Patents by Inventor Robert A. Schaefer

Robert A. Schaefer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240008896
    Abstract: An expandable surgical access port having movable arms and a membrane on the arms. The arms are movable by a mechanism that operates without moving in the longitudinal direction, and may include position indicators, slots for lights and electrical wires through the arms, and other features. A method for making a surgical access port is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Vycor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cantor, Robert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20230363522
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle and a treatment head pivotably connected with the handle. Applying a treatment force against the treatment head causes a pivoting of the treatment head relative to the handle. A sensor, such as, e.g., a Hall sensor, fixedly secured with respect to one of the handle and the treatment head, measures a measurement variable. A sensor cooperation unit defines or influences the measurement variable in dependence on the relative position of the sensor and the sensor cooperation unit, such e.g., as a sensor permanent magnet, fixedly secured relative to one of the handle and the treatment head. A spring unit defines a rest position of the treatment head when no treatment force is applied. The spring unit has a first spring constant in the treatment direction and a second spring constant in a lateral direction, the second spring constant being at least about two times higher than the first spring constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Norbert SCHAEFER, Thomas FRITSCH, Andreas KRAMP, Andreas LARSCHEID, Marc KUNZ, Robert SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 11793619
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a drive unit having a support, a stator fixedly mounted at the support, and an armature spring-mounted at the support for driven linear oscillating motion along a first longitudinal direction parallel to or coinciding with an x-axis of an x-y-z coordinate system. The armature has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xa, ya, za], and a drive shaft fixedly coupled with the armature and having a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xd, yd, zd]. A first treatment head assembly, detachably connected to the drive shaft, has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xt1, yt1, zt1]. A secondary mass element, spring-mounted at the support for essentially linear oscillating motion along the first longitudinal direction, has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xm, ym, zm].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Uwe Schober, Robert Schäfer, Matthias Paschold, Tobias Schwarz
  • Patent number: 11751678
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle and a treatment head pivotably connected with the handle. Applying a treatment force against the treatment head causes a pivoting of the treatment head relative to the handle. A sensor, such as, e.g., a Hall sensor, fixedly secured with respect to one of the handle and the treatment head, measures a measurement variable. A sensor cooperation unit defines or influences the measurement variable in dependence on the relative position of the sensor and the sensor cooperation unit, such e.g., as a sensor permanent magnet, fixedly secured relative to one of the handle and the treatment head. A spring unit defines a rest position of the treatment head when no treatment force is applied. The spring unit has a first spring constant in the treatment direction and a second spring constant in a lateral direction, the second spring constant being at least about two times higher than the first spring constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Thomas Fritsch, Andreas Kramp, Andreas Larscheid, Marc Kunz, Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 11648692
    Abstract: A personal care product system having a personal care product stand and a handle is provided. The handle can be docked with the personal care product stand when not in use. The position of the handle relative to the personal care product stand is maintained by a docking magnet in the handle and a docking magnet in the personal care product stand. The handle is tilted with respect to a vertical axis and a majority of the handle is unsupported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: The Gillette Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Christoph Zegula, Matthias Paschold, Christian Litterst, Judith von Dahlen
  • Patent number: 11648693
    Abstract: A personal care product system having a stand and a handle is provided. The handle can be docked with the stand when not in use. The position of the handle relative to the stand is maintained by a docking magnet in the handle and a docking magnet in the stand. The stand includes a base having a stand resting plane and an opposing top surface. The handle extends upward from the opposing top surface of the stand and is tilted with respect to a vertical axis with a majority of the handle being unsupported. A handle resting plane intersects the stand resting plane at an included angle of less than 90 degrees, and an axis of polarity of the docking magnet in the handle intersects the handle resting plane at an included angle between 15 and 35 degrees to facilitate the tilted position of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Christoph Zegula, Matthias Paschold, Christian Litterst, Judith von Dahlen
  • Publication number: 20230138203
    Abstract: A cable that includes a first tubular body defining a first lumen therethrough, a tubular purge body disposed within the first lumen and extending along at least a portion of a length of the first lumen, the tubular purge body defining a purge lumen arranged to transfer a fluid therethrough, and at least one tubular electrical wire body disposed within the first lumen, each tubular electrical wire body defining an electrical wire lumen therethrough for receiving one or more electrical wires. The cable may also include one or more overmolds and one or more cases. The cable may be operably connected between a handle for a medical device and a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: ABIOMED, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Theodore Bazdanes, Robert Schaefer, Vincent Roy, Emilia Jahangir
  • Patent number: 11517347
    Abstract: An introducer system for use with a navigation probe. The introducer system has an introducer and a probe retainer configured to selectively connect to the introducer. The probe retainer includes a receiver configured to receive a navigation probe shaft and limit movement of the navigation probe shaft in the lateral direction. A first clamp and a second clamp are connected to the receiver with the receiver located between the first clamp and the second clamp. Each of the first clamp and the second clamp is selectively engageable with respective portions of the introducer sidewall to hold the receiver at a fixed location relative to the introducer. The receiver, the first clamp, and the second clamp are configured to provide a visual path through the probe retainer and into the introducer passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Vycor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cantor, Robert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11472614
    Abstract: A two-part disposable, stackable and recloseable lid for a container holding a beverage. The lid has a dome configuration for higher volume beverages. The lid has a drinking aperture and an a moveable arm with a plug to seal the drinking aperture. The lid has a recess for storing the plug end of the arm when the drinking aperture is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: LIDWORKS, CO.
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Ugo Mazzarolo
  • Patent number: 11476708
    Abstract: A personal care product system is provided. The personal care product system has a stand that has a first stand permanent docking magnet. A stand inductive charging coil is also positioned within the stand. A handle that has a first handle permanent docking magnet is removably mounted to the stand. A handle inductive charging coil is positioned within the handle. A handle flux guiding member is in close proximity to a surface of the first handle permanent docking magnet to direct a magnetic field away from the inductive charging coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Klaus Heubach, Jian Wang, Norbert Broemse
  • Publication number: 20220063118
    Abstract: A personal care product system having a stand and a handle is provided. The handle can be docked with the stand when not in use. The position of the handle relative to the stand is maintained by a docking magnet in the handle and a docking magnet in the stand. The stand includes a base having a stand resting plane and an opposing top surface. The handle extends upward from the opposing top surface of the stand and is tilted with respect to a vertical axis with a majority of the handle being unsupported. A handle resting plane intersects the stand resting plane at an included angle of less than 90 degrees, and an axis of polarity of the docking magnet in the handle intersects the handle resting plane at an included angle between 15 and 35 degrees to facilitate the tilted position of the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Christoph Zegula, Matthias Paschold, Christian Litterst, Judith von Dahlen
  • Patent number: 11253055
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle and a treatment head mounted for movement relative to the handle against a spring force when a treatment force is applied in at least one treatment direction onto the treatment head. A treatment force measurement unit for determining the applied treatment force includes a capacitive force senor having a first electrode fixedly mounted with respect to the handle and a second electrode mounted at a distance from the first electrode. The second electrode is movably mounted with respect to the handle. A spring unit is arranged between the first and the second electrode. A control circuit determines at least one parameter indicative of the capacitance between the first and second electrodes, wherein the second electrode is mechanically coupled with the treatment head and is arranged to be moved relative to the first electrode when the treatment force is applied at the treatment head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Schäfer, Felix Merten
  • Publication number: 20220032037
    Abstract: Improved securement devices for use with intracardiac blood pump assemblies are provided. The present technology provides securement devices that may be used with a sheath assembly (e.g., an introducer sheath assembly, repositioning sheath assembly), and which are configured to restrict movement of an object (e.g., the catheter of the pump assembly) within the sheath assembly except when a mechanism (e.g., button) of the securement device is actively being actuated (e.g., pressed, held, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: ABIOMED, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Sheils, Cristine Gracinda Rodrigues-Brimmers, Robert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20220001090
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method and system for detecting a change in fluid dynamics of a fluid flowing through an extra-corporeal circuit is disclosed, which includes establishing an acoustic wave resonance across a transverse dimension of at least a portion of a line associated with the extra-corporeal circuit through which the fluid flows, monitoring a phase signal of the resonant acoustic wave, and identifying occurrence of a change in fluid dynamics of the flowing fluid when the observed phase signal of the resonant acoustic wave indicates a deviation from the expected fluid flow signature. The change in fluid dynamics can be used to indicate a venous needle dislodgement event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Robert SCHAEFER, Gareth T. Schaefer, Scott Macintosh, Dipen N. Sinha, Peter G. Espina, Martin J. Crnkovich
  • Publication number: 20210401457
    Abstract: A surgical introducer system having an outer introducer sidewall extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal introducer end to a distal introducer end, an inner introducer sidewall extending within the outer introducer sidewall along the longitudinal axis and forming an introducer passage extending in a distal direction from a proximal passage opening at the proximal introducer end to an introducer passage end wall located proximal to the distal introducer end, and an end wall passage extending from the introducer passage end wall towards the distal introducer end. The introducer end wall passage joins the introducer end wall at one or more end wall edges defining an axial stop ring configured to contact the distal tip of a navigation probe between the probe shaft and a terminal end of the distal probe tip at a line of contact to thereby prevent movement of the navigation probe in the distal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Vycor Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11045182
    Abstract: A surgical introducer system having a sidewall that forms an introducer passage, and a probe receptacle at the distal end of the introducer. The probe receptacle begins at a proximal end and terminates at a distal end with the proximal receptacle end being between the distal receptacle end and the proximal introducer end. The receptacle's inner surface tapers continuously from the proximal end to the distal receptacle end, with the lateral size being greater at the proximal receptacle end. The inner surface receives the distal tip of a navigation probe and restricts movement of the distal probe tip in the lateral direction, and the sidewall is spaced from the navigation probe shaft to allow the shaft to move in the lateral direction within the passage when the distal probe tip is positioned in the probe receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Vycor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cantor, Robert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 11025093
    Abstract: A personal care product system is provided. The personal care product system has a stand that has a first and second stand permanent docking magnet. A stand inductive charging coil is also positioned within the stand. A handle that has first and second handle permanent docking magnets is removably mounted to the stand. A handle inductive charging coil is positioned within the handle. The handle has a first handle flux guiding member and a second handle flux guiding member. The stand has a first stand flux guiding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Klaus Heubach, Jian Wang, Norbert Broemse
  • Patent number: D995764
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Theodore Bazdanes, Robert Schaefer, Vincent Roy
  • Patent number: D994879
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Theodore Bazdanes, Robert Schaefer, Vincent Roy
  • Patent number: D994880
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Theodore Bazdanes, Robert Schaefer, Vincent Roy