Patents by Inventor Stefan Schuster

Stefan Schuster 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: 9943962
    Abstract: A robotic medical apparatus includes a kinematic chain including a stand unit, an articulation device, a positioning device, and a positionable end effector. The apparatus further includes a controller to control the positioning device. The robotic medical apparatus includes a measurement system to determine a force and/or a torque. The force and/or the torque is essentially acting at one point in the kinematic chain. A measurement signal from the measurement system is transmittable to the controller. The controller is configured to determine the force and/or torque that is acting, and as a function of a current position and/or of a current kinematic state, to determine a nominal force and/or a nominal torque. As a function of the difference between the force that is acting and/or the torque that is acting that has been determined and the nominal force and/or the nominal torque that has been determined, a collision is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster
  • Patent number: 9888977
    Abstract: A medical sterile container includes a tray-like first container part, a lid-type second container part, a fastener and a ventilation valve to ventilate a container interior surrounded by the first container part and the second container part. The fastener is mounted on one of the container parts so as to be pivotable between a closed position, in which the container parts are locked to one another by the fastener, and an open position in which the container parts are unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Stefan Thomas, Serkan Bellikli, John Gray-Dreizler, Matthias Schweizer, Stefan Schuster, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Publication number: 20170360976
    Abstract: A closure for a medical sterile container having a trough-like first container part and a lid-type second container part includes a closure flap which can be arranged on one of the container parts so as to be able to pivot between a closed position, in which the container parts are interlocked with each other by the closure, and an open position in which the container parts are unlocked. The closure includes a latch element which in the closed position of the closure interlocks the closure flap with the other container part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stefan Thomas, Serkan Bellikli, Matthias Schweizer, Stefan Schuster, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 9797790
    Abstract: A medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device is provided. The medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device includes a cover panel. The cover panel includes a sensor for detecting a collision. The sensor includes a first plate mounted on the examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device, and a second plate mounted on the inside of the cover panel and spaced apart from the first plate. Spring elements are disposed between the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robin Kusch, Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster
  • Publication number: 20170269050
    Abstract: A lance and a method determine reaction data of the course of a reaction, in which a reaction gas is top-blown by at least one lance onto a metallic melt in a metallurgical vessel and measured data are determined in this way, reaction data for the course of the reaction are determined as a function of these, where the lance for determining measured data blows out a gas which is conveyed separately from the reaction gas through at least one outlet opening of at least one measuring conduit. The lance for determining measured data blows out the gas which is conveyed separately from the reaction gas laterally through at least one outlet opening of at least one measuring conduit and the internal pressure of at least one gas bubble of this gas formed at this outlet opening of the respective measuring conduit is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: VOESTALPINE STAHL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan SCHUSTER, Gunter LENGAUER, Harald PANHOFER
  • Publication number: 20170184421
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting proximity to and collisions with medical devices. A capacitive sensor element includes a compressible insulator layer that has a first conductor track arrangement on a first surface and a second conductor track arrangement on a second surface. The second surface lies opposite the first surface. The sensor apparatus further includes an evaluation device for repeated acquisition of a capacitance value of the sensor element. The evaluation device is configured to output a proximity signal when the respective capacitance value reaches or exceeds a predetermined first threshold value, and is configured to output a collision signal when the respective capacitance value reaches or exceeds a predetermined second threshold value. The second predetermined threshold value is higher than the first predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster, Philipp Surm
  • Patent number: 9691966
    Abstract: An apparatus assembly of a medical apparatus is equipped for collision detection by attaching a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) cover assembly to at least one rigid surface of the apparatus assembly, with a resilient material between the PVDF cover assembly and the rigid surface. The PVDF assembly is composed of a PVDF foil with electrically conductive layers on opposite sides thereof. A protective layer covers the PVDF cover assembly. Electrical leads are connected to the conductive layers, and the piezoelectric property of the PVDF foil produces a voltage across the leads when a force associated with a collision acts on the PVDF foil. A detection circuit detects this voltage and initiates an appropriate response to the collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster
  • Patent number: 9649399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical seal for a medical sterilizing container having a container bottom part and a container top part for closing the container bottom part. Said seal is formed so as to be closed within itself and is adapted to be arranged on and extend around the container top part and comprises a sealing element holder body for fixation to the container top part and two sealing lips arranged on and extending around the sealing element holder body. At least one of the sealing lips is held or mounted in an articulated manner on the sealing element holder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weisshaupt, Stefan Schuster, Stefan Thomas, Gerhard Aicher, Gerold Zieris
  • Patent number: 9642584
    Abstract: A method for controlling a movement of an x-ray apparatus is provided. The x-ray apparatus has a C-arm with an x-ray source and an x-ray detector disposed opposite one another, an actuator for positioning the C-arm relative to an examination region of an examination object supported on a support facility, a control facility for controlling the x-ray source and the x-ray detector and the actuator, and an operating facility with a display apparatus and an operating unit. The display apparatus displays an image representing a part of the examination object and a target location of the C-arm being determined as a function of an input at the operating unit. The target location has a target position and a target alignment of the C-arm. A controlled variable of the actuator is determined and supplied to the control facility for controlling the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christine Niebler, Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster
  • Patent number: 9572905
    Abstract: A sterile display for a sterile container includes a thermally actuatable display apparatus for the display of a first and a second sterility condition of the sterile container. The display apparatus includes an adjustment mechanism having an actuator element which can be transferred, by external heating, from a first stress state in which the first sterility condition can be displayed, to a second stress state in which the second sterility condition can be displayed. The adjustment mechanism includes a thermo-bimetal element wherein, by its actuation, the actuator element of the adjustment mechanism can be transferred from the first stress state to the second stress state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Peter Schulz, Stefan Schuster, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 9533061
    Abstract: A surgical sterilizing container tub is provided on which a sterilizing container lid is adapted to be detachably fitted for formation of a surgical sterilizing container for holding surgical instruments for sterilization. The sterilizing container tub has a bottom and a container wall projecting from the bottom. The sterilizing container tub defines a set-down plane, and the bottom forms a fluid collection area for collecting fluid. In order to provide such a surgical sterilizing container tub and such a surgical sterilizing container with which fluid to be removed can be effectively conducted to the fluid collection area, the bottom has a fluid drainage surface which is inclined relative to the set-down plane and is in fluid connection with the fluid collection area for draining fluid in the direction of the container wall. A surgical sterilizing container is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: John Gray-Dreizler, Wilhelm Gleichauf, Mariana Jakab, Stefan Thomas, Stefan Schuster
  • Publication number: 20160263264
    Abstract: A sterilization indicator for a sterile container includes a shape-memory element in the form of a compression spring, which, when a predetermined temperature is reached or exceeded, subjects an indicating unit to a defined axial compressive force. The indicating unit is biased by a restoring spring in the counter-direction of the shape-memory element by way of a restoring force which is smaller than the defined axial compressive force. A latching mechanism can be actuated by a closing or locking mechanism of the sterile container. Following or during the closing or locking of the sterile container, the latching mechanism retains the indicating unit in a sterile position, once the unit has been moved into the sterile position by the shape-memory element. Upon opening or unlocking of the sterile container below the sterilization temperature, it frees the indicating unit, whereupon the restoring spring moves the indicating unit back into an unsterile position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Peter Schulz, Stefan Schuster, Stefan Thomas
  • Patent number: 9393077
    Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention, a medical sterile container has a container interior for accommodating articles to be sterilized. The medical sterile container comprises a pressure-activatable sterilization status detection device for detecting a sterilization status of the sterile container. In a second aspect of the invention, a method for determining the sterilization status of a medical sterile container having a container interior for accommodating articles to be sterilized is provided. While the sterile container is undergoing a sterilization process in a sterilization apparatus, pressure differences to which the sterile container is thereby subjected are detected, and the sterilization status sterile is allocated to the sterile container if during the sterilization process a limit value for a pressure gradient per time unit is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventor: Stefan Schuster
  • Patent number: 9393074
    Abstract: A sterile container system for the sterile transport and storage of medical, in particular surgical instruments and/or implants during a sterilization process, includes a closable sterile container which is formed by a lid and a trough, and at least one sieve cage which can be inserted therein, at least one fastening device being present which acts, on the one hand, on one of the medical instruments which can be inserted in the sieve cage, immobilizing the instrument on the sieve cage, and at the same time acts on the sieve cage, immobilizing the latter on the sterile container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Christian Praedel, Rolf Alber, Tiziana Klotz, Dieter Weisshaupt, Stefan Schuster, Corvin Motz, Andrea Blumenstock, Burkhard Loeffler, Rouven Streller
  • Patent number: 9388080
    Abstract: A permanent filter for a medical sterilization container is provided. The permanent filter is made from a ceramic. The ceramic is made from globular substrate grains. A medical sterilization container is also provided, in particular for receiving and storing objects to be sterilized, having a container bottom part and a container top part for closing the container bottom part in a closed position of the sterilization container. At least one of the container bottom part and the container top part have a gas exchange orifice, which is closed with a permanent filter. The permanent filter is made from a ceramic and the ceramic is made from globular substrate grains. In addition, a method is provided for producing a permanent filter for a medical sterilization container. The permanent filter is produced from a ceramic material by sintering. Globular substrate grains are used as the ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weisshaupt, Thomas Weik, Stefan Schuster, John Gray-Dreizler, Wolfgang Burger
  • Publication number: 20160193731
    Abstract: A robotic medical apparatus includes a kinematic chain including a stand unit, an articulation device, a positioning device, and a positionable end effector. The apparatus further includes a controller to control the positioning device. The robotic medical apparatus includes a measurement system to determine a force and/or a torque. The force and/or the torque is essentially acting at one point in the kinematic chain. A measurement signal from the measurement system is transmittable to the controller. The controller is configured to determine the force and/or torque that is acting, and as a function of a current position and/or of a current kinematic state, to determine a nominal force and/or a nominal torque. As a function of the difference between the force that is acting and/or the torque that is acting that has been determined and the nominal force and/or the nominal torque that has been determined, a collision is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster
  • Publication number: 20160166325
    Abstract: A medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device is provided. The medical examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device includes a cover panel. The cover panel includes a sensor for detecting a collision. The sensor includes a first plate mounted on the examination, treatment, or examination and treatment device, and a second plate mounted on the inside of the cover panel and spaced apart from the first plate. Spring elements are disposed between the first plate and the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Robin Kusch, Stefan Sattler, Stefan Schuster
  • Publication number: 20160151123
    Abstract: A medical sterile container includes a tray-like first container part, a lid-type second container part, a fastener and a ventilation valve to ventilate a container interior surrounded by the first container part and the second container part. The fastener is mounted on one of the container parts so as to be pivotable between a closed position, in which the container parts are locked to one another by the fastener, and an open position in which the container parts are unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Thomas, Serkan Bellikli, John Gray-Dreizler, Matthias Schweizer, Stefan Schuster, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Publication number: 20160054282
    Abstract: A lance and a method determine reaction data of the course of a reaction, in which a reaction gas is top-blown by at least one lance onto a metallic melt in a metallurgical vessel and measured data are determined in this way, reaction data for the course of the reaction are determined as a function of these, where the lance for determining measured data blows out a gas which is conveyed separately from the reaction gas through at least one outlet opening of at least one measuring conduit. The lance for determining measured data blows out the gas which is conveyed separately from the reaction gas laterally through at least one outlet opening of at least one measuring conduit and the internal pressure of at least one gas bubble of this gas formed at this outlet opening of the respective measuring conduit is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: VOESTALPINE STAHL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan SCHUSTER, Gunter LENGAUER, Harald PANHOFER
  • Patent number: D757258
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: AESCULAP AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weiβhaupt, Andreas Elisch, Stefan Schuster, Stefan Thomas, Gerold Zieris