Patents by Inventor Matthias Balazs

Matthias Balazs 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: 6269997
    Abstract: For actuating a variety of interchangeable surgical instruments, more particularly for hollow organ anastomosis, an apparatus comprises at the proximal end of a shank part a handle part (2) secured releasably and correctly positioned thereto. A pivotable toggle mechanism is fitted to the handle part, the pivotable toggle mechanism cooperating releasably with the proximal end of a flexible, force-transmitting reciprocating part guidingly accommodated in the shank part. The proximal end of the reciprocating part is connected to an adjusting mechanism in the handle part. At the distal end of the reciprocating part a connector for connecting a surgical instrument is provided. At the distal end of the shank part a connector is provided for connecting a housing of the surgical instrument. Fitted to the distal end of the flexible reciprocating part is a pusher transmitting an axial compression force to the body of the surgical instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum-für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Balázs, Ulrich Hagn
  • Patent number: 6258107
    Abstract: For connecting a variety of surgical instruments for both minimally invasive surgery and for application in open surgery a push-button fastener is provided at the proximal end of the instrument to be connected in each case at the distal end of a shank part of an operating control device. Furthermore, for connecting and actuating the function elements of the instrument connected in each case a mandrel assembly is provided at the proximal end of the instrument, the mandrel assembly being in turn mounted on and latched to a receiving part at the distal end of an adjuster mechanism actuatable by the operating control means. Preferably, the mandrel assembly is tubular pin body slotted at its proximal end, having splined portions which is mounted on and latched to a contact pin guided and positioned in the shank part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.v.
    Inventors: Matthias Balázs, Ulrich Hagn
  • Patent number: 6053933
    Abstract: A gripping unit for application in Minimally Invasive Surgery includes a stationary jaw (2) rigidly attached to a base section (4), a movable jaw (1) connected via a joint (5) to a push/pull rod (3), and an operating handle (6). The stationary jaw (2), the movable jaw (1), the push/pull rod (3) and the base section (4) have, in the longitudinal direction of the gripping unit, a channel (9) to receive an additional instrument (7), designed so that the channels (9, 30) in the base section (4) and in the push/pull rod (3) together form a circular conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt E.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Balazs, Matthias Hahnle
  • Patent number: 6012494
    Abstract: In a flexible structure, a number n of notches (12a, 12b) is formed in a preferably circular-cylindrical block of material (1). The parallel and equidistant notches (12a, 12b) begin at two diametrically opposed jacket lines (10.sub.1, 10.sub.2) and are at right angles or an acute angle to the longitudinal axis (10) of the block and are made so deep that for joining together (n+1) segments (22), a continuous, approximately rectangular residual cross-sectional region (32) remains, in the form of a residual web. Symmetrically to the longitudinal axis (10), continuous, closed conduits (52, 52.sub.1, 52.sub.2) are formed in the rectangular residual cross-sectional region (32). Moreover, aligned bores (42.sub.1, 42.sub.2) are located at diametrically opposed points, and in them pressure- and/or tension exerting components can be accommodated for bending the flexible structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Balazs
  • Patent number: 5964780
    Abstract: In an apparatus for operating a robotic device (1), preferably in minimally-invasive surgery and/or robotics, at least one movable robotic part (11; 12) of the robotic device (1) is connected to a first holding part (60) by way of a first, flexible connecting part (51.sub.1) of a hinge joint (5.sub.1) Moreover, the movable robotic part (11; 12) is connected to a second holding part (61) by way of a second, flexible connecting part (52.sub.1) of the hinge joint (5.sub.1). This connection is produced in such a way that, when the first holding part (60) moves relative to the second holding part (61) or vice versa, the robotic device (1) pivots the first holding part out of its initial position, and when the part (60 or 61) that has been moved relative to the other part has been brought back, the device restores the part to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Luft-und Raumfahrt E.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Balazs
  • Patent number: 5669918
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for one-handed preparation of an anastomosis in minimally invasive surgery has, from the distal end to the proximal end, an interchangeable insertion head (1), a staple holder (30) with U-shaped staples and with a circular groove with thread placed in it, an ejector unit, an gently bendable, adjustable and fixable joint (6), an annular knife retained on the ejector unit, a hollow-cylindrical holder part that is axially displaceable in the annular knife and has a number of elastically resilient, radially pivotable gripper and holder arms (20), a circular-cylindrical shaft (7) mounted on the proximal end of the joint (6), an adjusting and fixing device (8) with a hand wheel (80) mounted on the proximal end of the hollow shaft, and a handle (9) with a toggle lever mechanism (90, 93) pivotably connected to it. (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Balazs, Peter Spitzweck