Patents by Inventor Thomas Kienzle

Thomas Kienzle 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: 8049606
    Abstract: A method for the assigning of identification codes that are sent in radio signals by tire pressure monitoring devices at the wheels of a vehicle and that are received by a receiver provided in or at the vehicle, which signals are relayed to an evaluation unit connected to the receiver, in which unit is stored a specific identification code for every wheel position of the vehicle and wherein the stored identification codes are compared with identification codes in subsequently sent radio signals, whereby for the storage of the identification code of the tire pressure monitoring device of a chosen wheel the specific wheel position intended for the chosen wheel is entered at a control unit, whis is in communication connection with the evaluation unit, subsequently the tire pressure monitoring device of the chosen wheel is caused to send a radio signal containing its identification code, this radio signal is received and the therein contained identification code is stored in the evaluation unit or in the control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: BERU Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mark Braun, Ulrich Haefele, Thomas Kienzle
  • Publication number: 20080129479
    Abstract: A method for the assigning of identification codes that are sent in radio signals by tire pressure monitoring devices at the wheels of a vehicle and that are received by a receiver provided in or at the vehicle, which signals are relayed to an evaluation unit connected to the receiver, in which unit is stored a specific identification code for every wheel position of the vehicle and wherein the stored identification codes are compared with identification codes in subsequently sent radio signals, whereby for the storage of the identification code of the tire pressure monitoring device of a chosen wheel the specific wheel position intended for the chosen wheel is entered at a control unit, this is in communication connection with the evaluation unit, subsequently the tire pressure monitoring device of the chosen wheel is caused to send a radio signal containing its identification code, this radio signal is received and the therein contained identification code is stored in the evaluation unit or in the control
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Braun, Ulrich Haefele, Thomas Kienzle
  • Publication number: 20060122495
    Abstract: A system for tracking the position of an instrument relative to an area of interest includes a first fixator configured to carry first and second localizing devices. A second fixator is configured to carry the first localizing device. A third localizing device communicates with the first localizing device and the second localizing device communicates with the first localizing device such that the position of the second localizing device can be determined relative to the position of the third localizing device. The second localizing device is attachable to the instrument and the first localizing device is attachable to the first fixator such that the first localizing device communicates with the second localizing device on the instrument in order that the position of the second localizing device on the instrument can be determined relative to the third localizing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Kienzle
  • Publication number: 20060020915
    Abstract: A system and method for an improved surgical workflow development includes creating and editing a modifiable module used to direct a medical procedure through a sequence of images and functions included in the module. A plurality of users may review and/or evaluate the module to determine what, if any, edits to the module are required. Evaluations of the module may include a research evaluation, a cadaver evaluation or a clinical evaluation. A scripting tool may be used to create or edit the module, where the scripting tool includes a computer programming software application. The module may be stored on a computer-readable memory accessible by a plurality of computers and/or display devices connected to a network. In this way, the system and method provide for rapid dynamic development of surgical workflows contained in modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: Charles Lloyd, Gregory Stern, Thomas Kienzle, Jon Lea
  • Publication number: 20060015031
    Abstract: A system and method for tracking progress of insertion of a rod in a bone includes a bone fragment including a central canal, a plurality of sensors including first and second sensors, and a computer. The first sensor is attached to the rod and the second sensor is attached to the bone fragment. The rod is inserted into the central canal of the bone fragment. The computer displays a location of the rod in the central canal. The location is based on at least a pose of the central canal relative to the second sensor, dimensional data of the rod relative to the first sensor, and tracking data provided by the sensors. The tracking data includes a position of the first sensor relative to the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Kienzle
  • Publication number: 20050288679
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system is described for assisting a surgeon in aligning a drill with the interlocking holes of an implanted intramedullary (IM) rod used for fixation of long bone fractures. With the IM rod inserted, a localizing device measures the pose of a tracked adapter attached to the rod's exposed end. Approximate AP and lateral fluoroscopic x-ray images are acquired of the end of the rod with the interlocking holes. Image processing algorithms determine the actual position of the rod and calculate an adjustment to the pose of the tracked adapter and IM rod. Using the adjusted pose information, the system displays, in three roughly orthogonal views, a representation of the drill trajectory relative to the images of the IM rod and relative to a graphic representation of the IM rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Kienzle
  • Publication number: 20050251113
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system for positioning a surgical implant within a patient's body that includes a localizing device configured to measure a pose of the surgical implant, an imaging device adapted for acquiring images of the surgical implant, and a computer adapted for calculating an adjusted pose for the surgical implant based on information developed from the images so as to compensate for deformation of the surgical implant or inaccuracies in localization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Kienzle
  • Publication number: 20050148855
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system with is enhanced graphics features is described for assisting a surgeon in orthopaedic procedures. A system is described for use in inserting multiple guide pins in hip fracture surgery using a single bore drill guide that has a graphical representation comprising its real trajectory and one or more virtual trajectories, the virtual trajectories representing potential positions of other guide pins to be placed during the procedure. Additionally, representations of inserted guide pins and virtual trajectories may be retained on the display at their inserted positions for use in aligning subsequent guide pins. A system is also described for orientation of an acetabular cup in a total hip replacement surgery. During cup insertion, the surgeon is provided with information regarding the orientation of the cup with respect to a pelvic reference frame that is based on accepted pelvic landmarks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Kienzle
  • Publication number: 20050119561
    Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system with is enhanced graphics features is described for assisting a surgeon in orthopaedic procedures. A system is described for use in inserting multiple guide pins in hip fracture surgery using a single bore drill guide that has a graphical representation comprising its real trajectory and one or more virtual trajectories, the virtual trajectories representing potential positions of other guide pins to be placed during the procedure. Additionally, representations of inserted guide pins and virtual trajectories may be retained on the display at their inserted positions for use in aligning subsequent guide pins. A system is also described for orientation of an acetabular cup in a total hip replacement surgery. During cup insertion, the surgeon is provided with information regarding the orientation of the cup with respect to a pelvic reference frame that is based on accepted pelvic landmarks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Kienzle