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1947 - 1959
1947: Richard Wolf GmbH is founded in Knittlingen
1948: Production of endoscopes begins in Knittlingen
1949: The trademark is born!

The famous wolf's head trademark is created. The model for the wolf's head was "Wölfchen", the German shepherd of Richard and Annemarie Wolf

1950: Cystoscope with Albarran deflector and distal illumination
1954: Rectoscope Type 782 with right-angle handle rotatable through 360°
1958: Annemarie Wolf takes over the company.

After the early death of Richard Wolf in 1958, his widow Annemarie took over his position as partner. She continued to run the business on her own.

1959: The company continues to grow

By 1958 the company already had 126 employees. At the end of 1959 it moved into a new building housing both production and offices.

1963 - 1979
1963: Introduction of "cold light" illumination for endoscopes
1968

Founded:

  • The Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation is established.

Lumina rod lens optics:

  • Development of modern Lumina rod lens optics
From 1971:

Richard Wolf GmbH expands in Germany and abroad and founds its first subsidiaries

Between 1971 and 1979 the company expanded steadily and founded several subsidiaries in Germany, the USA, Belgium, France and the UK. The founding of the Richard Wolf subsidiary in Vernon Hills, USA, was the first important step beyond Europe's borders.

1975: Magnifying laryngopharyngoscope
1979: Percutaneous nephroscope for ultrasonic lithotripsy
1983 - 2000
1983: Instruments for transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)
1984: The company keeps growing

Several new buildings are constructed at the Knittlingen headquarters

1986:Piezolith 2300

The world's first anesthesia-free shockwave therapy device (ESWL) with in-line ultrasound localization

1990:Piezolith 2500

The first extracorporeal shockwave lithotripter (ESWL) with in-line X-ray and ultrasound localization

1994

Founded:

  • Subsidiary founded in Vienna, Austria

RIWO-ART:

  • Trocar sleeve with magnetic ball valve
1998: Piezoson 300

The first piezoelectric shockwave therapy device with ultrasound localization for orthopedics

2000:Piezoson 100

Launch of the first tabletop device for extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in orthopedics – at the time the world's smallest ESWT device.

2001 - 2010
2001:PiezoLith 3000

The world's first ESWL system with DLT (patented RW double layer technology) and DSR localization (dual simultaneous real-time imaging)

2002:DAFE

Autofluorescence endoscopy for bronchial airway diagnostics

2003: POWER CONTROL

Universal motor system for shaver handpieces with blades and burrs

2004: CORE – integrated OR system for endoscopy

Intelligent OR system – digital, networked, centrally controlled

2005

eyeMAX:

  • eyeMAX distal chip technology sets a new standard in laparoscopy with a new generation of CCD endoscopes.

Founded:

  • Richard Wolf India and Richard Wolf Middle East
2006:High Speed ENDOCAM

High-speed camera system for laryngoscopic diagnosis and therapy

2007: RESECTION MASTER morcellation system

Automatic aspiration of tissue chips during intrauterine myomectomy

2008

ERAGONbipolar

  • Bipolar instrument system for laparoscopy
  • Modular – ergonomic – safe

Bioact IF Osteotrans

  • Bioactive and bioabsorbable interference screws

WellWave

  • Therapy system for trigger point shockwave therapy (TPST) and myofascial pain syndrome in physiotherapy
2009

ESWT therapy source FBL10X5G2

  • Patented by RW: the world's first linear therapy device. Besides orthopedic applications, it is also ideal for erectile dysfunction in urology

The COBRA

  • The first flexible dual-channel laser ureterorenoscope
2010: GreenLEP instruments

for laser enucleation of the prostate with the PIRANHA morcellator

2011 - 2022
2011

KeyPort

  • Reusable single-port solution for laparoscopic surgery

PiezoLith 3000plus

  • Multidisciplinary ESWL system with automatic patient positioning and innovative in-image navigation

ERAGONmodular

  • Laparoscopic instrument system for multidisciplinary use
2012

Founded:

  • Richard Wolf Brazil
  • Richard Wolf Japan

PRINCESS resectoscope:

  • Slim 7 mm resectoscope for minimal dilatation

RiWo-Button:

  • Cruciate ligament implants

PiezoWave2:

  • Further development of the PiezoWave with the patented RW double layer technology (DLT) for a more powerful therapy source

ENDOCAM Logic HD:

  • New HD camera platform combining flexibility and versatility
2013

Founded:

  • Richard Wolf HK Ltd., Hong Kong, China

SecuFix uterine manipulator

  • for total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH)

core nova:

  • The world's first complete, network-based integrated OR system
2014

ENDOCAM Epic 3DHD

  • Full HD endoscopic images with three-dimensional depth

COBRA vision and BOA vision

  • Flexible sensor ureterorenoscopes (URS)

Founded:

  • Richard Wolf After-Sales Service Center (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
2015: New logistics and service center building opens

The new 10,000 m² logistics and service center, an investment of around EUR 16 million, opens at the company's home in Knittlingen.

2016

ENDOCAM Logic 4K Ultra HD camera system:

  • Outstanding endoscopic image quality for better differentiation of ultra-fine structures

ENDOCAM Flex HD:

  • Innovative camera concept

System blue:

  • The "blue" standard in photodynamic diagnosis (PDD)

MegaPulse 70+:

  • Holmium:YAG laser system

Founded:

  • RIWOspine GmbH, Knittlingen
2017

MAMBA vision

  • Flexible sensor cystoscope

DICOM and ESWL database:

  • Further development of the Piezolith 3000plus for digital communication of treatment data with the HIS (hospital information system)

Awards:

  • Richard Wolf wins the M&K Award 2017 in the category "IT and Communication"
  • Richard Wolf wins the German Brand Award 2017 in the category "Industry Excellence in Branding"
  • Richard Wolf GmbH wins the German Medical Award in the category "Medical Communication Award"
2018

Founded:

  • Richard Wolf Singapore,
  • Richard Wolf Korea

Development:

  • Opening of the new building of the French subsidiary Richard Wolf France.
  • The new Richard Wolf website and the Richard Wolf app go live.

Awards:

  • Richard Wolf is named "Digital Champion" in the renowned Focus Money Deutschland-Test 2018.

ESWT therapy source F10G10:

  • The new therapy source with a dynamic penetration depth of 0 to 100 mm extends the treatment range to more indications.
2019

50th anniversary:

  • Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation

System green:

  • Real-time fluorescence imaging with the ENDOCAM Logic 4K Ultra HD camera system

ERAGONstitch:

  • Three-part modular needle holder for laparoscopy

Fluid Control 2225:

  • Interdisciplinary suction and irrigation pump for gynecology, urology and general surgery

PowerSpeed AS1:

  • Universal motor system

Awards:

  • Richard Wolf receives the "Global Market Leader 2018" award.
  • Richard Wolf is named "Digital Brand of the Year" at the German Brand Award 2019.
2020: Awards

Richard Wolf is named one of the "Most Promising Medical Technology Companies 2020"

2021

RIWO D-URS:

  • The first single-use sensor ureterorenoscope in the company's history

PiezoWave 2T:

  • Modern ESWT device with touchscreen and T-mode

Founded:

  • Richard Wolf Spain, Vietnam, Russia

Awards:

  • Richard Wolf GmbH is recognized as a volunteer-friendly employer in civil protection.
2022: Richard Wolf GmbH celebrates its 75th anniversary

under the motto "Passion for change"

Questions?We are ready to help!
Richard Wolf
hongkong@richard-wolf.com