Patents by Inventor Matthias E. Schuele
Matthias E. Schuele 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).
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Patent number: 10172685Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: pro med instruments GmbHInventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Bernhard Gantner
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Patent number: 9833289Abstract: A substantially radiolucent cranial stabilization pin is adapted for use with a fixture for immobilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure. The pin includes a tip and a body, which are secured together to form the pin. The tip and body are constructed from non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials that are biocompatible. The tip and body are safe for use with, and compatible with, imaging techniques including MR imaging and CT imaging. In some examples the tip is a titanium insert and the body is molded within and around at least a portion of the tip. In some versions, the tip includes a hollow portion and one or more projections extending within the hollow portion. The molded body flows into the hollow portion and around the one or more projections of the tip creating a secure pin suitable to withstand torque and axial forces observed in use.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: pro med instruments, GmbHInventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Edgar F. Schuele, Matt Mastromatteo
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Patent number: 9788900Abstract: A surgical instrument positioning system includes articulating arms for coarse adjustment and a micro manipulator connectable to the articulating arms for fine adjustment. The micro manipulator selectively holds the surgical instrument and is operable to adjust the position of the surgical instrument. The micro manipulator includes two adjustment assemblies for providing linear adjustment and two adjustment assemblies for providing rotational adjustment. Features of the system also provide for control of the amount of free movement or play within the micro manipulator. Also a stop feature works in conjunction with the adjustment assemblies to maintain the tip of the instrument at an intersection of the two rotational axes facilitating rotational adjustment of the micro manipulator without linear displacement of the instrument tip.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: pro med instruments GmbHInventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20160324592Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an integrated rail for attaching accessories thereto. One or more clamps are configured to engage with the integrated rail. Additional accessories can be attached to the one or more clamps, which also include a starburst interface and an integrated rail. The clamps use a linear translating closure mechanism to engage the clamps to the integrated rail of the skull clamp. In some versions, the head fixation device is configured with a navigation adapter that attaches to an upper portion of the skull clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20160228280Abstract: A head fixation device includes a curved frame connectable to a base unit, which is connectable to a patient support device such as an operating table. The frame is connectable to the base unit by way of a swivel adapter, and an interface member that connects with the swivel adapter includes a recess configured to engage the frame. A plurality of stabilization assemblies is connectable to the frame, either directly or by way of one or more support arms. Each of the stabilization assemblies is configurable with an invasive stabilizing structure such as a pin, or a non-invasive stabilizing structure such as a pad.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Bernd Harter
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Patent number: 9402692Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an integrated rail for attaching accessories thereto. One or more clamps are configured to engage with the integrated rail. Additional accessories can be attached to the one or more clamps, which also include a starburst interface and an integrated rail. The clamps use a linear translating closure mechanism to engage the clamps to the integrated rail of the skull clamp. In some versions, the head fixation device is configured with a navigation adapter that attaches to an upper portion of the skull clamp.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: pro med instruments GmbHInventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Patent number: 9216126Abstract: A table adapter and joint assembly are configured for use with a table during a medical procedure, e.g. a medical imaging procedure or combined imaging and surgical procedure. The table adapter is connectable, directly or indirectly, to a portion of the table. The joint assembly connects with the table adapter about a shaft such that the joint assembly is rotatably adjustable. A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp is attachable to the joint assembly. The joint assembly generally has a parallelogram shape that has four joints for adjustment where these four joints can be selectively locked or unlocked relative to each other using a single actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: PRO MED INSTRUMENTS GMBHInventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Tilman Niederfuehr
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Publication number: 20150327937Abstract: A skull clamp for patient stabilization comprises a pair of arms where the arms include upright portions and lateral portions. The upright portions and lateral portions define longitudinal axes, where the intersection of these axes defines an arm angle that is greater than about 90 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is between about 100 and about 120 degrees. In some instances the arm angle is about 110 degrees. The skull clamp can have rails integrated in the arms for attaching various accessories to the skull clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20150202012Abstract: A substantially radiolucent cranial stabilization pin is adapted for use with a fixture for immobilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure. The pin includes a tip and a body, which are secured together to form the pin. The tip and body are constructed from non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials that are biocompatible. The tip and body are safe for use with, and compatible with, imaging techniques including MR imaging and CT imaging. In some examples the tip is a titanium insert and the body is molded within and around at least a portion of the tip. In some versions, the tip includes a hollow portion and one or more projections extending within the hollow portion. The molded body flows into the hollow portion and around the one or more projections of the tip creating a secure pin suitable to withstand torque and axial forces observed in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Edgar F. Schuele, Matt Mastromatteo
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Patent number: 9078679Abstract: A substantially radiolucent cranial stabilization pin is adapted for use with a fixture for immobilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure. The pin includes a tip and a body, which are secured together to form the pin. The tip and body are constructed from non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials that are biocompatible. The tip and body are safe for use with, and compatible with, imaging techniques including MR imaging and CT imaging. In some examples the tip is a titanium insert and the body is molded within and around at least a portion of the tip. In some versions, the tip includes a hollow portion and one or more openings providing access to the hollow portion. The molded body flows into and around portions of the tip creating a secure pin suitable to withstand torque and axial forces observed in use.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: pro med instruments GmbHInventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Matthias E. Schuele, Christian P. Schuele, Thomas C. Schuele
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Publication number: 20150157306Abstract: A retractor system for use in medical procedures is connectable to a head fixation device. The retractor system includes a support assembly and an accessory that is mountable thereto. The support assembly is coupled with the head fixation device such that a position of the support assembly is adjustable relative to the head fixation device. The support assembly includes an upright support and a rod having a non-circular profile. The support assembly and rod are selectively and adjustably coupled to one another via a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly includes a pair of resilient members having contacting and non-contacting surfaces within bores of the resilient members. The accessory and rod are selectively and adjustably coupled to one another via another coupling assembly that comprises locking features operable to selectively engage and disengage the accessory with the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20150148819Abstract: A surgical instrument positioning system includes articulating arms for coarse adjustment and a micro manipulator connectable to the articulating arms for fine adjustment. The micro manipulator selectively holds the surgical instrument and is operable to adjust the position of the surgical instrument. The micro manipulator includes two adjustment assemblies for providing linear adjustment and two adjustment assemblies for providing rotational adjustment. Features of the system also provide for control of the amount of free movement or play within the micro manipulator. Also a stop feature works in conjunction with the adjustment assemblies to maintain the tip of the instrument at an intersection of the two rotational axes facilitating rotational adjustment of the micro manipulator without linear displacement of the instrument tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Patent number: 8844536Abstract: A locking apparatus for use with a head fixation device allows for a stabilizing fixture, such as a rocker arm having a pair of skull pins, to be selectively secured so that the stabilizing fixture can be adjustably rotated to a desired position. In some version the locking apparatus includes a connector that is retained within an opening in a portion of the head fixation device. The connector can translate within the opening and is restricted from rotation. The translating of the connector permits the connector to engage an arch member that retains the stabilizing fixture. The engagement of the connector and arch member is accomplished, in some versions, by way of matching axial oriented toothed portions or starburst features. In some versions the teeth on the starburst features include a chamfer surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: pro med instruments GmbHInventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20140276823Abstract: A stabilization device for use in the medical field includes an interchangeable pin holder assembly. The pin holder assembly has a first portion that is separable from a second portion such that the first portion can be replaced with a similar first portion having one or more components of a different size to accommodate patients of different sizes or to accommodate different stabilization techniques. A method for interchanging a portion of a pin holder assembly includes aligning components of the pin holder assembly and applying force in either a distal or proximal direction depending on whether or not the interchangeable portion of the pin holder assembly is being removed or attached.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: pro med instruments GmbHInventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20140275799Abstract: A flexible arm for use in a medical procedure includes a plurality of bushings and a plurality of double-ball members engaged with one another to thereby provide flexibility to the flexible arm. The double-ball members include a concave bore having a convex interior surface. The flexible arm further includes a wire extending through the concave bore of the double-ball members. An exterior diameter of the wire closely approximates or matches an interior diameter of the concave bore at its smallest point such that the curved members are operable to guide the wire as the flexible arm is flexed. The wire may be adjusted to thereby manipulate the amount of engagement between the bushings and the double-ball members to thereby manipulate the flexibility of the flexible arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: pro med instruments GmbHInventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20140275973Abstract: A drape is provided for use in a surgical or diagnostic procedure using MRI and a patient stabilization device. The drape protects a coil portion of a coil. The drape further includes one or more attachment members to selectively attach and secure the drape to the stabilization device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: pro med instruments GmbhInventor: Matthias E. Schuele
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Publication number: 20140135765Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an opening device having an actuator positioned along an upright portion of the skull clamp near where a pin assembly contacts a patient's head for stabilization. The opening device can be actuated such that the relative distance between arms of the skull clamp can be opened, closed, or adjusted. The opening device is substantially positioned within one of the arms of the skull clamp. In some versions the skull clamp further comprises an attachment feature having an offset configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: pro med instruments GmbHInventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Bernhard Gantner
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Publication number: 20140059771Abstract: A table adapter and joint assembly are configured for use with a table during a medical procedure, e.g. a medical imaging procedure or combined imaging and surgical procedure. The table adapter is connectable, directly or indirectly, to a portion of the table. The joint assembly connects with the table adapter about a shaft such that the joint assembly is rotatably adjustable. A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp is attachable to the joint assembly. The joint assembly generally has a parallelogram shape that has four joints for adjustment where these four joints can be selectively locked or unlocked relative to each other using a single actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: pro med instruments GmbHInventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Tilman Niederfuehr
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Patent number: 8603149Abstract: A substantially radiolucent cranial stabilization pin is adapted for use with a fixture for immobilizing a patient's head during a medical procedure. The pin includes a tip and a body, which are secured together to form the pin. The tip and body are constructed from non-ferrous, non-magnetic materials that are biocompatible. The tip and body are safe for use with, and compatible with, imaging techniques including MR imaging and CT imaging. In some examples the tip is a titanium insert and the body is molded within and around at least a portion of the tip. In some versions, the tip includes a hollow portion and one or more openings providing access to the hollow portion. The molded body flows into and around portions of the tip creating a secure pin suitable to withstand torque and axial forces observed in use.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: pro med instruments GmbHInventors: Matthias E. Schuele, Matthias E. Schuele, Christian P. Schuele, Thomas C. Schuele
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Publication number: 20130081636Abstract: A head fixation device in the form of a skull clamp comprises an integrated rail for attaching accessories thereto. One or more clamps are configured to engage with the integrated rail. Additional accessories can be attached to the one or more clamps, which also include a starburst interface and an integrated rail. The clamps use a linear translating closure mechanism to engage the clamps to the integrated rail of the skull clamp. In some versions, the head fixation device is configured with a navigation adapter that attaches to an upper portion of the skull clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventor: Matthias E. Schuele