Patents by Inventor Klaus Epple

Klaus Epple 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: 11697016
    Abstract: A catheter pump having a rotor shaft rotatably arranged in the inner catheter for driving an expandable conveyor element provided at the pump head. The conveyor element is rotatably mounted between a. distal hearing point and a proximal bearing point, wherein the outer catheter has a sleeve section on the distal end thereof surrounding the proximal bearing point, and wherein the proximal bearing point can be moved in the axial direction relative to the sleeve section in order to expand the conveyor element, wherein the proximal bearing point comprises a bearing receiver having a rotational bearing point for a rotary head rotationally fixed to the distal end of the rotor shaft, and a force application point at an axial distance to same for a force application section provided at the distal end of the inner catheter for axially moving the proximal bearing points relative to the sleeve section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: 11679232
    Abstract: A flushing system for a catheter, in particular for a catheter of a catheter pump, comprising a supply line having a pump section, a discharge line having a pump section and a pump, wherein the diameter of the pump section of the discharge line is smaller than the diameter of the pump section of the supply conduit, the pump interacts with the pump section of the supply line for supplying flushing fluid to the catheter, and the pump interacts with the pump section of the discharge line for discharging flushing fluid from the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: 11331465
    Abstract: A catheter pump having a pump head for insertion into the arterial vasculature. The pump head comprises a conveying element, which can be moved from a folded-up insertion position, in which the pump head can be inserted into the arterial vasculature, into a folded-out operating position, and a cage surrounding the conveying element. The cage comprises a distal and a proximal sleeve as well as filaments extending between the sleeves, a support part coupled to the respective sleeve in the axial direction is provided in the region of the distal and/or the proximal sleeve, the support part comprises a peripheral groove, in which a ring element is held in the axial direction, and the sleeve comprises at least one recess, in which the sleeve is welded to the ring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: 11123538
    Abstract: A catheter pump having a drive unit and a catheter. The catheter has a pump head for inserting into the aorta and having a rotatably arranged rotor shall for driving an expandable conveying element provided on the pump head and has, at the proximal end thereof, a coupling section, which is connected to the rotor shaft for conjoint rotation and which can be rotated about a coupling axis. The drive unit having a drive and a drive section, which can be driven in rotation about a drive axis by the drive, the coupling section and/or the drive section having magnet elements for contactless mutual rotational coupling. The coupling and drive axes being spaced from each other by a distance a in the perpendicular direction in such a way that the magnetic field of the magnet elements pushes the coupling section in a direction extending perpendicularly to the coupling axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Epple, Andreas Fritz
  • Patent number: 11103690
    Abstract: A catheter including a cage having a distal and proximal sleeves and filaments running between sleeves and an actuation portion comprises a base part that is movement-coupled with the inner catheter in the axial direction and an actuation part that can be moved relative to the base part in the axial direction and is guided in or on the base part, the outer catheter's proximal end having the actuation part and the outer catheter's distal end having the proximal sleeve are movement-coupled in the axial direction such that when moving the actuation part away from the base part, the proximal sleeve is moved toward the distal sleeve, the actuation part comprises an inlet for irrigation fluid to be transferred to bearing points of the conveying element, and the base part has an outlet for irrigation fluid coming from the bearing points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Publication number: 20200023113
    Abstract: A catheter pump having a drive unit and a catheter. The catheter has a pump head for inserting into the aorta and having a rotatably arranged rotor shall for driving an expandable conveying element provided on the pump head and has, at the proximal end thereof, a coupling section, which is connected to the rotor shaft for conjoint rotation and which can be rotated about a coupling axis. The drive unit having a drive and a drive section, which can be driven in rotation about a drive axis by the drive, the coupling section and/or the drive section having magnet elements for contactless mutual rotational coupling. The coupling and drive axes being spaced from each other by a distance a in the perpendicular direction in such a way that the magnetic field of the magnet elements pushes the coupling section in a direction extending perpendicularly to the coupling axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Epple, Andreas Fritz
  • Publication number: 20200023158
    Abstract: A flushing system for a catheter, in particular for a catheter of a catheter pump, comprising a supply line having a pump section, a discharge line having a pump section and a pump, wherein the diameter of the pump section of the discharge line is smaller than the diameter of the pump section of the supply conduit, the pump interacts with the pump section of the supply line for supplying flushing fluid to the catheter, and the pump interacts with the pump section of the discharge line for discharging flushing fluid from the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Publication number: 20200023109
    Abstract: A catheter pump having a rotor shaft rotatably arranged in the inner catheter for driving an expandable conveyor element provided at the pump head. The conveyor element is rotatably mounted between a. distal hearing point and a proximal bearing point, wherein the outer catheter has a sleeve section on the distal end thereof surrounding the proximal bearing point, and wherein the proximal bearing point can be moved in the axial direction relative to the sleeve section in order to expand the conveyor element, wherein the proximal bearing point comprises a bearing receiver having a rotational bearing point for a rotary head rotationally fixed to the distal end of the rotor shaft, and a force application point at an axial distance to same for a force application section provided at the distal end of the inner catheter for axially moving the proximal bearing points relative to the sleeve section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Publication number: 20200000988
    Abstract: A catheter including at least a cage having a distal and a proximal sleeve and filaments running between the sleeves and an actuation portion comprises a base part that is movement-coupled with the inner catheter in the axial direction and an actuation part that can be moved relative to the base part in the axial direction and is guided in or on the base part, the proximal end of the outer catheter having the actuation part and the distal end of the outer catheter having the proximal sleeve are movement-coupled in the axial direction such that when moving the actuation part away from the base part, the proximal sleeve is moved toward the distal sleeve, the actuation part comprises an inlet for irrigation fluid to be transferred to bearing points of the conveying element, and the base part has an outlet for irrigation fluid coming from the bearing points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Publication number: 20190358384
    Abstract: A catheter pump having a pump head for insertion into the arterial vasculature. The pump head comprises a conveying element, which can be moved from a folded-up insertion position, in which the pump head can be inserted into the arterial vasculature, into a folded-out operating position, and a cage surrounding the conveying element. The cage comprises a distal and a proximal sleeve as well as filaments extending between the sleeves, a support part coupled to the respective sleeve in the axial direction is provided in the region of the distal and/or the proximal sleeve, the support part comprises a peripheral groove, in which a ring element is held in the axial direction, and the sleeve comprises at least one recess, in which the sleeve is welded to the ring element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: 10179197
    Abstract: A catheter pump comprising a pump head for insertion into the aorta. The pump head includes: a rotor having propellers that can be displaced from a folded insertion position in which the pump head can be inserted into the aorta, to an unfolded operating position in which the rotor can be set in rotation, and a cage surrounding the propellers. The cage comprises a distal, proximal sheath and filaments running between sheaths. The sheaths are moved towards one another at or before the unfolding of the propellers in a manner that the regions of the filaments lying between the sheaths expand radially outward, to form a space surrounding the unfolded propellers. At least some or all of the filaments are configured so as to each have at least one main section that engages one sheath and splits into at least two minor sections in the direction toward the other sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Kaiser, Klaus Epple
  • Publication number: 20180140759
    Abstract: A catheter pump comprising a pump head for insertion into the aorta. The pump head includes: a rotor having propellers that can be displaced from a folded insertion position in which the pump head can be inserted into the aorta, to an unfolded operating position in which the rotor can he set in rotation, and a cage surrounding the propellers. The cage comprises a distal, proximal sheath and filaments running between sheaths. The sheaths are moved towards one another at or before the unfolding of the propellers in a manner that the regions of the filaments lying between the sheaths expand radially outward, to form a space surrounding the unfolded propellers. At least some or all of the filaments are configured so as to each have at least one main section that engages one sheath and splits into at least two minor sections in the direction toward the other sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: CardioBridge GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried KAISER, Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: 8727959
    Abstract: A catheter pump intended to be inserted in the circulatory system, for example for assisting the heart, including a hollow catheter, a sheath, a drive cable, a drive shaft, a propeller, a proximal housing, a distal housing, and several filaments. Axial movement of the sheath in relation to the catheter brings the distal housing closer to the proximal housing so that said filaments are unfolded to form a cage. The propeller is pivotable between a first folded position, in which the propeller is parallel with the drive shaft and an unfolded position in which the propeller is perpendicular to the drive shaft. Axial movement of the sheath in a first movement unfolds the cage and in a second subsequent movement, actuation pins of the sleeve act upon a cam surface that unfolds the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiobridge GmbH
    Inventors: Oeyvind Reitan, Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: 8579858
    Abstract: A catheter pump intended to be inserted in the circulatory system of a mammal, for example for assisting the heart. The catheter pump comprises: a hollow catheter (2); a drive cable (1) arranged in a lumen (6) of the catheter (2); a sheath (3) surrounding the hollow catheter (2); a drive shaft (5) connected to a distal end of the drive cable (1) to be rotated by the drive cable; a propeller (4) arranged at the drive shaft; and a cage (11) surrounding the propeller. The propeller and the cage are moveable from a folded position, wherein the catheter pump has a small cross-sectional dimension of about 3.3 mm to an unfolded position wherein the unfolded cage surrounds the unfolded propeller and the size of the cage is about 19.5 mm. The drive shaft comprises a distal bearing (24) and a proximal bearing (25). A purge system is arranged for passing fluid in a lumen (7) along the hollow catheter to the proximal bearing, for purging and lubrication of the proximal bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiobridge GmbH
    Inventors: Oeyvind Reitan, Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: 8291854
    Abstract: A device for applying active substances onto surfaces of medical implants, in particular stents, consists of a base station, and of an exchangeable cartridge which can be mounted on the latter. Provided on the cartridge there is a holder for the stents, and a nozzle for spraying the active substance onto the surface of the stent. Provided on the base station there is a drive unit via which the holder and the nozzle are moved relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Translumina GmbH
    Inventors: Boris Behnisch, Klaus Epple, Siegfried Einhellig
  • Publication number: 20110282128
    Abstract: A catheter pump intended to be inserted in the circulatory system, for example for assisting the heart, including a hollow catheter, a sheath, a drive cable, a drive shaft, a propeller, a proximal housing, a distal housing, and several filaments. Axial movement of the sheath in relation to the catheter brings the distal housing closer to the proximal housing so that said filaments are unfolded to form a cage. The propeller is pivotable between a first folded position, in which the propeller is parallel with the drive shaft and an unfolded position in which the propeller is perpendicular to the drive shaft. Axial movement of the sheath in a first movement unfolds the cage and in a second subsequent movement, actuation pins of the sleeve act upon a cam surface that unfolds the propeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: CARDIOBRIDGE GMBH
    Inventors: Oeyvind Reitan, Klaus Epple
  • Publication number: 20110034874
    Abstract: A catheter pump intended to be inserted in the circulatory system of a mammal, for example for assisting the heart. The catheter pump comprises: a hollow catheter (2); a drive cable (1) arranged in a lumen (6) of the catheter (2); a sheath (3) surrounding the hollow catheter (2); a drive shaft (5) connected to a distal end of the drive cable (1) to be rotated by the drive cable; a propeller (4) arranged at the drive shaft; and a cage (11) surrounding the propeller. The propeller and the cage are moveable from a folded position, wherein the catheter pump has a small cross-sectional dimension of about 3.3 mm to an unfolded position wherein the unfolded cage surrounds the unfolded propeller and the size of the cage is about 19.5 mm. The drive shaft comprises a distal bearing (24) and a proximal bearing (25). A purge system is arranged for passing fluid in a lumen (7) along the hollow catheter to the proximal bearing, for purging and lubrication of the proximal bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Oeyvind Reitan, Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: D811588
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Inventors: Siegfried Kaiser, Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: D826401
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: CARDIOBRIDGE GMBH
    Inventor: Klaus Epple
  • Patent number: D855175
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Klaus Epple