Patents by Inventor Roland Thomke

Roland Thomke 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: 9549762
    Abstract: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Stryker European Holdings I, LLC
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Hans-Peter Bigler, Philippe Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8840653
    Abstract: A two-piece clamping element comprises two separate, i.e., non-integral, opposing first and second clamping jaws forming a laterally open cavity to receive a pin or rod-shaped element. Each clamping jaw has a bore aligned with one another to receive a screw, wherein a pivot bearing is arranged opposite said cavity allowing the two opposing clamping jaws to come in contact to one another. The pivot bearing comprises at least one set of complementary part-cylindrical bearing surface portions. An anti-rotation pin extends between the two jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Christian Lutz, Vinzenz Burgherr, Damian Fankhauser
  • Patent number: 8827999
    Abstract: A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Philippe Lehmann, Roland Thomke
  • Patent number: 8657819
    Abstract: An easy to clean clamping device has at least one clamping assembly having two jaws. The jaws form at least one recess to accommodate an element to be clamped along the longitudinal axis of the recess. A locking unit is provided to allow closing of the jaws against the force of a spring element. The locking unit has a shaft extending along an axis and through bores of the jaws. The shaft has a head for operating the clamping action abutting against the uppermost jaw. A locking element is provided having a through bore and which locking element can be arranged between the head and the uppermost jaw. One portion of the locking unit has a larger diameter than the bore of the second jaw and the head of the locking unit has a smaller diameter than the bore of the adjacent jaw. The locking element comprises at least one locking surface which can be brought into positive locking with a corresponding surface of the head for blocking removal of the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Beat Mürner, Robert Wider, Roland Thomke
  • Publication number: 20130331838
    Abstract: A two-piece clamping element comprises two separate, i.e., non-integral, opposing first and second clamping jaws forming a laterally open cavity to receive a pin or rod-shaped element. Each clamping jaw has a bore aligned with one another to receive a screw, wherein a pivot bearing is arranged opposite said cavity allowing the two opposing clamping jaws to come in contact to one another. The pivot bearing comprises at least one set of complementary part-cylindrical bearing surface portions. An anti-rotation pin extends between the two jaw members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Christian Lutz, Vinzenz Burgherr, Damian Fankhauser
  • Patent number: 8523923
    Abstract: A two-piece clamping element comprises two separate, i.e., non-integral, opposing first and second clamping jaws forming a laterally open cavity to receive a pin or rod-shaped element. Each clamping jaw has a bore aligned with one another to receive a screw, wherein a pivot bearing is arranged opposite said cavity allowing the two opposing clamping jaws to come in contact to one another. The pivot bearing comprises at least one set of complementary part-cylindrical bearing surface portions. An anti-rotation pin extends between the two jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Christian Lutz, Vinzenz Burgherr, Damian Fankhauser
  • Patent number: 8444643
    Abstract: An insert (70) for a clamping element with two jaws to clamp a rod-shaped element comprises an inner cavity (144) to accommodate a rod-shaped element and at least one flange element (153) at one longitudinal end of the insert intended to abut against the clamping element. The flange element (153) comprises clamping members (161) to reduce the available room within the inner cavity (144) for the rod-shaped element to be clamped and to clamp the flange element (153) between the rod-shaped element and an outer clamping surface of the clamping element to prohibit any longitudinal movement of the clamped insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Damian Fankhauser
  • Patent number: 8382804
    Abstract: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least one clamp to be introduced into the medical device, the clamp has an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Hans-Peter Bigler, Philippe Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20130006244
    Abstract: A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: STRYKER TRAUMA SA
    Inventors: Philippe Lehmann, Roland Thomke
  • Patent number: 8303587
    Abstract: A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Truama S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Lehmann, Roland Thomke
  • Patent number: 8206388
    Abstract: An insert for a clamping element having two jaws for clamping a rod-shaped element comprises at least one jacket element. The jacket element can be inserted into one jaw each of the clamping element, thereby allowing the varying, especially reducing, the free space available for a rod. The insert also comprises at least one retaining section which fastens at least one part of the insert in or on at least one of the jaws of the clamping element. A clamping element can be provided with two jacket elements, interlinked via an undulated web, or two or three juxtaposed longitudinal grooves for receiving rods having different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Damian Fankhauser
  • Patent number: 8172840
    Abstract: An external fixation component includes two capture members adapted to capture independently a first and a second element of an external fixation system. A rotation member is provided between the two capture members, coupled to both capture members such that the coupling allows the two capture members to rotate about three axes relative to each other. Each capture member comprises a central locking screw extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis of the associated capture member. The rotation member comprises two rotation blockers, each blocker providing one interface surface adapted to be in contact with a complementary interface surface of one of the capture members, each blocker further provides a surface opposite to the interface surface comprising an inner cylindrical surface. The rotation member comprises a central disc element forming a rolling surface as complementary surface to the inner cylindrical surface of the corresponding rotation blocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Beat Mürner, Robert Wider, Roland Thomke, Usha Mathur, Umesh Verma
  • Publication number: 20110087226
    Abstract: An easy to clean clamping device has at least one clamping assembly having two jaws. The jaws form at least one recess to accommodate an element to be clamped along the longitudinal axis of the recess. A locking unit is provided to allow closing of the jaws against the force of a spring element. The locking unit has a shaft extending along an axis and through bores of the jaws. The shaft has a head for operating the clamping action abutting against the uppermost jaw. A locking element is provided having a through bore and which locking element can be arranged between the head and the uppermost jaw. One portion of the locking unit has a larger diameter than the bore of the second jaw and the head of the locking unit has a smaller diameter than the bore of the adjacent jaw. The locking element comprises at least one locking surface which can be brought into positive locking with a corresponding surface of the head for blocking removal of the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: STRYKER TRAUMA SA
    Inventors: Beat Mürner, Robert Wider, Roland Thomke
  • Publication number: 20110066151
    Abstract: An external fixation component includes two capture members adapted to capture independently a first and a second element of an external fixation system. A rotation member is provided between the two capture members, coupled to both capture members such that the coupling allows the two capture members to rotate about three axes relative to each other. Each capture member comprises a central locking screw extending therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis of the associated capture member. The rotation member comprises two rotation blockers, each blocker providing one interface surface adapted to be in contact with a complementary interface surface of one of the capture members, each blocker further provides a surface opposite to the interface surface comprising an inner cylindrical surface. The rotation member comprises a central disc element forming a rolling surface as complementary surface to the inner cylindrical surface of the corresponding rotation blocker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Beat Mürner, Robert Wider, Roland Thomke
  • Patent number: 7806623
    Abstract: An insert for an external fixation has two jaws for clamping a rod-shaped element. The insert includes a locking element and is an angled piece having two free ends, with at least one engagement edge for engagement into the rod-shaped element being provided at its one free end. The insert has a recess or bore for engagement with a locking shaft of the clamp provided at the free end thereof that lies opposite to the free end having the rod engagement edge. The insert is angled so that it may extend through a passageway in one of the jaws and into a cavity formed in the jaw for receiving the rod. The insert rod engaging edges are tapered to bite into the rod to prevent its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Vinzenz Burgherr, Damian Fankhauser
  • Publication number: 20090306661
    Abstract: An insert (70) for a clamping element with two jaws to clamp a rod-shaped element comprises an inner cavity (144) to accommodate a rod-shaped element and at least one flange element (153) at one longitudinal end of the insert intended to abut against the clamping element. The flange element (153) comprises clamping members (161) to reduce the available room within the inner cavity (144) for the rod-shaped element to be clamped and to clamp the flange element (153) between the rod-shaped element and an outer clamping surface of the clamping element to prohibit any longitudinal movement of the clamped insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Damian Frankhauser
  • Patent number: 7618417
    Abstract: A clamping element for the clamping of multiple rod-shaped elements has two opposing jaws, which have a number of corresponding grooves for the acceptance of a corresponding number of rod-shaped elements such as bone pins. Spring elements are provided, with which in the resting position the closed jaws are tensed, to hold the rod-shaped elements in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Vinzenz Burgherr, Christian Lutz, Damian Fankhauser, Clemens Dransfeld, René Fischer
  • Publication number: 20090148232
    Abstract: An insert for an external fixation has two jaws for clamping a rod-shaped element. The insert includes a locking element and is an angled piece having two free ends, with at least one engagement edge for engagement into the rod-shaped element being provided at its one free end. The insert has a recess or bore for engagement with a locking shaft of the clamp provided at the free end thereof that lies opposite to the free end having the rod engagement edge. The insert is angled so that it may extend through a passageway in one of the jaws and into a cavity formed in the jaw for receiving the rod. The insert rod engaging edges are tapered to bite into the rod to prevent its movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Vinzenz Burgherr, Damian Fankhauser
  • Patent number: 7491008
    Abstract: An insert for an external fixation has two jaws for clamping a rod-shaped element. The insert includes a locking element and is an angled piece having two free ends, with at least one engagement edge for engagement into the rod-shaped element being provided at its one free end. The insert has a recess or bore for engagement with a locking shaft of the clamp provided at the free end thereof that lies opposite to the free end having the rod engagement edge. The insert is angled so that it may extend through a passageway in one of the jaws and into a cavity formed in the jaw for receiving the rod. The insert rod engaging edges are tapered to bite into the rod to prevent its movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Trauma S.A.
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Vinzenz Burgherr, Damian Fankhauser
  • Publication number: 20080215053
    Abstract: A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Stryker Trauma SA
    Inventors: Roland Thomke, Hans-Peter Bigler, Philippe Lehmann