Patents by Inventor MARKUS WESTERHAUSEN

MARKUS WESTERHAUSEN 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: 11307113
    Abstract: A method is used for determining a status of an encapsulation and/or a passivation layer of the encapsulation. The encapsulation forms a multi-layer system from multiple passivation layers arranged on top of one another and electrically contacted intermediate layers arranged between the passivation layers. The multi-layer system protects an implant surrounded by the encapsulation. In the method, an electrical measurement is carried out between a reference potential and at least one electrically contacted intermediate layer, and at least one current flowing between the reference potential and the at least one electrically contacted intermediate layer is detected. The at least one detected current is compared with at least one pre-determined threshold value. If the detected current falls below or exceeds the at least one threshold value, this indicates a functional state of a passivation layer adjacent to the at least one electrically contacted intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: AESCULAP AG, EBERHARD KARLS UNIVERSITÄT TÜBINGEN
    Inventors: Boris Hofmann, Markus Westerhausen
  • Publication number: 20200222688
    Abstract: In a method for isolating a passivation, an isolating wall is arranged along the circumference of at least one opening created in a predetermined way in the passivation. A resultant passivation system has an electrically and/or fluid-tightly and/or gas-tightly isolating wall along the circumference of at least the opening created in a predetermined way in the passivation. The isolating wall of a predetermined thickness along a circumference of an opening produced in a predetermined way in a passivation of a medical implant advantageously provides an isolation of the passivation or components of the same with respect to electricity and/or liquid acting on the passivation or the components of the same from the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: BORIS HOFMANN, MARKUS WESTERHAUSEN
  • Publication number: 20200191681
    Abstract: A method is used for determining a status of an encapsulation and/or a passivation layer of the encapsulation. The encapsulation forms a multi-layer system from multiple passivation layers arranged on top of one another and electrically contacted intermediate layers arranged between the passivation layers. The multi-layer system protects an implant surrounded by the encapsulation. In the method, an electrical measurement is carried out between a reference potential and at least one electrically contacted intermediate layer, and at least one current flowing between the reference potential and the at least one electrically contacted intermediate layer is detected. The at least one detected current is compared with at least one pre-determined threshold value. If the detected current falls below or exceeds the at least one threshold value, this indicates a functional state of a passivation layer adjacent to the at least one electrically contacted intermediate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: BORIS HOFMANN, MARKUS WESTERHAUSEN