Patents by Inventor Jochen Stefan

Jochen Stefan 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: 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: 11871956
    Abstract: Microinvasive medical scissors include a first scissor blade (30) with a first cutting edge (35, 36) between a flank surface (33) and a beveled surface (37, 38), a relatively moveable second scissor blade (40) with a second cutting edge (45, 46) between a flank surface (43) and a beveled surface (47, 48), a guiding device (24) for mechanical guiding of the second cutting edge to touch the first cutting edge at any time in a point of intersection (50). The guiding device is connectable to a shaft (16) of a microinvasive instrument (10). The cutting edges have respective parameters which increase and decrease several times along the second cutting edge. The parameters are the wedge angle (?1, ?2,) between the flank surface and the beveled surface, the cutting angle (?1, ?2), or the width (b1, b2) of the beveled surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jochen Stefan
  • Publication number: 20240000540
    Abstract: A clamping device and method for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications for the frictionally engaged locking of at least two holding segments, the clamping device has a first holding segment, a second holding segment; a driveable spindle, via which a rotational movement can be converted into an axial longitudinal movement for spindle-locking the second holding segment, and a threaded plate. In this case, the threaded plate can be moved axially in the opposite direction during the spindle movement, wherein, by counter-movement of the threaded plate, at least one wedge body is moveable in a ramp system, in order to clamp the first holding segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Sven Grüner
  • Patent number: 11826209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device 020 for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications comprising: a joint between a proximal holding segment 001 and a distal holding segment 017; wherein one axially displaceable thrust element 002, 016 in each case is arranged in the holding segments 001, 017; wherein the joint has a tightening bolt, which defines the pivoting and tightening axis, and has deflection elements, by means of which a thrust force, acting relative to the axis, of the proximal thrust element 002 is deflectable to lock the joint onto the tightening axis and to displace the distal thrust element 016; and wherein the deflection elements comprise at least one ramp system with a wedge body 008. The invention further relates to a holding system comprising the specified holding device and a method for locking the joint of the specified holding device 020.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Sven Grüner
  • Patent number: 11793598
    Abstract: A clamping device and method for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications for the frictionally engaged locking of at least two holding segments, the clamping device has a first holding segment, a second holding segment; a driveable spindle, via which a rotational movement can be converted into an axial longitudinal movement for spindle-locking the second holding segment, and a threaded plate. In this case, the threaded plate can be moved axially in the opposite direction during the spindle movement, wherein, by counter-movement of the threaded plate, at least one wedge body is moveable in a ramp system, in order to clamp the first holding segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Sven Grüner
  • 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: 20230200932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device 020 for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications comprising: a joint between a proximal holding segment 001 and a distal holding segment 017; wherein one axially displaceable thrust element 002, 016 in each case is arranged in the holding segments 001, 017; wherein the joint has a tightening bolt, which defines the pivoting and tightening axis, and has deflection elements, by means of which a thrust force, acting relative to the axis, of the proximal thrust element 002 is deflectable to lock the joint onto the tightening axis and to displace the distal thrust element 016; and wherein the deflection elements comprise at least one ramp system with a wedge body 008. The invention further relates to a holding system comprising the specified holding device and a method for locking the joint of the specified holding device 020.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Sven Grüner
  • Publication number: 20230123097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having a hollow shaft, whose proximal end can be connected to an operating unit and having a tool tip arranged at the distal end of the shaft having a tool arranged at the distal end of the tool tip, wherein the tool has two jaw parts, which can be pivoted relative to one another and wherein the jaw parts are pivoted via actuating elements, which are mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the shaft and which can be actuated on the proximal side via the operating unit and wherein the tool tip can be pivoted via a joint mechanism relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Jochen Stefan
  • Publication number: 20230123251
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having a hollow shaft, whose proximal end can be connected to an operating unit and having a tool tip arranged at the distal end of the shaft having a tool arranged at the distal end of the tool tip, wherein the tool has two jaw parts , which can be pivoted relative to one another and wherein the jaw parts are pivoted via actuating elements, which are mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the shaft and which can be actuated on the proximal side via the operating unit and wherein the tool tip can be pivoted via a joint mechanism relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Jochen Stefan
  • Publication number: 20230123852
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having a hollow shaft, whose proximal end can be connected to an operating unit and having a tool tip arranged at the distal end of the shaft having a tool arranged at the distal end of the tool tip, wherein the tool has two jaw parts, which can be pivoted relative to one another and wherein the jaw parts are pivoted via actuating elements, which are mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the shaft and which can be actuated on the proximal side via the operating unit and wherein the tool tip can be pivoted via a joint mechanism relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Jochen Stefan
  • Publication number: 20230123949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument having a hollow shaft, whose proximal end can be connected to an operating unit and having a tool tip arranged at the distal end of the shaft having a tool arranged at the distal end of the tool tip, wherein the tool has two jaw parts, which can be pivoted relative to one another and wherein the jaw parts are pivoted via actuating elements which are mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the shaft and which can be actuated on the proximal side via the operating unit and wherein the tool tip can be pivoted via a joint mechanism relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Jochen Stefan
  • Patent number: 11622833
    Abstract: A holding device for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications having: a joint between a proximal holding segment and a distal holding segment; wherein one axially displaceable thrust element, in each case is arranged in the holding segments; wherein the joint has a tightening bolt, which defines the pivoting and tightening axis, and has deflection elements, by means of which a thrust force, acting relative to the axis, of the proximal thrust element is deflectable to lock the joint onto the tightening axis and to displace the distal thrust element; and wherein the deflection elements include at least one ramp system with a wedge body. A holding system including the specified holding device and a method for locking the joint of the specified holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Sven Grüner
  • Patent number: 11571194
    Abstract: This application provides an endoscopic device having at least one shaft with at least one portion deflectable, and having at least one deflection mechanism, which is configured to deflect the deflectable portion and includes at least one first connection member and at least one second connection member. When the connection members are arranged in a straight position relative to each other, a straight-position spacing exists defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member and, when the connection members are arranged in a deflection position relative to each other, a deflection-position spacing exists which is defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member, and the deflection-position spacing in the deflection position is greater than the straight-position spacing in the straight position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sven Grüner, Jochen Stefan
  • Publication number: 20230029607
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment relates to an input unit (10) for operating a medical instrument (12) with a hollow shaft (14) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) for receiving guide wires (20), with a tool (16) arranged on the distal side of the shaft (14), extending along an extension axis (E) and a control unit (18) arranged proximally on the shaft (14) for handling the tool (16) by means of the guide wires (20), comprising first input means (22) for continuous, pivoting and rotation-true, preferably uninterrupted and/or absolute, conversion of an ergonomically limited user input, in particular a natural user movement of movable first operating means, into an adjustment movement of the tool (16) in a first handling mode, in order to pivot the tool (16) by means of the control unit (18) relative to the longitudinal axis (L) in a limited way and/or to rotate about the extension axis (E) in a limited way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Janosz SCHNEIDER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Sven Axel GRÜNER, Jochen STEFAN, Thorsten AHRENS
  • Publication number: 20230034550
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment relates to an end effector (1), in particular a robot end effector, a device (20) with an operating element (25) for controlling an end effector (1), a robot with at least one end effector (1) and a medical telemanipulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Jochen STEFAN, Sven Axel GRÜNER
  • Publication number: 20230033865
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a locking device (10) which is designed to be arranged in an actuation unit (4) of a surgical instrument (1) which has a hollow shaft (2) with the actuation unit (4) arranged at a proximal end (3) of the shaft (2) and having a tool (7) at the distal end (5) of the shaft (2), which can be actuated by means of an instrument insert (8) which can be movable stored axially in the direction of a main instrument axis (A) in the shaft (2). The locking device (10) has an engagement element and an actuation device with which the engagement element can be transferred from a release position into a locking position. According to an exemplary embodiment, the engagement element is a locking bolt (15) which longitudinal axis (B) runs perpendicular to the main axis (A) of the instrument and which has an engagement section (15a) for engagement with the instrument insert (8) at a first end and a guide section (15b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Dominik LÄNGLE, Janosz SCHNEIDER, Jochen STEFAN
  • Publication number: 20230030465
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment relates to an input unit (10) for operating a medical instrument (12) with a hollow shaft (14) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) for receiving guide wires (20), with a tool (16) arranged on the distal side of the shaft (14), extending along an extension axis (E) and a control unit (18) arranged proximally on the shaft (14) for handling the tool (16) by means of the guide wires (20), comprising first input means (22) for continuous, pivoting and rotation-true, preferably uninterrupted and/or absolute, conversion of an ergonomically limited user input, in particular a natural user movement of movable first operating means, into an adjustment movement of the tool (16) in a first handling mode, in order to pivot the tool (16) by means of the control unit (18) relative to the longitudinal axis (L) in a limited way and/or to rotate about the extension axis (E) in a limited way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Sven Axel GRÜNER, Janosz SCHNEIDER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Jochen STEFAN, Thorsten AHRENS
  • Publication number: 20230030616
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a steering gear (13) for a surgical instrument (1) which has two motorised drives and is designed to spatially align a swash plate (14) via the adjustment angles of the two drives, which is designed to control the distal bending mechanism (9) of the surgical instrument (1). The first drive has a first drive pinion (16) which can be driven by a first motor (17) via a first drive shaft (17a) which defines a first drive axis (C) and which is connected to a first drive wheel rim (19) of a first drive wheel (18) in operative connection. The second drive has a second drive pinion (16?) which can be driven by a second motor (17?) via a second drive shaft (17a?) which defines a second drive axis (C?) and is connected to a second drive wheel rim (19?) of a second drive wheel (18?) in operative connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Sven Axel GRÜNER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Janosz SCHNEIDER, Jochen STEFAN
  • Publication number: 20230037240
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a medical instrument (1) with a hollow shaft (2), an actuating unit (4) arranged at the proximal end (3) of the shaft (2) and an instrument tip (6) with an instrument (7) arranged at the distal end (5) of the shaft (2), wherein the instrument (7) can be actuated via an actuating element (8) which is mounted in the shaft (2) in an axially displaceable manner, and wherein the actuating element (8) is operatively connected to the actuating unit (4) on the proximal side, and wherein the instrument tip (6) can be pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis (10) of the shaft (2) via a joint mechanism (9). According to one embodiment, the instrument tip (6) can be rotated endlessly, wherein a fixing device is provided on the instrument tip (6) with which the loose end (17, 23) of a sewing material (18, 24) can be fixed on the instrument tip (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Janosz SCHNEIDER, Dominik LÄNGLE, Sven Axel GRÜNER, Jochen STEFAN, Thorsten AHRENS