Patents by Inventor Thomas Ruegg

Thomas Ruegg 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: 11957400
    Abstract: A surgical device for examination and treatment of a target area. The surgical device includes a shaft portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and that is configured to be inserted into a patient's body, a surgical tool provided within the outer sheath and configured to be movable along the longitudinal axis, and an optical assembly provided at a distal end of the inner shaft, the optical assembly including a light source and an imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: American Endoscopic Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: James Barry, Israel Franco, Michael Grasso, III, Thomas Ruegg
  • Publication number: 20240057859
    Abstract: Disposable controls, re-usable devices, and their methods of use. The disposable controls and reusable devices are adapted to in operable communication during a procedure or process, and thereafter the disposable control can be discarded while the reusable device can be reused in a subsequent procedure or process. The disposable controller and reusable portion can be part of an intubation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Dimitri SOKOLOV, Vladimir NEKHENDZY, Thomas RUEGG
  • Publication number: 20230389978
    Abstract: A surgical device for examination and treatment of a target area. The surgical device includes a shaft portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and that is configured to be inserted into a patient's body, a surgical tool provided within the outer sheath and configured to be movable along the longitudinal axis, and an optical assembly provided at a distal end of the inner shaft, the optical assembly including a light source and an imaging sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: James Barry, Israel Franco, Michael Grasso, III, Thomas Ruegg
  • Patent number: 11648048
    Abstract: A surgical device for examination and treatment of a target area. The surgical device includes a shaft portion that extends along a longitudinal axis and that is configured to be inserted into a patient's body, a surgical tool provided within the outer sheath and configured to be movable along the longitudinal axis, and an optical assembly provided at a distal end of the inner shaft, the optical assembly including a light source and an imaging sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: American Endoscopic Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: James Barry, Israel Franco, Michael Grasso, III, Thomas Ruegg
  • Publication number: 20220404291
    Abstract: A borescope includes an electronic image capturing unit having at least one image capturing sensor with a receiving cone at a first end of a shaft, the shaft having a shaft axis and through which data and supply lines for the image capturing unit are led. The image capturing unit is arranged on a rotary head. The rotary head is secured to the first end so as to be rotatable about the shaft axis such that an axis of the receiving cone is not parallel to the shaft axis at the first end and so that the rotating head is arranged to capture a panoramic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Oke Peters, Michael Thies, Thomas Ruegg, Soeren Wedow, Sven Rasche, Jens-Peter Tuppatsch, Soenke Bahr, Lukas Bath, Thorsten Schueppstuhl, Tarek Mostafa, Oliver Neumann
  • Publication number: 20220257222
    Abstract: An endoscopic biopsy and debulking system is disclosed with a sheath having a distal end, an orifice defined on a lateral surface of the distal end, a handle disposed at a proximal end of the sheath, the handle having a connection on for attaching a hose, a suction source attached to the hose for providing negative pressure at the orifice, a cutting instrument at least partially inside the sheath and movable relative to the sheath between a first position and a cutting position, and the cutting instrument being capable of retracting or cutting tissue through the orifice in the cutting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James P. Barry, Israel Franco, Michael Grasso, III, Alfio Carroccio, Thomas Ruegg
  • Patent number: 10285580
    Abstract: A video endoscope comprises a shaft comprising a rigid, proximal-side section and a distal section that is laterally deflectable in a plane from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. A housing is arranged at the proximal end of the shaft. A control element for controlling the deflection of the shaft is provided at the housing. A rod-like pull element extends in the shaft in an off-center fashion with respect to the central longitudinal axis. The pull element is coupled with the control element and with a distal end of the deflectable section of the shaft, wherein a movement of the pull element by the control element in the proximal direction effects a lateral deflection of the deflectable section. A push tube is provided that is arranged to encase the exterior side of the pull element. The push tube extends from the proximal connection of the pull element with the control element through the first opening into the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, Oregon Health & Science University
    Inventors: Ansgar Brambrink, Thomas Ruegg, Dieter Huels, Christian Huber, Andreas Efinger, Martin Renner
  • Publication number: 20160317009
    Abstract: A video endoscope comprises a shaft comprising a rigid, proximal-side section and a distal section that is laterally deflectable in a plane from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. A housing is arranged at the proximal end of the shaft. A control element for controlling the deflection of the shaft is provided at the housing. A rod-like pull element extends in the shaft in an off-center fashion with respect to the central longitudinal axis. The pull element is coupled with the control element and with a distal end of the deflectable section of the shaft, wherein a movement of the pull element by the control element in the proximal direction effects a lateral deflection of the deflectable section. A push tube is provided that is arranged to encase the exterior side of the pull element. The push tube extends from the proximal connection of the pull element with the control element through the first opening into the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Ansgar Brambrink, Thomas Ruegg, Dieter Huels, Christian Huber, Andreas Efinger, Martin Renner
  • Patent number: 9066656
    Abstract: An endoscope has a shaft housing a lighting and an image transmission system and said endoscope being designed to be autoclavable. The shaft has a distal end portion which is made deflectable. An outer part is provided which is attached to said shaft. The outer part has a deflector mechanism for deflecting said deflectable distal end portion of said shaft and said outer part can be attached to said shaft by being releasably mounted laterally onto said shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: KARL STORZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus M. Irion, Thomas Ruegg
  • Publication number: 20080234547
    Abstract: An endoscope has a shaft housing a lighting and an image transmission system and said endoscope being designed to be autoclavable. The shaft has a distal end portion which is made deflectable. An outer part is provided which is attached to said shaft. The outer part has a deflector mechanism for deflecting said deflectable distal end portion of said shaft and said outer part can be attached to said shaft by being releasably mounted laterally onto said shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Klaus M. Irion, Thomas Ruegg
  • Patent number: 6626824
    Abstract: An exchangeable tool assembly is provided for an endoscopic treatment device, comprising a flexible shaft connected at its distal end to a tool unit and at its proximal end to a coupling element for coupling the tool assembly to a motor of the treatment device. The flexible shaft transmits a rotary movement of the motor to the tool unit. The flexible shaft is connected to said tool unit such that said flexible shaft and said tool unit form a jointly exchangeable unit. Further, a locking mechanism for releasably holding said tool assembly at said treatment device comprises a locking element arranged at said tool unit and a locking member arranged at said treatment device which is engageable in said locking member to releasably hold said unit formed by said tool unit and said flexible shaft at the treatment device, which can be withdrawn as a whole after this engagement of said locking member from said locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Storz Endoskop GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Ruegg, Beat Krattiger, Harald Haan
  • Publication number: 20020013570
    Abstract: An exchangeable tool assembly is provided for an endoscopic treatment device, comprising a flexible shaft connected at its distal end to a tool unit and at its proximal end to a coupling element for coupling the tool assembly to a motor of the treatment device. The flexible shaft transmits a rotary movement of the motor to the tool unit. The flexible shaft is connected to said tool unit such that said flexible shaft and said tool unit form a jointly exchangeable unit. Further, a locking mechanism for releasably holding said tool assembly at said treatment device comprises a locking element arranged at said tool unit and a locking member arranged at said treatment device which is engageable in said locking member to releasably hold said unit formed by said tool unit and said flexible shaft at the treatment device, which can be withdrawn as a whole after this engagement of said locking member from said locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Ruegg, Beat Krattiger, Harald Haan
  • Patent number: 5494387
    Abstract: A tensioning apparatus for a cargo lashing strap that secures cargo to a cargo deck and is configured to have a frame having a first portion adapted to couple the frame to the cargo deck an intermediate portion, and a second portion. The frame has two side walls extending continuously therealong and are generally parallel to one another in the first and second portions, and taper in the intermediate portion. A spindle receives the cargo lashing strap and extends through apertures in the side walls in the second portion of the frame. The spindle is provided with an axial slot therethrough for engaging the cargo lashing strap. Ratchet wheels arranged on the first and second spindle ends, rotate with the spindle. An adapter facilitates engagement and disengagement of a torquing lever with the spindle. A pawl shaft has ends that extend through apertures in both side walls in the second portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas A. Ruegg
  • Patent number: 4801379
    Abstract: The microfilter foil is made of an inorganic substance such as metal with opened pores. Each pore is formed with a channel which increases in cross-section from the crest so as to obviate clogging. The foil is produced by exposure of a photosensitive layer of paint or lacquer with the use of an interference pattern produced by monochromatic and coherent light. A skin of inorganic material is produced on the photosensitive layer and portions of the skin are thereafter removed from the coated teeth in order to produce the pores in the subsequently formed foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventors: Christian Ehrsam, Thomas Ruegg