Patents by Inventor Ernst Falk

Ernst Falk 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: 9700289
    Abstract: A handle for a medical instrument includes an actuation element, which is arranged on the handle and which is displaceable into at least a first and a second functional position. The actuation element can be moved in a plane transverse to its displacement direction, in each of the first and second functional positions, for carrying out a function. A pivotable actuation lever is arranged in the handle, the actuation lever being coupled in movement to the actuation element for displacing the actuation element into the at least two functional positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Prestel, Ernst Falk, Eberhard Körner, Manfred Boebel
  • Patent number: 9220525
    Abstract: A medical instrument includes a handle on the proximal end and a shank rotatably arranged on the handle. A tool is arranged on the distal end of the shank. This tool is rotatable relative to the shank. An actuation element is arranged on the handle. The actuation element may be moved into at least two switch positions, wherein in a first switch position the actuation element is coupled in movement to the shank and in a second switch position the actuation element is coupled in movement to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Boebel, Stephan Prestel, Eberhard Körner, Ernst Falk
  • Publication number: 20140303607
    Abstract: A handle for a medical instrument includes an actuation element, which is arranged on the handle and which is displaceable into at least a first and a second functional position. The actuation element can be moved in a plane transverse to its displacement direction, in each of the first and second functional positions, for carrying out a function. A pivotable actuation lever is arranged in the handle, the actuation lever being coupled in movement to the actuation element for displacing the actuation element into the at least two functional positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Stephan Prestel, Ernst Falk, Eberhard Körner, Manfred Boebel
  • Patent number: 8128650
    Abstract: A medical instrument has a handle arranged at the proximal end, a shank extending distally proceeding from the handle, and a movable jaw part arranged at the distal end of the shank. The shank is designed to be rigid and includes at least one proximal bend region and at least one distal bend region, in which the extension direction of the shank changes. A section of the shank in which the distal bend region is situated may be rotated about the longitudinal axis relative to a section of the shank in which the proximal bend region is situated. The jaw part is rotatable relative to the shank about its distal longitudinal axis at the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Boebel, Stephan Prestel, Sybille Bruestle, Ernst Falk, Gerhard Fritz Buess
  • Publication number: 20110190794
    Abstract: A medical needle holder is provided having a handle arranged at the proximal end and a needle receiver arranged at the distal end. The needle receiver has a first and a second clamping surface, which clamping surfaces face toward each other and extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the holder. The clamping surfaces are movable relative to each other via the handle, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: RICHARD WOLF GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas DINGLER, Ernst FALK, Manfred BOEBEL
  • Publication number: 20110106143
    Abstract: A medical instrument includes a handle on the proximal end and a shank rotatably arranged on the handle. A tool is arranged on the distal end of the shank. This tool is rotatable relative to the shank. An actuation element is arranged on the handle. The actuation element may be moved into at least two switch positions, wherein in a first switch position the actuation element is coupled in movement to the shank and in a second switch position the actuation element is coupled in movement to the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: RICHARD WOLF GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred BOEBEL, Stephan PRESTEL, Eberhard KÖRNER, Ernst FALK
  • Publication number: 20090240274
    Abstract: A medical instrument has a handle arranged at the proximal end, a shank extending distally proceeding from the handle, and a movable jaw part arranged at the distal end of the shank. The shank is designed to be rigid and includes at least one proximal bend region and at least one distal bend region, in which the extension direction of the shank changes. A section of the shank in which the distal bend region is situated may be rotated about the longitudinal axis relative to a section of the shank in which the proximal bend region is situated. The jaw part is rotatable relative to the shank about its distal longitudinal axis at the distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: RICHARD WOLF GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Boebel, Stephan Prestel, Sybille Bruestle, Ernst Falk, Gerhard Fritz Buess
  • Publication number: 20020128682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical forceps with a shank and with a distal-side forceps jaw with two jaw parts which are sharp-cutting on closing the forceps jaw and of which the first jaw part is pivotable relative to the other stationary second jaw part by way of axial adjustment of an actuation element. For improving the handling according to the invention it is envisaged that the two jaw parts which in each case are formed two-limbed, in the longitudinal section are configured essentially L-shaped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Prestel, Daniel Dietzel, Helmut Heckele, Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 6071299
    Abstract: A medical instrument including a housing, a shank a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the shank being connected to the housing, an openable and closable two-part tool provided at the distal end of the shank, an actuating element that runs through the housing and the shank so as to be axially shiftable for actuating the tool, and an elastic buffer as overload protection whereby the buffer elastically deforms to buffer an axial force overload transmitted from the actuating element onto the shank. The buffer is formed as a shaped body of elastic material arranged between the shank and the housing so that during overloading the buffer is deformed by the shank which at the same time shifts axially proximally with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Dingler, Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 5911736
    Abstract: The endoscopic instrument comprises two working parts provided at the distal end region of an elongate shank, of which at least one is pivotingly movable relative to the other, and is provided with handle at the proximal end region of the shank for actuating at least one of the working parts via an actuation rod running in the shank, wherein the working parts in the region of their pivoting mounting submit to a spring force for pressing these parts onto one another. For achieving an exact bearing force of the working parts on one another and an increased security against their damage during use of the instrument the shank at its distal end is provided with a fork-shaped holder with two resilient distal fork arms producing the pressing force onto the working parts, whose at least one fork arm comprises a receiver bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Dingler, Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 5558620
    Abstract: An instrument for manipulating organs in endoscopic procedures in the interior of the body includes two spreading members at the distal end of the instrument. The spreading members can be swiveled outwardly and actuated by means of a handle at the proximal end of the instrument. A control member displaceably guided in the instrument shaft connects the handle and spreading members. The distal end of the instrument is bent in such a way that the spreading members spread out in a curved plane so that organs can be reliably guided with the manipulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heckele, Andreas Dingler, Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 5112346
    Abstract: A retrograde cutting hook punch for arthroscopy is so designed that two ends of a fixed and a pivotable jaw member which are remote from the axis of pivot of the pivotable jaw member are laterally positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the forceps, the pivotable jaw member, which is pivotable between limits set by two abutments, having an axially directed part which is guided to pivot in a longitudinal slot in the fixed jaw member, said axially directed part being provided with a downwardly open longitudinal slot to receive a traction and thrust rod for actuating the pivotable jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Hiltebrandt, Andreas Dingler, Ernst Falk, Martin F. Fischmeister
  • Patent number: 5041111
    Abstract: An operating insert to be passed through a resectoscope shaft comprises a channel for an axially displaceable cutting loop which extends parallel to an optical system through the operating insert. The cutting loop has branches secured within a tube and merging at their proximal ends into an electrode stem which extends beyond the shaft as far as an electrode carrier. An annular cylindrical sealing element of plastics material or the like is secured on the stem or on the inner side of the channel and bears via sealing projections against the inner surface of the cutting loop so as to prevent the passage of fluid to the proximal end of the channel while allowing axial movement of the stem and the tube within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Bauer, Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 4994024
    Abstract: Arthroscopy hook-clippers comprise a circular cross-section outer shaft having at a distal end thereof a fixed jaw and a movable jaw pivoted to the fixed jaw. Within the shaft are a thrust rod which is movable axially thereof to pivot the movable jaw with respect to the fixed jaw, and beside the thrust rod, a vacuum extraction channel. The extraction channel is of substantially circular cross-section excepting that it has a flat upper wall, which co-operates with the upper internal wall of the shaft to define a guideway for the thrust rod the cross-section of which is matched to that of the guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 4944093
    Abstract: A forceps and in particular hooked shears, has a distal extremity of the forceps shaft provided with a recess of the one fixed branch of the forceps jaws, with which branch there co-operates a double-armed pivotally displaceable jaw branch by means of a scissors grip and a push and pull rod. The recess of the fixed jaw branch is continued by a shaft slot whereof the delimiting edge forms a stop for a stepped surface of the push and pull rod placed in impingement in the closed position of the jaws and the open position of the jaws is restricted by impingement of a surface of the pivotable jaw branch against the top distal edge of the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 4819633
    Abstract: The coagulation forceps of the type in which a rod for the opening and closing of forceps jaws by reciprocal axial movement thereof extends axially through an externally insulated shaft, and is actuated by a handle comprising a pair of branches which are resiliently biassed apart from one another. To simplify construction while ensuring that the handle is well insulated from the HF supply to the forceps shaft, the two branches of the handle are connected to respective parts of the forceps by separately produced insulating elements. One of these elements is connected to the proximal end of the actuating rod while the other is mounted on the shaft and encloses a connector for the HF supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Bauer, Ernst Falk
  • Patent number: 4774947
    Abstract: A lithotripsy probe for stone disintegration, comprising a pair of conductors insulated from one another and extending through the probe. The conductors are surrounded by a thin metal sleeve over a distal length of the probe, and the metal sleeve is provided at one point, which is situated at a distance from the distal extremity of the probe, with at least one gap or perforation in which engages an overlying shrink-on tube to immobilize the sleeve on the two insulated conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Richard Wolf, GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Falk, Siegfried Bauer, Helmut Wurster
  • Patent number: 4569131
    Abstract: A tool having an insert portion mounted on a handle portion which handle portion will actuate a pincher-like tool arrangement on the free end of the insert portion characterized by a locking arrangement for holding the pincher-like tool in a closed position by holding the handle portion in the closed position and a stop arrangement to limit the amount of movement of the pincher-like tool toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Falk, Siegfried Hiltebrandt, Johann Knoesel
  • Patent number: 4512343
    Abstract: An insulated electrically conducted shaft for medical coagulation instruments, and particularly for unipolar coagulation instruments is constructed with an insulating jacket consisting of separate conduit pieces formed of insulating material which are slipped onto the shaft. The conduit pieces have abutting end faces which engage adjacent pieces in an overlapping fashion with the overlapping being caused by engagement of two layers of staggered conduit pieces of equal length or by complementary step formed end faces of adjacent conduit pieces or by inner diameter or outer diameter radial dimensioned steppings of the abutting conduit pieces with the resultant gaps filled by filler conduit pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Falk, Johann Knosel
  • Patent number: H1028
    Abstract: Medical forceps are described which have a fixed jaw part and swingable jaw part with which parts a fixed handle part and a swingable handle part respectively are associated. In order to limit the pressure force which can be produced on the jaw parts, the swingable grip part is divided into two parts which are undetachably connected on a line with each other by a flexural spring element. For the fixing of the gripping position of the jaw parts detent elements which come into detachable engagement with each other are provided on the grip parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Falk, Andreas Dingler, Siegfried Hiltebrandt