Patents by Inventor Dieter Weisshaupt

Dieter Weisshaupt 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: 8133227
    Abstract: In a sternum closure device for fixing two sternum portions to be connected to one another, comprising an inner contact element for abutment on the inner surface of the sternum, at least one clamping element fixed to this contact element and projecting transversely from it and at least one outer contact element for abutment on the outer side of the sternum which can be clamped against the inner contact element by means of the clamping element guided through the intermediate space between the sternum portions, it is suggested in order to hinder the separation of the sternum as little as possible during any renewed operation that the inner contact element consist of two parts which are separate from one another and each of which is designed to abut on one of the two sternum portions and that connecting means be provided for the releasable connection of the two parts arranged next to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Pedro Morales, Dieter Weisshaupt, Theodor Lutze, Manfred Dworschak
  • Publication number: 20120016402
    Abstract: In order to improve a sliding shaft for a surgical sliding shaft instrument, wherein the sliding shaft defines a longitudinal direction and comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part which are arranged such that they are displaceable relative to each other, wherein said first shaft part carries a first tool element and said second shaft part carries a second tool element, wherein the second shaft part has a cut material collector with an inlet opening which is bounded by the second tool part and extends therefrom in the proximal direction, such that the cut material collector can be emptied in a simple and rapid manner, it is proposed that the cut material collector should have at least one emptying opening which is formed on the proximal side of the inlet opening and that the at least one emptying opening should be open in a lateral emptying direction which is oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction and parallel or substantially parallel
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weisshaupt, Konstantin Faulhaber, Peter Schulz, Markus Nesper
  • Publication number: 20120016401
    Abstract: In order to improve a sliding shaft for a surgical sliding shaft instrument, wherein the sliding shaft comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part which are arranged such as to be displaceable relative to each other and also a guidance device for guiding a movement of the second shaft part relative to the first shaft part, wherein said first shaft part carries a first tool element and said second shaft part carries a second tool element, wherein said first and second tool elements cooperate and/or abut each other in a working position and are spaced from each other in a position that is deflected from the working position or are spaced further from each other than in the working position, wherein the guidance device comprises at least one first guide element which is arranged on the first shaft part and at least one second guide element which cooperates with the at least one first guide element and is arranged on the second shaft part, wherein said guide elements interlock in shape-fitting manner for
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Konstantin Faulhaber, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 8096999
    Abstract: A bone plate fixing device comprises a first bone contacting element with a rod-shaped connecting member and a second bone contacting element displaceable on the connecting member. A surgical instrument for applying the bone plate fixing device comprises a first tool element positionable on the second bone contacting element, and a second tool element removable from the first tool element, with a transportation device for stepwise transportation of the connecting member with the second tool element. The second tool element has toothing comprising a plurality of teeth forming several receptacles for engaging toothing of the connecting member. The toothing of the connecting member may be on a projection protruding from the connecting member. The toothing of the second tool element may have a pitch which corresponds to an integral multiple of a pitch of the toothing of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aesculap AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Nesper, Thomas Pleil, Klaus-Dieter Steinhilper, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Publication number: 20120004685
    Abstract: In a surgical instrument with two legs movable relative to each other, a tip inserted in a receiving space at the distal end of the leg being exchangeably held at the free end of the legs, with a fixing device for releasable fixation to the leg, the fixing device comprising on one of the two parts two locking arms which are arranged next to each other and are elastically bendable apart, and comprising on the other one of the two parts a locking projection extending into the leg transversely to the direction of insertion of the tip, the locking projection, when inserting the tip into the receiving space of the leg, engaging between the two locking arms, bending these elastically apart, and at the end of the inserting movement, entering a recess on the inner side of the locking arms, so that the locking arms approach each other again after they have been elastically bent apart, in order to simplify the structure and, in particular, to reduce soiling and risk of injury, it is proposed that the receiving space wi
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Karl-Ernst Kienzle, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 8079468
    Abstract: In order to improve a surgical screw container comprising a receiving part and a closure part mounted thereon so as to be movable, wherein the receiving part has at least two screw receptacles for accommodating at least two bone screws, wherein the closure part can be brought relative to the receiving part into at least one closure position, in which none of the screw receptacles is accessible for the introduction or removal of a bone screw, such that any loss of screws from the screw container can be practically ruled out it is suggested that the closure part can be brought from the at least one closure position into at least two removal positions, in each of which only a single screw receptacle is accessible for the introduction or removal of a single bone screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Dieter Weisshaupt, Markus Nesper
  • Publication number: 20110306979
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handling part and a tool part that encompasses at least one movably mounted tool which is actuated via a force-transmitting and/or actuating mechanism. Said force-transmitting and/or actuating mechanism is operated from the handling part and is provided with a fluid-operated drive unit. In order to improve said surgical instrument such that the same can be operated with as much sensitivity as possible, the movably mounted tool can be impinged upon a first acutation force in a first driven position while being impinged upon by at least one second actuation force in a least one second driven position with the aid of the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Peter Schulz, Dieter Weisshaupt, Markus Nesper, Konstantin Faulhaber, Theodor Lutze
  • Patent number: 8048130
    Abstract: An implant is provided for fixing neighboring bone plates of the cranial bone in a simple and reliable manner. The implant comprises an outer bearing element for covering a spacing gap between the bone plates, which sits on outer surfaces of the bone plates. The outer bearing element has a first pair of outer openings and a first pair of inner openings. An inner bearing element is provided for covering the spacing gap between the bone plates, which sits on inner surfaces of the bone plates. The inner bearing element has a second pair of outer openings and a second pair of inner openings. A tensioning element is provided which is threaded through the openings of the outer and inner bearing elements in a displaceable manner, such that, when tensioned, the tensioning element draws the inner bearing element and the outer bearing element together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Markus Nesper, Klaus-Dieter Steinhilper, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 8048077
    Abstract: In a sternum closure device for securing two sternum parts to be connected to one another, comprising an inner contact element to abut the inner face of the sternum, at least one clamping element secured thereto and projecting transversely therefrom, and comprising an outer contact element for abutment on the outer side of the sternum and which can be clamped by means of the clamping element guided through the intermediate space between the sternum parts against the inner contact element, in order to reduce the obstruction by the sternum closure device in the event of a renewed separation of the sternum parts, it is proposed that the inner contact element consists at least partially of a biocompatible plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Pedro Morales, Dieter Weisshaupt, Theodor Lutze, Manfred Dworschak, Leon Eijsman
  • Patent number: 8038677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handling part and a tool part that encompasses at least one movably mounted tool which is actuated via a force-transmitting and/or actuating mechanism. Said force-transmitting and/or actuating mechanism is operated from the handling part and is provided with a fluid-operated drive unit. In order to improve said surgical instrument such that the same can be operated with as much sensitivity as possible, the movably mounted tool can be impinged upon a first actuation force in a first driven position while being impinged upon by at least one second actuation force in a least one second driven position with the aid of the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Peter Schulz, Dieter Weisshaupt, Markus Nesper, Konstantin Faulhaber, Theodor Lutze
  • Publication number: 20110224654
    Abstract: In order to further develop a surgical instrument with an energy-driven operating device, an energy storage device as well as a control device for driving the operating device as required and supplying it with energy from the energy storage device such that an optimum utilization of the capacity of the energy storage device is achieved without any risk for the surgeon or the patient, in particular in view of the different energy requirements of the individual operating processes, it is suggested that when a predetermined state of residual charge of the energy storage device is reached and/or it is fallen below for the first time the control device make its residual charge available for returning the tool into a rest position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Peter Schulz, Markus Nesper, Dieter Weisshaupt, Konstantin Faulhaber
  • Publication number: 20110152861
    Abstract: In order to so improve a surgical system for connecting body tissue, comprising a surgical instrument having two tool elements movable relative to each other, each of which comprises a high-frequency electrode, the high-frequency electrodes, in an approach position of the tool elements, defining a minimum distance from each other, lying opposite each other and facing each other, that an overstretching of connections of parts of body tissue, in particular, made by a flow of current, is avoided when removing the surgical instrument, it is proposed that the instrument comprise a shaft at the distal end of which at least a first one of the tool elements is arranged or formed, and that a second tool element be adapted to be moved from an operating position, in which it is adapted for movement into the approach position, into a removal position and/or vice versa, a surface area of a perpendicular projection of the second tool element onto a projection plane extending perpendicularly to the shaft direction in the re
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weisshaupt, Anton Keller, Christoph Rothweiler
  • Patent number: 7963192
    Abstract: Surgical scissors are provided having two scissor blades mounted for pivotal movement relative to each other about a pivot axis and having one cutting edge each. The scissor blades have, proximal of the pivot axis, one sliding surface area each, the sliding surface areas sliding along each other and the scissor blades contacting each other distally of the pivot axis at a moving point of contact of the cutting edges sliding along each other when the scissors are opened and closed. At least one of the cutting edges is provided with a hard material coating, and at least one of the two sliding surface areas have a first hard material coating-free surface. A method for the manufacture of surgical scissors is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Rupert Mayenberger, Pedro Morales, Dieter Weisshaupt, Richard Zeller
  • Publication number: 20110087244
    Abstract: In order to improve the fixing of the surgical clips in the housing member in a surgical clip cartridge with a housing member and with a plurality of C-shaped surgical clips stored therein, having two limbs connected to one another by a web, the housing member comprising a plurality of compartments each to receive a surgical clip, with a support face adapted to the contour of the surgical clip in each compartment, against which support face a respective surgical clip abuts with its inner face, with holding members arranged on the housing member, which can be pivoted from a holding position into a release position and, in the holding position, fix the surgical clip in its compartment and, in the release position, are removed from the surgical clip, it is proposed that openings are provided in the limbs, in which the holding members engage in the holding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weisshaupt, Alexander Disch
  • Publication number: 20110022062
    Abstract: In order, in an application instrument for an aneurysm clip comprising two clamping jaws, which are movable relative to one another and between them accommodate the aneurysm clip, as well as actuating elements for moving the clamping jaws towards and away from one another and thereby for opening and closing the aneurysm clip, to assist the surgeon with the controlled closing movement of the aneurysm clip, it is proposed that the application instrument comprises a damping element, which during closing of the aneurysm clip imposes a retarded mutual movement of the clamping jaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Olaf Hegemann, Dieter Weisshaupt, Markus Nesper, Laligam N. Sekhar
  • Patent number: 7867262
    Abstract: A surgical fixing device for the fixing of adjacent bone parts is provided. A first engaging element is provided for engaging the underside of the two bone parts and a second engaging element is provided for engaging the upper side of the bone parts. A tensioning device connects the two engaging elements to each other through an interspace between the bone parts and permanently fixes the two engaging elements with respect to each other in a tensioned manner when they engage the underside and the upper side of the bone parts. To make it easier to apply the fixing device, at least one elastic tensioning element is provided which displaces a supporting surface applied to the upper side of the bone parts toward the first engaging element, so that the supporting surface and the first engaging element can be moved away from each other against the force of the elastic tensioning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Pedro Morales, Dieter Weisshaupt, Manfred Dworschak, Theodor Lutze
  • Publication number: 20100274264
    Abstract: In a surgical instrument for placement of C-shaped ligature clips having two legs running next to one another and connected to one another by means of a bridge-section, with two clamping jaws movable relative to one another, with a supply guide means, along which the ligature clip can be pushed onto the clamping jaws with the free ends of the legs first, with a clamping jaw guide means, which adjoins the supply guide means and in which the ligature clip can be inserted between the clamping jaws, and with a feeding means for advancing a ligature clip out of the supply guide means into the clamping jaw guide means and into an end position between the clamping jaws, in order to improve the guidance of the ligature clips during transfer from the supply guide means into the clamping jaw guide means, it is proposed that the feeding means comprises a feed element, which can be placed against the ligature clip to be fed and is guided in a longitudinal guide means running along its feed path in the transition region f
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Peter Schulz, Pedro Morales, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Publication number: 20100274262
    Abstract: In a surgical instrument for applying C-shaped ligating clips having two juxtaposed legs which are joined to each other by a bridge portion and are each divided by a longitudinal slot into two juxtaposed portions joined to each other at the free end of the legs, the surgical instrument comprising two juxtaposed clamping jaws with guiding surfaces facing each other for the legs of a ligating clip that lie against the guiding surfaces when the ligating clip is inserted between the clamping jaws, in order to improve the positioning of the ligating clip between the clamping jaws, it is proposed that there be arranged on at least one of the guiding surfaces of the clamping jaws an inwardly protruding projection which, when the ligating clip is advanced along the guiding surfaces, elastically enters the longitudinal slot of the ligating clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Peter Schulz, Pedro Morales, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Publication number: 20100268036
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical retraction device which comprises at least two support arms which are moveable relative to each other and are held directly or indirectly upon one another and upon which at least one surgical restraining element for restraining bones or body tissue is or can be arranged, and which also comprises a support arm positioning mechanism for moving and changing a position of the at least two support arms relative to each other, it is proposed that the support arm positioning mechanism should comprise a coarse adjustment mechanism and at least one fine adjustment mechanism with which a position of the at least two support arms relative to each other can be changed mutually independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Christoph Rothweiler, Pedro Morales, Markus Nesper, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Publication number: 20100243840
    Abstract: A surgical holding arm has a plurality of holding arm members which are coupled to one another and a tensioning device for tensioning the holding arm members against one another. The tensioning device is designed in such a manner that the holding arm can be brought from an operative position, in which the holding arm members are tensioned against one another so as to be immovable, into an adjusting position, in which the holding arm members can be moved relative to one another. The holding arm can be brought, in addition, into a cleaning position, in which adjacent holding arm members can be moved away from one another further than in the adjusting position. Furthermore, a surgical holding device is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Markus Nesper, Dieter Weisshaupt, Matthias Wand