Patents by Inventor Thomas Pleil

Thomas Pleil 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: 20230255637
    Abstract: A medical clip includes a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and a biasing element with a first and a second end. The first clamping arm has a first clamping arm end, which is connected to the first end of the biasing element by way of a first connecting portion. The second clamping arm has a second clamping arm end, which is connected to the second end of the biasing element by way of a second connecting portion. The clip includes a box lock with a connection perforation arranged or formed on the first connecting portion and a connection portion comprised by the second connecting portion and passing through the connection perforation. The first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are maximally proximate to one another in a basic position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Scholten, Jens Beger, Thomas Pleil, Alexander Happle, Jan Reich, Matthias Schweizer, Thomas Hagen, Natalia Dalmann
  • Publication number: 20230255639
    Abstract: An application system for medical clips includes at least one first application instrument for applying a first type of a medical clip and at least one first medical clip of the first type. The first application instrument includes two first tool elements that are movable relative to one another. The at least one first medical clip of the first type has a first proximal end region and two first connecting portions that distally adjoin the first proximal end region and connect the first proximal end region to two clamping arms of the at least one first clip of the first type that are movable relative to one another. The two first tool elements include between them a first end region receptacle that is open in the distal direction for accommodating the first proximal end region in a positive-locking or substantially positive-locking manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Thomas Scholten, Michael Willmann, Alexander Happle, Jens Beger
  • Publication number: 20230200824
    Abstract: A medical clip includes first and second clamping arms and a biasing element. The first clamping arm is connected to a first end of the biasing element, and the second clamping arm is connected to a second end of the biasing element. The first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are maximally proximate to one another in a basic position of the clip and are movable away from one another against the action of the biasing element from the basic position into an opening position. The medical clip is made partially by a generative manufacturing process, in which the medical clip has at least one first clip portion and at least one second clip portion. The at least one second clip portion is formed directly onto the at least one first clip portion by a generative manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Thomas Scholten, Michael Willmann, Alexander Happle, Jens Beger
  • Patent number: 11642136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical clip, comprising a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and a biasing element, which first clamping arm defines a first clamping surface, which second clamping arm defines a second clamping surface, and which biasing element holds the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface against each other in a basic position, in particular under bias, wherein the first and the second clamping arm are pivotable against each other counter to the action of the biasing element, wherein the biasing element is configured in the form of a coil spring which defines a coil spring longitudinal axis and has a first coil spring end and a second coil spring end, wherein the coil spring comprises between the first coil spring end and the second coil spring end at least one winding extending over a circumferential angle of more than 360°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sauter, Thomas Pleil
  • Patent number: 11478246
    Abstract: A surgical gripping/holding instrument having two instrument branches which are coupled pivotably with respect to one another. Each branch has a distal gripping/holding portion, a proximal instrument actuating portion, and an intermediate region which connects the distal and proximal portions preferably integrally, and having an instrument lock, of which the locking elements which can be brought into latching engagement with one another are arranged or formed on the instrument branches. The actuation of the instrument for opening and closing is functionally separated from actuation of the instrument for locking and unlocking the instrument by the positioning of the instrument lock in the intermediate region of the instrument. Therefore, each actuation can be carried out individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sauter, Thomas Pleil
  • Publication number: 20220257255
    Abstract: A medical sliding shaft instrument includes a tool element carrier, a tubular sliding shaft surrounding the tool element carrier and defining a sliding direction, and an actuating device for moving the sliding shaft relative to the tool element carrier in the distal direction. At least one tool element is arranged or movably mounted on the distal end of the tool element carrier. The at least one tool element is arranged or formed so as to cooperate with a distal end region of the sliding shaft in such a way that the at least one tool element is moved as a result of a movement of the sliding shaft in the distal direction. The sliding shaft instrument further comprises a locking device for blocking a movement of the sliding shaft relative to the tool element carrier in at least one advancing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Richard Mattes, Thomas Pleil
  • Publication number: 20220257337
    Abstract: An implant system includes at least two differing color-coded implants and at least two differing color-coded medical instruments. A color coding of the at least two instruments corresponds to a color coding of the at least two implants. The coding of the at least two medical instruments includes at least one coding element. The at least two medical instruments each comprise a first tool element and at least one second tool element for jointly handling one of the at least two implants. The first tool element and the at least one second tool element are movable relative to one another and are arranged or formed on a distal end of the respective instrument. The at least two instruments each include an actuating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Thomas Scholten
  • Publication number: 20210161530
    Abstract: A surgical gripping/holding instrument having two instrument branches which are coupled pivotably with respect to one another. Each branch has a distal gripping/holding portion, a proximal instrument actuating portion, and an intermediate region which connects the distal and proximal portions preferably integrally, and having an instrument lock, of which the locking elements which can be brought into latching engagement with one another are arranged or formed on the instrument branches. The actuation of the instrument for opening and closing is functionally separated from actuation of the instrument for locking and unlocking the instrument by the positioning of the instrument lock in the intermediate region of the instrument. Therefore, each actuation can be carried out individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Wolfgang SAUTER, Thomas Pleil
  • Publication number: 20200367892
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical clip, comprising a first clamping arm, a second clamping arm, and a biasing element, which first clamping arm defines a first clamping surface, which second clamping arm defines a second clamping surface, and which biasing element holds the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface against each other in a basic position, in particular under bias, wherein the first and the second clamping arm are pivotable against each other counter to the action of the biasing element, wherein the biasing element is configured in the form of a coil spring which defines a coil spring longitudinal axis and has a first coil spring end and a second coil spring end, wherein the coil spring comprises between the first coil spring end and the second coil spring end at least one winding extending over a circumferential angle of more than 360°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sauter, Thomas Pleil
  • Patent number: 10555739
    Abstract: A surgical clip includes a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg, the two clamping legs, when in use, being movable towards each other such that they squeeze a blood vessel shut and are linked to each other via a connecting piece which applies a closing force forcing the two clamping jaws towards each other, with two additional springs being provided in addition to the connecting piece which functions as the main spring and amplifying the closing force, the additional springs being arranged in parallel to the main spring and acting in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Matthias Wand
  • Publication number: 20170296195
    Abstract: A surgical clip includes a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg, the two clamping legs, when in use, being movable towards each other such that they squeeze a blood vessel shut and are linked to each other via a connecting piece which applies a closing force forcing the two clamping jaws towards each other, with two additional springs being provided in addition to the connecting piece which functions as the main spring and amplifying the closing force, the additional springs being arranged in parallel to the main spring and acting in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Matthias Wand
  • Patent number: 9750539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical instrument for applying a bone plate fixing device which comprises a first bone contact element with a rod-shaped connecting member protruding therefrom and defining a longitudinal direction and a second bone contact element which is movable on the connecting member towards the first bone contact element, characterized by a feed apparatus comprising a feed element for application to the second bone contact element, a guide element with a proximal and a distal end for guiding movement of the feed element and a feed mechanism for moving the feed element in the distal direction relative to the guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventor: Thomas Pleil
  • Patent number: 9289216
    Abstract: A surgical clip is provided having two clip arms and a resiliently flexible element via which the two clip arms are connected to each other. The two clip arms each have a first free end, these first free ends being held parallel to and in contact with each other with a predetermined closing force by the resiliently flexible element when the clip is in a rest position. The clip arms are held at a second end opposite the free end on the resiliently flexible element. The clip arms have between their first and second ends sections configured to cross each other. The clip arms further have stop elements configured to complement each other. The stop elements are adapted to be brought in mutual contact when the clip is transferred from the rest position to an application position in which the free ends are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Dieter Weisshaupt, Markus Nesper, Klaus-Dieter Steinhilper, Thomas Pleil
  • Publication number: 20150164510
    Abstract: The present application discloses a surgical clip with two clip branches that each have a clamping portion and an actuating portion, and with a flexion spring arrangement via which the two clip branches are coupled integrally to each other. The flexion spring arrangement has more than a half winding, and an elastic body is arranged in the flexion spring arrangement in such a way that it is deformable by opening the surgical clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Iwiza Tesari, Klaus-Dieter Steinhilper, Markus Nesper
  • Publication number: 20150080975
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical instrument for applying a bone plate fixing device which comprises a first bone contact element with a rod-shaped connecting member protruding therefrom and defining a longitudinal direction and a second bone contact element which is movable on the connecting member towards the first bone contact element, characterised by a feed apparatus comprising a feed element for application to the second bone contact element, a guide element with a proximal and a distal end for guiding movement of the feed element and a feed mechanism for moving the feed element in the distal direction relative to the guide element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Pleil
  • Patent number: 8696676
    Abstract: A bone plate fixing device comprises a first bone contacting element with a rod-shaped connecting member and a second bone contacting element displaceable on the connecting member. The connecting member has a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion comprising a protruding projection, the protruding projection being located towards a proximal end of the connecting member and having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The protruding projection may comprise at least two teeth. The depth of the at least two teeth may be less than half the difference between the first diameter and the second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aesculap AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Nesper, Thomas Pleil, Klaus-Dieter Steinhilper, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Publication number: 20120101536
    Abstract: A bone plate fixing device comprises a first bone contacting element with a rod-shaped connecting member and a second bone contacting element displaceable on the connecting member. The connecting member has a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion comprising a protruding projection, the protruding projection being located towards a proximal end of the connecting member and having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. The protruding projection may comprise at least two teeth. The depth of the at least two teeth may be less than half the difference between the first diameter and the second diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: AESCULAP AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Markus NESPER, Thomas PLEIL, Klaus-Dieter STEINHILPER, Dieter WEISSHAUPT
  • Patent number: 8096999
    Abstract: A bone plate fixing device comprises a first bone contacting element with a rod-shaped connecting member and a second bone contacting element displaceable on the connecting member. A surgical instrument for applying the bone plate fixing device comprises a first tool element positionable on the second bone contacting element, and a second tool element removable from the first tool element, with a transportation device for stepwise transportation of the connecting member with the second tool element. The second tool element has toothing comprising a plurality of teeth forming several receptacles for engaging toothing of the connecting member. The toothing of the connecting member may be on a projection protruding from the connecting member. The toothing of the second tool element may have a pitch which corresponds to an integral multiple of a pitch of the toothing of the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aesculap AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Nesper, Thomas Pleil, Klaus-Dieter Steinhilper, Dieter Weisshaupt
  • Patent number: 8079468
    Abstract: In order to improve a surgical screw container comprising a receiving part and a closure part mounted thereon so as to be movable, wherein the receiving part has at least two screw receptacles for accommodating at least two bone screws, wherein the closure part can be brought relative to the receiving part into at least one closure position, in which none of the screw receptacles is accessible for the introduction or removal of a bone screw, such that any loss of screws from the screw container can be practically ruled out it is suggested that the closure part can be brought from the at least one closure position into at least two removal positions, in each of which only a single screw receptacle is accessible for the introduction or removal of a single bone screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Dieter Weisshaupt, Markus Nesper
  • Publication number: 20080230422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical data carrier for the identification of a medical implant, in particular, a surgical plate for the fixing of bones or bone fragments, wherein the data carrier has a carrier element and a connecting device which comprises a receptacle for the insertion of at least part of the implant. In order to make such a surgical data carrier available which has an improved handling capability, it is suggested in accordance with the invention that the data carrier have an actuating device which can be actuated by a user and with which the connecting device can be transferred from a connecting position, in which the implant is held in the receptacle, into a release position, in which the data carrier can be detached from the implant. The invention relates, in addition, to a surgical implantation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: AESCULAP AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Pleil, Markus Nesper, Dirk Schauer, Dieter Weisshaupt