Patents by Inventor Heiko Schall

Heiko Schall 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: 11207121
    Abstract: A device (10) for tissue coagulation, in particular for fusion, encompasses an electric source (18), which is connected or which can be connected to electrodes (12, 13) for influencing biological tissue (11) with current. A control unit (22) controls the source (18) during phases I and II of the tissue fusion. These phases I and II correspond to operating phases I, II and III of the device (10). During operating phase I, a monitoring unit (23) determines the energy E1, which is applied into the tissue (11). In the subsequent operating phases II and III, the control unit (22) controls the source (18) by means of the determined energy E1. Such a device turns out to be particularly reliable and to be robust in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Daniel Schaeller
  • Patent number: 11020167
    Abstract: An instrument (10) provided for simultaneous coagulation and dissection of tissue has tissue receptacles between the cutting electrode and the sealing electrode for the formation of tissue bulges to secure the tissue in the tool during the sealing process. In order to make it possible to form voluminous tissue bulges and to prevent their atrophy, the cutting electrode is supplied by a current limiting component, preferably in the form of a coupling capacitor. Thereby, in particular, in tissue that can be cut through easily, but which requires a long time for sealing, a high degree of process safety is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Tobias Amann
  • Patent number: 10987157
    Abstract: The coagulation arrangement (10) according to the invention comprises an instrument (11) having a tool (17) comprising coagulating electrodes (22, 23, 27, 28), as well as a dissecting electrode (36). The electrodes are powered by a circuit (44) that comprises a coagulating voltage source (54) and a dissecting voltage source (55), or that can be connected to such sources. The device comprises a dissection actuating switch (60) and a coagulation actuating switch (59). The former is connected to a power switch (58) that—in dissecting mode—connects the current path from the dissecting voltage source (55) to the dissecting electrode (36), before the dissecting voltage source (55) or the HF output voltage source (47) and the coagulating voltage source (54) are actuated. Thus, the user is presented with a reliable means in a simple manner in order to be able to more flexibly perform more complex operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Martin Fritz, Heiko Schall
  • Patent number: 10130414
    Abstract: A sealing instrument (10) including two branches (15, 16) with sealing jaws (19, 20, 36, 37) acted on by a sealing voltage preferably between 80 and 120 volts. Tissue receptacles (53, 54) are separated from one another by a wall-like extension (24), which at its lower edge carries a cutting electrode (31), are defined between the branches (15, 16). A cutting voltage from 300 to 500 volts is applied between a branch (16) and the cutting electrode. When the branches are closed the grasped tissue is sealed simultaneously between the sealing jaws (19, 36 and 20, 37) and is severed by the cutting electrode (31). Even though the tissue is severed completely; for example after 0.3 to 0.5 seconds and the sealing requires more time, the rolls of tissue grasped in the tissue receptacles (53, 54) act as form-fitting protection of the vessel edges in the tool (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Tobias Amann
  • Publication number: 20180250063
    Abstract: A device (10) for tissue coagulation, in particular for fusion, encompasses an electric source (18), which is connected or which can be connected to electrodes (12, 13) for influencing biological tissue (11) with current. A control unit (22) controls the source (18) during phases I and II of the tissue fusion. These phases I and II correspond to operating phases I, II and III of the device (10). During operating phase I, a monitoring unit (23) determines the energy E1, which is applied into the tissue (11). In the subsequent operating phases II and III, the control unit (22) controls the source (18) by means of the determined energy E1. Such a device turns out to be particularly reliable and to be robust in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Daniel Schaeller
  • Patent number: 10045810
    Abstract: An HF surgical appliance comprising an HF generator having an output circuit, which contains an output transformer and has an output impedance. Output terminals, to which an HF surgical instrument can be connected, are provided, said instrument supplying a high-frequency current with a specific frequency into tissue to treat the same. An additional output circuit containing an additional transformer, which is connected between the output circuit and the output terminals to reduce the output impedance is also provided. In this way, the HF surgical appliance can be operated with a high power output even on loads having low impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Erich Werner, Marc Kegreiss, Jürgen Beller
  • Patent number: 9962218
    Abstract: A device (10) for tissue coagulation, in particular for fusion, encompasses an electric source (18), which is connected or which can be connected to electrodes (12, 13) for influencing biological tissue (11) with current. A control unit (22) controls the source (18) during phases I and II of the tissue fusion. These phases I and II correspond to operating phases I, II and III of the device (10). During operating phase I, a monitoring unit (23) determines the energy E1, which is applied into the tissue (11). In the subsequent operating phases II and III, the control unit (22) controls the source (18) by means of the determined energy E1. Such a device turns out to be particularly reliable and to be robust in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Daniel Schaeller
  • Publication number: 20170049505
    Abstract: The coagulation arrangement (10) according to the invention comprises an instrument (11) having a tool (17) comprising coagulating electrodes (22, 23, 27, 28), as well as a dissecting electrode (36). The electrodes are powered by a circuit (44) that comprises a coagulating voltage source (54) and a dissecting voltage source (55), or that can be connected to such sources. The device comprises a dissection actuating switch (60) and a coagulation actuating switch (59). The former is connected to a power switch (58) that—in dissecting mode—connects the current path from the dissecting voltage source (55) to the dissecting electrode (36), before the dissecting voltage source (55) or the HF output voltage source (47) and the coagulating voltage source (54) are actuated. Thus, the user is presented with a reliable means in a simple manner in order to be able to more flexibly perform more complex operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Martin Fritz, Heiko Schall
  • Patent number: 9339324
    Abstract: An RF surgical apparatus and method for operating such an apparatus. The RF surgical apparatus comprises at least two RF generators and at least one neutral electrode output for one neutral electrode. At least two outputs for connecting RF surgical instruments for applying treatment currents to the surgical instruments are provided. Furthermore, a switching device is provided. To enable a simultaneous operation of several RF surgical apparatuses, and not generate any neuromuscular stimulation, a separate generator is provided for each RF surgical instrument and a single neutral electrode is provided for all of the instruments and generators. The switching device is adapted to be arranged in a controlling connection with the RF generators such that the RF generators will never generate, and output to the instruments, any treatment currents at the same time (that is, they output only sequentially).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Eisele, Heiko Schall
  • Patent number: 9314291
    Abstract: Until now, ohmic consumers have been used to abruptly complete the output signal in RF surgical generators. Considering an RF surgical generator comprising a power supply with at least one storage capacitor and a controllable switching device with at least one energy storage device (e.g., a transformer) by which an RF output signal that can be delivered to an RF surgical instrument is generated, it is suggested herein that a regenerative device be provided between the energy storage device and the storage capacitor. Furthermore, a control mechanism is used for controlling the switching device and the regenerative device such that, if the RF output signal is to be completed, the regenerative device is energized for at least part of the time, and the energy storage is at least partially discharged in the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Martin Fritz
  • Publication number: 20160066980
    Abstract: An instrument (10) provided for simultaneous coagulation and dissection of tissue has tissue receptacles between the cutting electrode and the sealing electrode for the formation of tissue bulges to secure the tissue in the tool during the sealing process. In order to make it possible to form voluminous tissue bulges and to prevent their atrophy, the cutting electrode is supplied by a current limiting component, preferably in the form of a coupling capacitor. Thereby, in particular, in tissue that can be cut through easily, but which requires a long time for sealing, a high degree of process safety is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Tobias Amann
  • Patent number: 9247982
    Abstract: A supply device for the operation of at least one medical instrument, in particular an electrosurgical instrument and/or a cryosurgical instrument and/or a water jet surgical instrument. The supply device includes a control unit for the control of the at least one medical instrument and a memory unit for the storage of configuration data which describe a state device with a plurality of states. The control unit is designed such that it reads in configuration data and converts the state device into a control program and controls the at least one medical instrument according to the control program. This ensures efficient control of medical instruments because the control programs used can be more efficiently checked for their correctness and updated accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Fritz, Heiko Schall
  • Patent number: 9247984
    Abstract: Supply units for providing a high-frequency RF voltage and an RF current to electrosurgical instruments so that they can be used for cutting and/or coagulating tissue, while providing regulation of the RF current and the RF voltage and providing a corresponding feedback for the treating physician. A supply unit includes an RF generator unit for generating the RF output voltage, a measuring unit for determining an electrical load while an RF output current is being applied, a signal unit for outputting a haptically perceivable (e.g., tactile) signal and a control unit that is in communicative connection at least with the measuring unit and the signal unit to activate the signal unit as a function of the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Martin Fritz
  • Publication number: 20150374430
    Abstract: A sealing instrument (10) including two branches (15, 16) with sealing jaws (19, 20, 36, 37) acted on by a sealing voltage preferably between 80 and 120 volts. Tissue receptacles (53, 54) are separated from one another by a wall-like extension (24), which at its lower edge carries a cutting electrode (31), are defined between the branches (15, 16). A cutting voltage from 300 to 500 volts is applied between a branch (16) and the cutting electrode. When the branches are closed the grasped tissue is sealed simultaneously between the sealing jaws (19, 36 and 20, 37) and is severed by the cutting electrode (31). Even though the tissue is severed completely; for example after 0.3 to 0.5 seconds and the sealing requires more time, the rolls of tissue grasped in the tissue receptacles (53, 54) act as form-fitting protection of the vessel edges in the tool (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Tobias Amann
  • Patent number: 9192423
    Abstract: A high frequency surgery generator having an output circuit and a power oscillator for generating an HF output voltage. The power oscillator is designed to excite the output circuit at a first excitation frequency, which corresponds to a resonant frequency of the output circuit, in a first operating mode and to excite the output circuit at a second excitation frequency which differs from the first excitation frequency, which does not correspond to the resonant frequency of the output circuit, in a second operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Martin Fritz
  • Patent number: 9168083
    Abstract: A high-frequency surgical generator including a power supply for supplying rectified electrical energy, a power oscillator for supplying a potential-free, DC current-free and DC voltage-free high frequency voltage and a control device for controlling the high frequency voltage wherein the power supply is configured as a current source for supplying a load-independent output current, such that the load-independent output current of the power supply serves as the control variable for controlling the high-frequency voltage. The target value of the load-independent output current is pre-determined by the control device. The high-frequency surgical generators configured as such achieve improved modulation capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Florian Eisele
  • Patent number: 9144451
    Abstract: A high-frequency surgical generator for generating high efficiency outputs that can be operated in resonance over a wide load resistance range. The high-frequency surgical generator includes a first stage circuit for generating high-frequency power and a second stage circuit coupled to the first state circuit. The second stage circuit includes an input and an output and a series resonant circuit located between the input and the output. The second stage circuit further includes an inductor that is switched parallel to the input and a capacitor that is switched parallel to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Florian Eisele
  • Patent number: 9125658
    Abstract: In the method suitable for tissue fusion or coagulation after the commencement of treatment of the tissue, i.e., after completion of a first phase, a second phase is commenced, during which the biological tissue is treated with moderate energy for a certain specified process time. The specification of a functional relationship between the tissue resistance and the output voltage of a supplying source enables the process in phase II to not fall below a minimum treatment time, avoiding premature drying-out of the tissue. A sufficient and reliable bonding of the participating proteins in a moist milieu is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
    Inventor: Heiko Schall
  • Patent number: 8968303
    Abstract: In a method suitable for tissue fusion or coagulation, after the start of treatment of the tissue, i.e., after completion of a first phase, a second phase is commenced, during which the biological tissue is treated for a certain specified process time with moderate energy input. The specification of a negative internal resistance of a supplying source enables the process in the second phase to have a treatment time that remains constant and thus avoids premature drying-out of the tissue. A sufficient and reliable bonding of the participating proteins in the moist milieu is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Martin Fritz
  • Patent number: 8920412
    Abstract: An electrosurgical generator for the treatment of biological tissue. The electrosurgical generator comprises a generator part which supplies a high-frequency (“HF”) treatment current with an HF voltage set according to a voltage control signal. A measuring device detects the HF treatment current and the HF voltage and generates corresponding current and voltage signals. The current signal and the voltage signal are fed to a conversion device which forms a real current signal corresponding to the real component of the HF treatment current. A regulation device compares the real current signal with a pre-settable target value and generates the voltage control signal on the basis of the comparison. The real component of the treatment current is determined and the generator part is adjusted so that said real component approximates to a pre-determined target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ERBE Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Fritz, Heiko Schall