Patents by Inventor Thomas Franz

Thomas Franz 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: 7799044
    Abstract: A powered surgical apparatus can be used with a source of irrigation fluid and a source of suction. The powered surgical apparatus can include a cutting blade assembly and a handle. The handle can include an upper portion defining a distal section connectable to the cutting blade assembly and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion. The handle can be connectable to the source of irrigation fluid and the source of suction. The system can also include a manually actuable input device that provides at least one signal relevant to at least one operation of the system, and a controller that receives the at least one input signal and provides an output signal to perform the at least one operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Gyrus ENT L.L.C.
    Inventors: Constance Elaine Johnston, Phillip Andrew Ryan, Carrie Deanne Mills, Perry Robin Mykleby, Andrew Christopher Burroughs, Benjamin Leo Rush, Tasos George Karahalios, Jacob Shieffelin Brauer, Rodney Hal Monson, Eric Christopher Sugalski, Dickon Isaacs, James Gerard Tappel, Thomas Franz Enders, Benjamin Mark Chow, Energy Cruse, II, Scott Andrew Brenneman
  • Publication number: 20100206477
    Abstract: A hydrosilylation curable composition containing a comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of an organic polymer haying on average at least 1.4 alkenyl groups per molecule; (B) an amount sufficient to cure the composition of a crosslinker having on average at least 1.4 Si—H groups per molecule; (C) a platinum group metal-containing catalyst in an amount sufficient to effect curing of the composition; (D) 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Andreas Stammer, Andreas Thomas Franz Wolf
  • Patent number: 7761995
    Abstract: A gear wheel includes multiple helical toothings, each having a different helical angle. A pressing method for molding a gear wheel involves introducing a compactable material into a chamber of a pressing tool, compacting the material, exposing the helical toothings of the gear wheel, and removing the molded body from the pressing tool. A pressing tool for pressing, as one part, a gear wheel, includes a matrix, cylindrical first and second molding tool parts which can be translated along and then rotated about a longitudinal axis, and a driver coupled to the molding tool parts or driving them. The molding tool parts can be moved towards and away from each other and the inner surface of the matrix delimits the chamber and is shaped to allow a linear axial sliding movement of the compactable material relative to the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schwaebische Huettenwerke Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Arlt, Gerhard Subek, Thomas Franz, Christian Reimann, Otto Stock, Anton Eiberger
  • Publication number: 20100026018
    Abstract: A lock knob for covering an end of a lock rod protruding through a door of a motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The lock knob includes a first knob portion. The lock knob also includes a second knob portion. The lock knob also includes a multi-stage locking structure operable to engage the first knob portion and the second knob portion together in a first configuration. When the first and second knob portions are in the first configuration, the end of the lock rod can be slidably received between the first knob portion and the second knob portion. The multi-stage locking structure is also operable to engage the first knob portion and the second knob portion together in a second configuration. When the first and second knob portions are in the second configuration, the lock rod is fixed relative to the first knob portion and to the second knob portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Charles Daniel Bailey, Michael Cass, Jeffrey Allen Borchers, Don Stacherski, Thomas Franz Josef Gehring
  • Publication number: 20090306764
    Abstract: A graft includes a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a blood vessel segment, carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Peter P. Zilla, Nasser Rafiee, Deon Bezuidenhout, Thomas Franz, Mark Yeoman, Hellmut Bowles, Nareak Douk, Michael F. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090163987
    Abstract: A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Peter P. Zilla, Nasser Rafiee, Deon Bezuidenhout, Thomas Franz, Mark Yeoman, Hellmut Bowles, Narenk Douk, Michael F. Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090036046
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing that defines an air passageway with an inlet and outlet, and a porous layer of material that overlies the air passageway outlet and hides the air duct outlet from view. The porous layer of material is configured to soften and diffuse an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet and/or to cause an air stream flowing through the air passageway outlet to be directed in one or more directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Franz Josef Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic
  • Patent number: 7473263
    Abstract: A powered surgical apparatus can be used with a source of irrigation fluid and a source of suction. The powered surgical apparatus can include a cutting blade assembly and a handle. The handle can include an upper portion defining a distal section connectable to the cutting blade assembly and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion. The handle can be connectable to the source of irrigation fluid and the source of suction. The system can also include a manually actuable input device that provides at least one signal relevant to at least one operation of the system, and a controller that receives the at least one input signal and provides an output signal to perform the at least one operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Gyrus Ent L.L.C.
    Inventors: Constance Elaine Johnston, Phillip Andrew Ryan, Carrie Deanne Mills, Perry Robin Mykleby, Andrew Christopher Burroughs, Benjamin Leo Rush, Tasos George Karahalios, Jacob Shieffelin Brauer, Rodney Hal Monson, Eric Christopher Sugalski, Dickon Isaacs, James Gerard Tappel, Thomas Franz Enders, Benjamin Mark Chow, Energy Cruse, II, Scott Andrew Brenneman
  • Patent number: 7462187
    Abstract: A powered surgical apparatus can be used with a source of irrigation fluid and a source of suction. The powered surgical apparatus can include a cutting blade assembly and a handle. The handle can include an upper portion defining a distal section connectable to the cutting blade assembly and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion. The handle can be connectable to the source of irrigation fluid and the source of suction. The system can also include a manually actuable input device that provides at least one signal relevant to at least one operation of the system, and a controller that receives the at least one input signal and provides an output signal to perform the at least one operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Gyrus ENT L.L.C.
    Inventors: Constance Elaine Johnston, Phillip Andrew Ryan, Carrie Deanne Mills, Perry Robin Mykleby, Andrew Christopher Burroughs, Benjamin Leo Rush, Tasos George Karahalios, Jacob Shieffelin Brauer, Rodney Hal Monson, Eric Christopher Sugalski, Dickon Isaacs, James Gerard Tappel, Thomas Franz Enders, Benjamin Mark Chow, Energy Cruse, II, Scott Andrew Brenneman
  • Patent number: 7455581
    Abstract: An air duct outlet includes a housing having a front wall with an opening therein through which air flows. A louver assembly is operably coupled with the housing and includes a first set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing, and a second set of louvers pivotally secured within the housing. A joystick is remotely positioned relative to the front wall opening away from the front wall opening. The joystick is operably coupled with the first and second sets of louvers and is configured to pivot the first and second sets of louvers in response to user movement thereof. The joystick is connected to the first set of louvers via a shaft and is connected to the second set of louvers via multiple interconnected linkages. The linkages are configured to allow the joystick to move the first set of louvers without moving the second set of louvers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Franz Josef Gehring, Ireneusz Jankowski, Dejan Havidic, Jeffrey A. McKerrall
  • Patent number: 7416539
    Abstract: A powered surgical apparatus can be used with a source of irrigation fluid and a source of suction. The powered surgical apparatus can include a cutting blade assembly and a handle. The handle can include an upper portion defining a distal section connectable to the cutting blade assembly and a lower portion extending downwardly from the upper portion. The handle can be connectable to the source of irrigation fluid and the source of suction. The system can also include a manually actuable input device that provides at least one signal relevant to at least one operation of the system, and a controller that receives the at least one input signal and provides an output signal to perform the at least one operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Gyrus Ent L.L.C.
    Inventors: Constance Elaine Johnston, Phillip Andrew Ryan, Carrie Deanne Mills, Perry Robin Mykleby, Andrew Christopher Burroughs, Benjamin Leo Rush, Tasos George Karahalios, Jacob Shieffelin Brauer, Rodney Hal Monson, Eric Christopher Sugalski, Dickon Isaacs, James Gerard Tappel, Thomas Franz Enders, Benjamin Mark Chow, Energy Cruse, II, Scott Andrew Brenneman
  • Publication number: 20070293932
    Abstract: Stents and methods of using stents are provided. Stents of the invention provide external support structure for a blood vessel segment disposed within, wherein the stents are capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. The stent may be formed of a knitted or braided mesh formed so as to provide the needed compliance properties. A venous graft with the stent and a vein segment disposed within is provided, wherein graft is capable of mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. Methods of selecting stents for downsizing and methods of using the stents of the invention in downsizing and smoothening are provided. Methods of replacing a section of an artery with a venous graft including a stent of the invention are provided. Methods of reducing intimal hyperplasia in implanted vein segment in a venous graft using stents of the invention are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Zilla, Nasser Rafiee, Deon Bezuidenhout, Thomas Franz, Mark Yeoman, Hellmut Bowles, Nareak Douk, Michael Wolf, Paul Human
  • Publication number: 20070028446
    Abstract: A gear wheel includes multiple helical toothings, each having a different helical angle. A pressing method for molding a gear wheel involves introducing a compactable material into a chamber of a pressing tool, compacting the material, exposing the helical toothings of the gear wheel, and removing the molded body from the pressing tool. A pressing tool for pressing, as one part, a gear wheel, includes a matrix, cylindrical first and second molding tool parts which can be translated along and then rotated about a longitudinal axis, and a driver coupled to the molding tool parts or driving them. The molding tool parts can be moved towards and away from each other and the inner surface of the matrix delimits the chamber and is shaped to allow a linear axial sliding movement of the compactable material relative to the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Manfred Arit, Gerhard Subek, Thomas Franz, Christian Reimann, Otto Stock, Anton Eiberger
  • Patent number: 7140269
    Abstract: A gear wheel includes multiple helical toothings, each having a different helical angle. A pressing method for molding a gear wheel involves introducing a compactable material into a chamber of a pressing tool, compacting the material, exposing the helical toothings of the gear wheel, and removing the molded body from the pressing tool. A pressing tool for pressing, as one part, a gear wheel, includes a matrix, cylindrical first and second molding tool parts which can be translated along and then rotated about a longitudinal axis, and a driver coupled to the molding tool parts or driving them. The molding tool parts can be moved towards and away from each other and the inner surface of the matrix delimits the chamber and is shaped to allow a linear axial sliding movement of the compactable material relative to the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Arlt, Gerhard Subek, Thomas Franz, Christian Reimann, Otto Stock, Anton Eiberger
  • Publication number: 20060255302
    Abstract: In an adjustment method and an adjustment device for an actuator of a valve, in particular for a piezoelectric actuator of an injection valve for an internal combustion engine, wherein the actuator is charged to various charge states, following a given control procedure, which each correspond to a position of the valve. The control procedure is regulated in dependence on a regulation parameter. The regulation parameter describes the charge state of the actuator and/or the valve position and, in addition, an external measured parameter, namely the pressure on the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Josef Aspelmayr, Bernd Falke, Thomas Franz, Diego Lobus, Walter Schrod
  • Publication number: 20060169917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sample holder for a mass spectrometer onto which a mixture of silicone and graphite is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Europaeisches Laboratorium Fuer Molekularbiologie (EMBL)
    Inventor: Thomas Franz
  • Publication number: 20050131520
    Abstract: A graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a blood vessel segment, e.g., a vein segment, carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Zilla, Nasser Rafiee, Deon Bezuidenhout, Thomas Franz, Mark Yeoman, Hellmut Bowles, Nareak Douk, Michael Wolf
  • Patent number: 6892946
    Abstract: A document-examining apparatus is provided for automatically examining the authenticity elements of secured documents. It includes a compound slide which can be moved in the X and Y directions and on which the components required to evaluate the distinguishing authenticity features are mounted. The X slide of the compound slide is mounted on a Y slide. A first group of evaluating units for evaluating diffraction elements on a document is disposed on the X slide. A second group of evaluating components, for example, for evaluating text, an IR field and/or a photographic field, may be mounted on the Y slide. In addition, a source of UV radiation may be provided for examining distinguishing fluorescence features of a document, the fluorescence being evaluated by a stationary evaluating unit or by the evaluating unit on the X slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Massen, Thomas Franz, Thomas Leitner, Jörg Eberhardt
  • Publication number: 20050070995
    Abstract: A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Zilla, Nasser Rafiee, Deon Bezuidenhout, Thomas Franz, Mark Yeoman, Hellmut Bowles, Nareak Douk, Michael Wolf
  • Patent number: 6750465
    Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating distinguishing authenticity features comprising diffraction elements on a document which is illuminated by an illumination source. The distinguishing authenticity element which is to be examined, diffracts the beam of the illuminating source and projects it onto an evaluating unit in the device. In order to be independent of the nature and location of the diffraction pattern, the diffraction pattern derived from the document to be examined is projected onto a screen and the image of the pattern recorded and evaluated by a camera (matrix or cells).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Bundesdruckerei GmbH
    Inventors: Arnim Franz-Burgholz, Roland Gutmann, Harald Hoeppner, Thomas Löer, Detlef Märtens, Günther Dausmann, Zishao Yang, Robert Massen, Thomas Franz, Thomas Leitner, Jörg Eberhardt