni, Daniel Ulmschneider, Markus Kupferschmid
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Patent number: 11102454Abstract: An image relaying device comprises a shaft, an objective lens at a distal end of the shaft, an optically transparent window region in a proximal end region of the image relaying device, an optical system in the shaft, the optical system relaying an image produced by the objective lens to the proximal end region in a way that the relayed image can be captured through the window region. The optical system's optical axis at the window region is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the optical system's optical axis in the shaft. An optical instrument makes use of a plurality of these image relaying devices and a corresponding plurality of image sensors where the optical path length of each image relaying device may be independently adjusted to correct for optical inconsistencies in the elements of each relaying device.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co KGInventors: Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Andreas Heni, Lawrence Natusch
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Patent number: 11026562Abstract: An endoscope has an elongate shaft, with a housing that is arranged in the endoscope and has a fluid-tight embodiment and a sensor for capturing a physical measurement variable, the sensor being arranged in the shaft. The sensor is situated outside of the fluid-tight housing. A signal line extends from the sensor to a coupling point at the fluid-tight housing. The coupling point connects the signal line to an evaluation unit that is arranged in an interior of the housing for the purposes of evaluating the measurement signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KGInventor: Daniel Ulmschneider
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Publication number: 20210068644Abstract: An apparatus for heat dissipation is provided comprising a heat source, a heat sink and a heat conducting element, wherein the heat conducting element conducts heat energy from the heat source to the heat sink along a heat conducting path, and wherein the heat conducting element is arranged in such a way on the heat source and the heat sink and is configured to physically change in such a way with increasing temperature of the heat conducting element that a) a first cross-sectional area between the heat source and the heat conducting element and/or a second cross-sectional area between the heat conducting element of the heat sink increases, and/or b) a length of the heat conducting path shortens. Further, a video endoscope having such an apparatus and a use of such an apparatus are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Andreas HENI, Markus KUPFERSCHMID, Daniel ULMSCHNEIDER, Jonas FORSTER
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Publication number: 20200397237Abstract: A medical instrument for providing access to the interior of the body comprises a shaft having an elongated base body and a handle. The base body extends between a distal end and a proximal end of the shaft. The handle is coupled to the base body of the shaft at the proximal end. The shaft defines at least a first channel and a second channel that extend through the shaft. The first channel provides a passage for surgical instruments through the shaft. The second channel is adapted to accommodate an observation optics. The second channel is adjacent to at least one secondary channel that is connected to the second channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Daniel ULMSCHNEIDER, Andreas LIMBERGER, Christian CZUPALLA, Kamilla KÖNIG-URBAN
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Publication number: 20200397232Abstract: A video endoscope that includes a handle with a housing and an interface portion rotatably mounted relative to the housing, and an elongate shaft with one or more electronic image sensors, wherein a proximal end section of the shaft is detachably connected to the interface portion of the handle, where the interface portion includes a first connector element electrically connected to an electric transmission element of the interface portion and the shaft includes a second connector element electrically connected to the one or more electronic image sensors, the first and second connector elements co-operating to form a detachable electrical connection, and where the handle includes an electrical connection assembly arranged at an exterior of the interface portion forming an electrical connection to at least one stationary electric and/or electronic component of the handle in a multiplicity of rotational positions of the interface portion relative to the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: KARL STORZ SE & Co KGInventors: Daniel Ulmschneider, Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Lawrence Natusch
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Publication number: 20200375445Abstract: An endoscope according to the technology, especially a mediastinoscope, comprises an elongated shaft and a head piece situated at a proximal end section of the shaft, wherein a heat source is arranged in the head piece, wherein at least one heat pipe extends inside the shaft, wherein a proximal end section of the at least one heat pipe is thermally coupled to the heat source and wherein the endoscope comprises an optical system which is closed by a cover glass arranged in a distal end section of the shaft. The heat source is a light source for generating an illumination radiation. The at least one heat pipe extends in the distal direction as far as the distal end section of the shaft, and at least one distal end section of the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the distal end section of the shaft. The technology also relates to a method for operating an endoscope and a method for producing an endoscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Daniel ULMSCHNEIDER, Christian CZUPALLA
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Publication number: 20200375437Abstract: A video endoscope, in particular a video mediastinoscope, comprises an elongate rigid shaft and a handle detachably attached to a proximal end section of the shaft, wherein the shaft comprises an optics shaft comprising an imaging optics and an electronic image sensor, wherein the optics shaft and a plug connector housing arranged at a proximal end of the optics shaft form a hermetically sealed unit enclosing the imaging optics and the image sensor, and wherein the handle comprises a handle housing in which an electronics unit is accommodated, wherein the electronics unit is hermetically sealed. The invention also relates to a method for configuring a video endoscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: KARL STORZ SE & Co KGInventors: Lawrence Geafer, Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider
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Patent number: 10791322Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a stereo image includes a first objective for producing a first image, a second eye objective for producing a second eye image, a first viewing direction device rotatable about a first axis assigned the first objective, and a second viewing direction device rotatable about a second axis assigned the second objective. The viewing direction of the apparatus is rotatable by simultaneous rotation of the first and second viewing direction devices. The first objective or part is movable in a translational fashion. A cam mechanism is provided and embodied to couple a rotation of the first viewing direction device to a translational movement of the first objective or part.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Lawrence Natusch, Daniel Ulmschneider
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Publication number: 20200228787Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a stereo image includes a first objective for producing a first image, a second eye objective for producing a second eye image, a first viewing direction device rotatable about a first axis assigned the first objective, and a second viewing direction device rotatable about a second axis assigned the second objective. The viewing direction of the apparatus is rotatable by simultaneous rotation of the first and second viewing direction devices. The first objective or part is movable in a translational fashion. A cam mechanism is provided and embodied to couple a rotation of the first viewing direction device to a translational movement of the first objective or part.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Lawrence Natusch, Daniel Ulmschneider
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Patent number: 10537232Abstract: An endoscope or exoscope having a shaft and at least one objective and at least one electronic image recorder for recording an image of an object field, wherein the objective and image recorder are arranged in a distal end region of the endoscope or exoscope, and includes at least one cable, routed within the endoscope or exoscope, for supply of and/or image transmission from the electronic image recorder, wherein the electronic image recorder includes an optical unit, which is rotatable about a first axis of rotation identical or approximately parallel to a direction of view of the scope, and on which the cable is connected and can be wound on a circumferential surface of the optical unit, and wherein the distal end region includes a cavity, in which storage for holding a section of the cable is held.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Christian Graf, Peter Schwarz, Kevin Pilz
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Patent number: 10477190Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging scope, a controller, a camera, and a processor. The imaging scope is selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to a horizon plane. The imaging scope has at least three optical channels, each including a respective objective that captures light. The objectives are positioned such that respective viewing direction axes of the optical channels extend at least substantially parallel to one another. The controller activates a pair of optical channels that is at least as parallel relative to the horizon plane as any other pair of optical channels. The camera generates a first image representative of light captured by a first optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels, and a second image representative of light captured by a second optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels. The processor generates a 3D image using the first and second images.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignees: Karl Storz Imaging, Inc., Karl Storz SE & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Lawrence Natusch, George E. Duckett, III
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Patent number: 10122897Abstract: A device for recording an image of an object field on a human or animal body from outside of the body including a shaft and an observation optical system, arranged at a distal end of the shaft, for recording the image of the object field, wherein the observation optical system is embodied as a stereo optical system including an electronic image recorder for recording a stereo image of the object field and wherein the device includes an optical unit, which includes the observation optical system and is rotatable about a first axis of rotation approximately parallel to a direction of view of the observation optical system.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider
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Publication number: 20180296072Abstract: An endoscope has an elongate shaft, with a housing that is arranged in the endoscope and has a fluid-tight embodiment and a sensor for capturing a physical measurement variable, the sensor being arranged in the shaft. The sensor is situated outside of the fluid-tight housing. A signal line extends from the sensor to a coupling point at the fluid-tight housing. The coupling point connects the signal line to an evaluation unit that is arranged in an interior of the housing for the purposes of evaluating the measurement signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventor: Daniel Ulmschneider
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Publication number: 20180270466Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging scope, a controller, a camera, and a processor. The imaging scope is selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to a horizon plane. The imaging scope has at least three optical channels, each including a respective objective that captures light. The objectives are positioned such that respective viewing direction axes of the optical channels extend at least substantially parallel to one another. The controller activates a pair of optical channels that is at least as parallel relative to the horizon plane as any other pair of optical channels. The camera generates a first image representative of light captured by a first optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels, and a second image representative of light captured by a second optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels. The processor generates a 3D image using the first and second images.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2017Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Lawrence Natusch, George E. Duckett III
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Publication number: 20180270453Abstract: An image relaying device comprises a shaft, an objective lens at a distal end of the shaft, an optically transparent window region in a proximal end region of the image relaying device, an optical system in the shaft, the optical system relaying an image produced by the objective lens to the proximal end region in a way that the relayed image can be captured through the window region. The optical system's optical axis at the window region is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the optical system's optical axis in the shaft. An optical instrument makes use of a plurality of these image relaying devices and a corresponding plurality of image sensors where the optical path length of each image relaying device may be independently adjusted to correct for optical inconsistencies in the elements of each relaying device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: KARL STORZ SE & Co KGInventors: Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Andreas Heni, Lawrence Natusch
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Publication number: 20180241987Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a stereo image includes a first objective for producing a first image, a second eye objective for producing a second eye image, a first viewing direction device rotatable about a first axis assigned the first objective, and a second viewing direction device rotatable about a second axis assigned the second objective. The viewing direction of the apparatus is rotatable by simultaneous rotation of the first and second viewing direction devices. The first objective or part is movable in a translational fashion. A cam mechanism is provided and embodied to couple a rotation of the first viewing direction device to a translational movement of the first objective or part.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Andreas Heni, Markus Kupferschmid, Lawrence Natusch, Daniel Ulmschneider
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Patent number: 9757019Abstract: An optical medical instrument, in particular an endoscope or exoscope, has an elongate tubular shaft, a heat source generating lost heat, and a heat pipe which extends inside the shaft, in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, and has a distal heat pipe end and a proximal heat pipe end, wherein the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the heat source in order to collect heat from the latter and remove the heat from the heat source. Between the distal heat pipe end and the proximal heat pipe end, the heat pipe is coupled thermally conductively and two-dimensionally to the shaft over at least a partial length of the heat pipe and over at least a partial circumference of the heat pipe, in order to remove heat from the heat pipe, over at least a partial length and over at least a partial circumference of the shaft, to the environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Kevin Pilz, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Andreas Heni
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Publication number: 20150335233Abstract: An optical medical instrument, in particular an endoscope or exoscope, has an elongate tubular shaft, a heat source generating lost heat, and a heat pipe which extends inside the shaft, in the longitudinal direction of the shaft, and has a distal heat pipe end and a proximal heat pipe end, wherein the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the heat source in order to collect heat from the latter and remove the heat from the heat source. Between the distal heat pipe end and the proximal heat pipe end, the heat pipe is coupled thermally conductively and two-dimensionally to the shaft over at least a partial length of the heat pipe and over at least a partial circumference of the heat pipe, in order to remove heat from the heat pipe, over at least a partial length and over at least a partial circumference of the shaft, to the environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Kevin Pilz, Markus Kupferschmid, Daniel Ulmschneider, Andreas Heni