Patents by Inventor Louis Keppler

Louis Keppler 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: 10231745
    Abstract: The present application relates to adaptive surface surgical guiding apparatuses. A surgical guiding apparatus may include one or more rigid portions configured to attach to a first region of an underlying anatomical surface. The surgical guiding apparatus may further include a variable deformable portion coupled to the one or more rigid portions, the variable deformable portion configured to conform to a shape of a second region of the underlying anatomical surface to provide a stable attachment of the surgical guiding apparatus to the underlying anatomical surface. The present disclosure further provides methods for manufacturing surgical guiding apparatuses and uses of the apparatuses for placement onto an underlying anatomical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Materialise N.V.
    Inventors: Benjamin Geebelen, Louis Keppler, Dries Vandecruys
  • Patent number: 10010334
    Abstract: Provided herein are patient-specific surgical guiding tools for positioning on a socket of a ball-and-socket joint, e.g., an acetabulum. The guiding tools comprise a central contact element fitting within the socket and one or more lateral contact elements fitting on the rim of the socket. The guiding tools allow accurate positioning of surgical tools such as alignment elements, according to a pre-operational planning. Methods for the manufacture and use of said guiding tools are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Materialise
    Inventor: Louis Keppler
  • Publication number: 20180070964
    Abstract: Provided herein are patient-specific surgical guiding tools for positioning on a socket of a ball-and-socket joint, e.g., an acetabulum. The guiding tools comprise a central contact element fitting within the socket and one or more lateral contact elements fitting on the rim of the socket. The guiding tools allow accurate positioning of surgical tools such as alignment elements, according to a pre-operational planning. Methods for the manufacture and use of said guiding tools are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Louis KEPPLER
  • Patent number: 9421021
    Abstract: Provided herein are patient-specific surgical guiding tools for positioning on a socket of a ball-and-socket joint, e.g. a glenoid cavity. The guiding tools comprise a central contact element fitting within the socket and one or more lateral contact elements fitting on the rim of the socket. The guiding tools allow accurate positioning of surgical tools such as alignment elements, according to a pre-operational planning. Methods for the manufacture and use of said guiding tools are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: MATERIALISE N.V.
    Inventor: Louis Keppler
  • Patent number: 9339281
    Abstract: The present application relates to surgical guiding tools that may be used for guiding a surgical instrument during bone surgery. A surgical guiding tool may include a body including one or more clamps configured to attach the surgical guiding tool to one or more portions of the bone, wherein a first clamp of the one or more clamps includes a snap-fit portion including a flexible structure for increasing a clamping force of the first clamp and allowing ease of removal of the surgical guiding tool from the bone. The surgical guiding tool may further include at least one aperture for guiding a surgical instrument. The present application further provides methods for manufacturing surgical guiding tools and uses of the tools for placement onto a bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Materialise N.V.
    Inventors: Louis Keppler, Nele Daeman, Katerina Nikonenko
  • Publication number: 20160066930
    Abstract: The present application relates to adaptive surface surgical guiding apparatuses. A surgical guiding apparatus may include one or more rigid portions configured to attach to a first region of an underlying anatomical surface. The surgical guiding apparatus may further include a variable deformable portion coupled to the one or more rigid portions, the variable deformable portion configured to conform to a shape of a second region of the underlying anatomical surface to provide a stable attachment of the surgical guiding apparatus to the underlying anatomical surface. The present disclosure further provides methods for manufacturing surgical guiding apparatuses and uses of the apparatuses for placement onto an underlying anatomical surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Ben GEEBLEN, Louis KEPPLER, Dries VANDECRUYS
  • Patent number: 9271840
    Abstract: A tibial component for use in conjunction with a knee replacement surgery. An inferior surface of the tibial component may be concave to thereby improve bonding between the tibial component and a tibia. The tibial component may produce low stress in the cement mantle during in-vivo loading. A stem extending from the inferior surface of the tibial component may include an anterior curvature to facilitate the use of minimally evasive surgical techniques. The stem may further include medial-lateral wing portions with a posterior curvature to provide improved support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventors: John Keggi, Louis Keppler, Timothy McTighe, Declan Brazil, Carl Knobloch
  • Publication number: 20150157343
    Abstract: The present application relates to surgical guiding tools that may be used for guiding a surgical instrument during bone surgery. A surgical guiding tool may include a body including one or more clamps configured to attach the surgical guiding tool to one or more portions of the bone, wherein a first clamp of the one or more clamps includes a snap-fit portion including a flexible structure for increasing a clamping force of the first clamp and allowing ease of removal of the surgical guiding tool from the bone. The surgical guiding tool may further include at least one aperture for guiding a surgical instrument. The present application further provides methods for manufacturing surgical guiding tools and uses of the tools for placement onto a bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Louis KEPPLER, Nele DAEMAN, Katerina NIKONENKO
  • Publication number: 20140207146
    Abstract: Provided herein are patient-specific surgical guiding tools for positioning on a socket of a ball-and-socket joint, e.g. a glenoid cavity. The guiding tools comprise a central contact element fitting within the socket and one or more lateral contact elements fitting on the rim of the socket. The guiding tools allow accurate positioning of surgical tools such as alignment elements, according to a pre-operational planning. Methods for the manufacture and use of said guiding tools are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: MATERIALISE N.V.
    Inventor: Louis KEPPLER
  • Publication number: 20140058466
    Abstract: The present application relates to surgical guiding tools that may be used for guiding a surgical instrument during bone surgery. A surgical guiding tool may include a body including one or more clamps configured to attach the surgical guiding tool to one or more portions of the bone, wherein a first clamp of the one or more clamps includes a snap-fit portion including a flexible structure for increasing a clamping force of the first clamp and allowing ease of removal of the surgical guiding tool from the bone. The surgical guiding tool may further include at least one aperture for guiding a surgical instrument. The present application further provides methods for manufacturing surgical guiding tools and uses of the tools for placement onto a bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Materialise NV
    Inventors: Louis Keppler, Nele Daeman, Katerina Nikonenko
  • Publication number: 20130338673
    Abstract: Provided herein are patient-specific surgical device that allow for a stable fitted position for use in shoulder surgery. The patient-specific surgical devices may have different functions such as a function as a guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Louis Keppler
  • Publication number: 20120109324
    Abstract: A tibial component for use in conjunction with a knee replacement surgery. An inferior surface of the tibial component may be concave to thereby improve bonding between the tibial component and a tibia. The tibial component may produce low stress in the cement mantle during in-vivo loading. A stem extending from the inferior surface of the tibial component may include an anterior curvature to facilitate the use of minimally evasive surgical techniques. The stem may further include medial-lateral wing portions with a posterior curvature to provide improved support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: John Keggi, Louis Keppler, Timothy McTighe, Declan Brazil, Carl Knobloch
  • Patent number: 5114387
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus for a skater or similar athlete includes a flexible sheet having a smooth glide surface along which the feet of the exerciser can slide. Bumper assemblies are releasably connected with opposite ends of the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is releasably clamped between a rigid base plate and a main section of a bumper assembly. A ramp section is releasably connected with the main section of a bumper assembly. A resiliently compressible bumper strip is provided on an upwardly sloping side surface of the ramp section to engage the foot of the exerciser. To further absorb forces resulting from enagagement of an exerciser's foot against the ramp section, a pad is provided between the ramp section and the main section of a bumper assembly. A mat extends beneath the flexible sheet and ramp section of a bumper assembly to stabilize the bumper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Louis Keppler
  • Patent number: 4779862
    Abstract: An exercising apparatus for a speed skater or similar athlete including a base having a plurality of board members arranged in side-by-side relationship. Hinges pivotally connect adjacent board members to each other. A flexible plastic sheet overlays the board members and has a smooth glide surface on which the skater can slide. Bumpers are located at opposite ends of the base. Clamps releasably interconnect the base, the sheet, and the bumpers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Inventor: Louis Keppler
  • Patent number: RE34320
    Abstract: An exercising apparatus for a speed skater or similar athlete including a base having a plurality of board members arranged in side-by-side relationship. Hinges pivotally connect adjacent board members to each other. A flexible plastic sheet overlays the board members and has a smooth glide surface on which the skater can slide. Bumpers are located at opposite ends of the base. Clamps releasably interconnect the base, the sheet, and the bumpers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Louis Keppler