Patents by Inventor Tobias Amann

Tobias Amann 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: 11020167
    Abstract: An instrument (10) provided for simultaneous coagulation and dissection of tissue has tissue receptacles between the cutting electrode and the sealing electrode for the formation of tissue bulges to secure the tissue in the tool during the sealing process. In order to make it possible to form voluminous tissue bulges and to prevent their atrophy, the cutting electrode is supplied by a current limiting component, preferably in the form of a coupling capacitor. Thereby, in particular, in tissue that can be cut through easily, but which requires a long time for sealing, a high degree of process safety is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Tobias Amann
  • Patent number: 10130414
    Abstract: A sealing instrument (10) including two branches (15, 16) with sealing jaws (19, 20, 36, 37) acted on by a sealing voltage preferably between 80 and 120 volts. Tissue receptacles (53, 54) are separated from one another by a wall-like extension (24), which at its lower edge carries a cutting electrode (31), are defined between the branches (15, 16). A cutting voltage from 300 to 500 volts is applied between a branch (16) and the cutting electrode. When the branches are closed the grasped tissue is sealed simultaneously between the sealing jaws (19, 36 and 20, 37) and is severed by the cutting electrode (31). Even though the tissue is severed completely; for example after 0.3 to 0.5 seconds and the sealing requires more time, the rolls of tissue grasped in the tissue receptacles (53, 54) act as form-fitting protection of the vessel edges in the tool (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Tobias Amann
  • Patent number: 10123834
    Abstract: An instrument (10) according to the invention comprises a cam mechanism drive comprising a locking cam mechanism (31) and a cam mechanism (40), which serves power-transfer and control purposes, so as to initially create a tractive movement at traction elements (20, 21) and then a sliding movement at a sliding element (23). The concept allows for a tolerance-insensitive, functionally reliable design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Elias Schiele, Tobias Amann
  • Publication number: 20160066980
    Abstract: An instrument (10) provided for simultaneous coagulation and dissection of tissue has tissue receptacles between the cutting electrode and the sealing electrode for the formation of tissue bulges to secure the tissue in the tool during the sealing process. In order to make it possible to form voluminous tissue bulges and to prevent their atrophy, the cutting electrode is supplied by a current limiting component, preferably in the form of a coupling capacitor. Thereby, in particular, in tissue that can be cut through easily, but which requires a long time for sealing, a high degree of process safety is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Tobias Amann
  • Publication number: 20150374430
    Abstract: A sealing instrument (10) including two branches (15, 16) with sealing jaws (19, 20, 36, 37) acted on by a sealing voltage preferably between 80 and 120 volts. Tissue receptacles (53, 54) are separated from one another by a wall-like extension (24), which at its lower edge carries a cutting electrode (31), are defined between the branches (15, 16). A cutting voltage from 300 to 500 volts is applied between a branch (16) and the cutting electrode. When the branches are closed the grasped tissue is sealed simultaneously between the sealing jaws (19, 36 and 20, 37) and is severed by the cutting electrode (31). Even though the tissue is severed completely; for example after 0.3 to 0.5 seconds and the sealing requires more time, the rolls of tissue grasped in the tissue receptacles (53, 54) act as form-fitting protection of the vessel edges in the tool (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Volker Mayer, Heiko Schall, Achim Brodbeck, Tobias Amann
  • Publication number: 20150073394
    Abstract: An instrument (10) according to the invention comprises a cam mechanism drive comprising a locking cam mechanism (31) and a cam mechanism (40), which serves power-transfer and control purposes, so as to initially create a tractive movement at traction elements (20, 21) and then a sliding movement at a sliding element (23). The concept allows for a tolerance-insensitive, functionally reliable design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Elias Schiele, Tobias Amann
  • Patent number: 8636725
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a tool part and a grip part connected to each other via a ball and socket joint or other double-axis joint. The double axis joint allows the surgeon to work in a non-fatiguing, ergonomic and sensitive manner. The tool on the tool part can be activated e.g., mechanically by an actuation member. Additional actuation elements such as, e.g., electrical switches, can be arranged on the grip part to activate the tool. The transmission connection between the grip part and the tool can be achieved via rigid levers and connecting pieces or also via flexible elements (e.g., a traction cord), or rigid components with an integral hinge. To uncouple a pivoting movement of the grip part towards the tool part from an actuation of the tool, at least one joint of the transmission is arranged in the center of the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Amann, Martina Heim, Ralf Kühner, Stefanie Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120220987
    Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a tool part and a grip part connected to each other via a ball and socket joint or other double-axis joint. The double axis joint allows the surgeon to work in a non-fatiguing, ergonomic and sensitive manner. The tool on the tool part can be activated e.g., mechanically by an actuation member. Additional actuation elements such as, e.g., electrical switches, can be arranged on the grip part to activate the tool. The transmission connection between the grip part and the tool can be achieved via rigid levers and connecting pieces or also via flexible elements (e.g., a traction cord), or rigid components with an integral hinge. To uncouple a pivoting movement of the grip part towards the tool part from an actuation of the tool, at least one joint of the transmission is arranged in the center of the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Tobias Amann, Martina Heim, Ralf Kühner, Stefanie Schmidt