Patents by Inventor Kari Lehtonen

Kari Lehtonen 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: 11433156
    Abstract: An instrument cassette (100) for handling instruments (111) comprises support structures (101) for mechanically supporting the instruments (111), and a shielding structure (102, 103) for containing operational portions (112) of the instruments (111) so that a risk of unintentional touching the operational portions (112) is reduced. At least one wall (104) of the shielding structure (103) comprises channels (105) for allowing liquid and gaseous substances to flow through the wall. The substances may comprise for example hot vapor used in an autoclaving sterilization process. The channels (105) are shaped to prevent the operational portions (112) of the instruments (111) from protruding through the wall (104) via the channels (105). Thus, there is no need for a high number of very small channels which may be difficult to manufacture in a cost effective way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kari Lehtonen, Gaius Voltti
  • Patent number: 10849714
    Abstract: A medical or a dental instrument comprises an operative portion (101) for operations according to the purpose of use of the instrument, a center portion (103) mechanically connecting to the operative portion, and a radio frequency identifier (106) located on the center portion and capable of being read from a distance of the instrument. The instrument further comprises a tubular handle portion (104) provided to surround the radio frequency identifier and at least a part of the center portion, the tubular handle portion being cast on the instrument so that the material of the tubular handle portion is adhered to the material of the center portion. Thus, the tubular handle portion acts not only as the handle portion but also as at least a part of a fixation system attaching the radio frequency identifier to the instrument. An instrument of such construction is easy to keep hygienic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Planmeca OY
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Publication number: 20200129653
    Abstract: An instrument cassette (100) for handling instruments (111) comprises support structures (101) for mechanically supporting the instruments (111), and a shielding structure (102, 103) for containing operational portions (112) of the instruments (111) so that a risk of unintentional touching the operational portions (112) is reduced. At least one wall (104) of the shielding structure (103) comprises channels (105) for allowing liquid and gaseous substances to flow through the wall. The substances may comprise for example hot vapor used in an autoclaving sterilization process. The channels (105) are shaped to prevent the operational portions (112) of the instruments (111) from protruding through the wall (104) via the channels (105). Thus, there is no need for a high number of very small channels which may be difficult to manufacture in a cost effective way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Kari LEHTONEN, Gaius VOLTTI
  • Publication number: 20180318039
    Abstract: A medical or a dental instrument comprises an operative portion (101) for operations according to the purpose of use of the instrument, a center portion (103) mechanically connecting to the operative portion, and a radio frequency identifier (106) located on the center portion and capable of being read from a distance of the instrument. The instrument further comprises a tubular handle portion (104) provided to surround the radio frequency identifier and at least a part of the center portion, the tubular handle portion being cast on the instrument so that the material of the tubular handle portion is adhered to the material of the center portion. Thus, the tubular handle portion acts not only as the handle portion but also as at least a part of a fixation system attaching the radio frequency identifier to the instrument. An instrument of such construction is easy to keep hygienic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: 9956056
    Abstract: A medical or a dental instrument comprises an operative portion (101) for operations according to the purpose of use of the instrument, a center portion (103) mechanically connecting to the operative portion, and a radio frequency identifier (106) located on the center portion and capable of being read from a distance of the instrument. The instrument further comprises a tubular handle portion (104) provided to surround the radio frequency identifier and at least a part of the center portion, the tubular handle portion being cast on the instrument so that the material of the tubular handle portion is adhered to the material of the center portion. Thus, the tubular handle portion acts not only as the handle portion but also as at least a part of a fixation system attaching the radio frequency identifier to the instrument. An instrument of such construction is easy to keep hygienic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LM-INSTRUMENTS OY
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Publication number: 20160128799
    Abstract: A medical or a dental instrument comprises an operative portion (101) for operations according to the purpose of use of the instrument, a center portion (103) mechanically connecting to the operative portion, and a radio frequency identifier (106) located on the center portion and capable of being read from a distance of the instrument. The instrument further comprises a tubular handle portion (104) provided to surround the radio frequency identifier and at least a part of the center portion, the tubular handle portion being cast on the instrument so that the material of the tubular handle portion is adhered to the material of the center portion. Thus, the tubular handle portion acts not only as the handle portion but also as at least a part of a fixation system attaching the radio frequency identifier to the instrument. An instrument of such construction is easy to keep hygienic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Kari LEHTONEN
  • Patent number: 6997709
    Abstract: A dental hand instrument (10), comprising a handle (11) with parts (12a, 12b) at its ends. The end of each neck part is provided with a coupling element (15) designed for the connection of replaceable tips (20) and oriented in the same direction with the neck part. The coupling element is a socket or pin (19) extending in the same direction with the neck part and allowing a corresponding concentric pin (21) or socket (26) of the tip to be fitted into/onto it. The socket of the coupling element may be provided with slots (17), and the inner surface of the socket has a circular or cornered cross-sectional form. The neck part and coupling element of the hand instrument are preferably made of stainless steel and the tip is made of steel, aluminum, plastic-coated aluminum, steel or titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: LM-Instruments Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Kangasniemi, Eino Lumme, Kari Lehtonen
  • Publication number: 20030022131
    Abstract: A dental hand instrument (10), comprising a handle (11) with parts (12a, 12b) at its ends. The end of each neck part is provided with a coupling element (15) designed for the connection of replaceable tips (20) and oriented in the same direction with the neck part. The coupling element is a socket or pin (19) extending in the same direction with the neck part and allowing a corresponding concentric pin (21) or socket (26) of the tip to be fitted into/onto it. The socket of the coupling element may be provided with slots (17), and the inner surface of the socket has a circular or cornered cross-sectional form. The neck part and coupling element of the hand instrument are preferably made of stainless steel and the tip is made of steel, aluminun, plastic-coated aluminum, steel or titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Pekka Kangasniemi, Eino Lumme, Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: 5403257
    Abstract: A multi-pull exercise device comprising a stationary frame, an extensible resistance element carried by the frame, at least two flexible pull lines attached to respective ends of the resistance element; and pulleys guiding the free ends of the pull lines to desired locations of use on the exercise device. To achieve a simple and versatile exercise device, each end of the resistance element is movable axially with respect to the other and with respect to the frame. The resistance mechanism is self-restoring, and can be in the form of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and/or spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Tunturipyora Oy
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: 4953415
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for converting reciprocating motion into even rotational motion. The arrangement comprises a frame (1), a flywheel (2), a pull member (3) attached to the flywheel by means of a free gear mechanism (4), and a brake band arranged to resist the rotational motion of the flywheel (2). In order to achieve smooth operation without jerks, the arrangement comprises a relief member (7) connected to the frame by means of a lever mechanism (4). When the pull member (3) is pulled (A), it presses the relief member (7) and turns the lever mechanism so that the brake band is tightened against the flywheel. When the free gear mechanism (4) draws the pull member in direction (B), the lever mechanism (9) is arranged to turn so that it reduces the tightening force exerted by the brake band on the peripheral face of the flywheel. (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Tunturipyora Oy
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: D457630
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: LM-Instruments Oy
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: D301597
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Tunturipyora Oy
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: D324709
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Tunturipyora Oy
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: D329477
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Tunturipyora Oy
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: D790068
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: LM-Instruments Oy
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: D851771
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Planmeca OY
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen
  • Patent number: D928966
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Planmeca OY
    Inventor: Kari Lehtonen