The trademark with the famous wolf head is created. The living prototype for the wolf head was "Wölfchen", the magnificent German shepherd of Richard and Annemarie Wolf
1947-1959
1947: Founding of Richard Wolf GmbH in Knittlingen
1948: Start of production of endoscopes in Knittlingen
1949: The trademark is born!
1950: Cystoscope with Albarran deflector and distal illumination
1954: Rektoscope Typ 782 with pistol handle 360° rotatable
1958: Annemarie Wolf takes over the company.
After Richard Wolf's untimely death in 1958, his widow Annemarie takes up his position as a partner. She continues the business on her own.
1959: Company continues to grow
In 1958, the company already has 126 employees. In late 1959, the company moves into a new building that combines production facilities and offices.
1963 - 1979
1963: Launch of "cold light" lighting for endoscopes
1968
Founding:
- Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation is established.
Lumina rod lens optics:
- development of the modern Iumina rod lens optics
from 1971: Richard Wolf GmbH expands and establishes its first subsidiaries in Germany and abroad
Between 1971 and 1979 the company expands and is founded various subsidiaries. The Foundation of Richard Wolf subsidiary in Vernon Hills, USA an important and first big step beyond the borders of Europe.
- Heynemann GmbH, Munich, Germany
- Kurt Semrau GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany
- Richard Wolf Medical Instruments Corp., Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA
- Endoscopie Richard Wolf Belgium N.V., Gent-Drongen, Belgium
- Richard Wolf France S.A.R.L., Reims,
- France Richard Wolf U.K. Ltd., Wimbledon, England
1975: Magnifying Laryngo-Pharyngoscope with magnification
1979: Percutaneous Nephroscope for ultrasound litholapaxy
1983 - 2000
1983: Instruments for Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM)
1984: The company grows
Several new buildings on site are built in Knittlingen
1986: Piezolith 2300
The world's first anesthesia-free Shock wave therapy device (ESWL) with inline ultrasound localization
1990: Piezolith 2500
First extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor (ESWL) with X-ray and ultrasound localization in situ
1994
Founding:
Richard Wolf Austria Ges.m.b.H., Vienna, Austria
RIWO-ART:
trocar sleeves with magnetic-ball-valve
1998: Piezoson 300
First piezoelectric shock wave therapy device for orthopedics with ultrasound localization
2000: Piezoson 100
Launch of the first desktop device for extracorporeal shock wave therapy of (ESWT) in orthopaedics; world's smallest ESWT device.
2001-2010
2001: PiezoLith 3000
World's first ESWL system with DLT (RW patented double layer technology) and DSR Localization (Dual simultaneous real-time live image display)
2002: DAFE
Diagnostic Auto-Fluorescence Endoscopy in the Bronchial Airways
2003: Power Control
Universal motor system for adapting shaver handles with shaver blades and burrs
2004: CORE - Complete Operating Room Endoscopy
The intelligent OR ‒ digital, networked, centrally controlled
2005
eyeMAX:
- eyeMAX chip-on-the-tip technology sets new standards in laparoscopy with the latest generation CCD endoscopes.
Founding:
- Richard Wolf India Private Ltd., Gurgaon, Indien
- Richard Wolf Middle East, Dubai, UAE
2006: High Speed ENDOCAM
High speed camera system for laryngoscopic diagnosis and therapy
2007: RESECTION MASTER
System with automatic chip aspiration during resection intracavitary myoma
2008
ERAGONbipolar
- Bipolar Instrument System for laparoscopy
Modular – Ergonomic - Safe
Bioact IF Osteotrans
- Bioactive and Bioresorbable Interference Screws
WellWave
- System for trigger point shock wave therapy (TPST) and myofascial pain syndrome treatment in physiotherapy
2009
ESWT therapy device FBL10X5G2
- World's first linear and RW patented therapy device. Except for orthopedic applications also ideal for erectile dysfunction in urology
The COBRA
- First flexible dual-channel laser ureterorenoscope
2010: GreenLEP-Instruments
for laser prostate enucleation with PIRANHA tissue morcellator
2011 - 2024
2011
KeyPort
- The 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
Founding:
- Richard Wolf do Brasil Equipamentos Medicinais Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil
- Richard Wolf K.K., Tokyo, Japan
Princess resectoscope:
- Slim 7 mm resectoscope ensures minimal dilation effort
RiWo-Button:
- cruciate ligament implant
PiezoWave 2:
- Further development of the PiezoWave for the application with the even more powerful Power therapy sources with RW patented double layer technology (DLT)
ENDOCAM Logic HD:
- The new camera platform combines flexibility and versatility
2013
Founding:
- Richard Wolf HK Ltd., Hongkong, China
Secufix Uterus Manipulator
- for total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH)
core nova:
- The worlds' first complete network-based, integrated operating room
2014
ENDOCAM Epic 3DHD
- Maximum endoscopic Full HD image quality with three-dimensional depth
COBRA vision und BOA vision
- Flexible sensor ureterorenoscope (URS)
Gründung:
- Richard Wolf Service Center (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
2015: Opening of the new building Logistics and service center
Festive opening of the new logistics and service center with a usable area of 10,000 square meter and an investment of approx. 16 million euros at the company location Knittlingen.
2016
ENDOCAM Logic 4K:
- Excellent endoscopic image quality for a better differentiation of superfine structures
ENDOCAM Flex HD:
- The innovative camera concept
System blue:
- The "blue" Standard for Photodynamic Diagnostics (PDD)
MegaPulse 70+:
- Holmium:YAG Laser System
Founding:
- 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 M&K AWARD 2017 in the category "IT and Communication"
- Richard Wolf wins the German Brand Award 2017 in the "Industry Excellence in Branding" category
- Richard Wolf GmbH wins the GERMAN MEDICAL AWARD in the "Medical Communication Award" category
2018
Founding:
- Richard Wolf Singapore Pte. Ltd., Singapore
- Richard Wolf Korea Ltd., South Korea
Development:
- French subsidiary Richard Wolf France S.A.R.L. opens cutting-edge building.
- The new Richard Wolf website and the Richard Wolf "Home" app are online.
Award:
- Riichard Wolf is the "Digital Champion" in the renowned Deutschland-Test 2018 by Focus Money.
ESWT therapy sources F10G10:
- The new therapy source with extremely dynamic penetration depths from 0 to 100 mm expands the treatment spectrum to include further indications.
2019
50th anniversary:
- of the Richard and Annemarie Wolf Foundation
System green:
- Real-time fluorescence imaging with the ENDOCAM Logic 4K camera platform
ERAGONstitch:
- The three-part modular generation of needle holders for laparoscopy
Fluid Control 2225:
- The interdisciplinary suction and irrigation pump for gynecology, urology and general surgery
PowerSpeed AS1:
- The universal motor system
Awards:
- Richard Wolf receives "Global Market Leader 2018" award.
- Richard Wolf Awarded "Digital Brand of the Year" at the German Brand Award 2019.
2020: Award
Richard Wolf receives award as one of the: "Most Desired Medical Technology Companies 2020"
2021
RIWO D-URS:
- The first disposable sensor ureterorenoscope in the company history
PiezoWave 2T:
- Currently the most modern ESWT device with touch panel and T-mode
Founding:
- Richard Wolf Endoscopia Ibérica S.L., Madrid, Spain
- Richard Wolf Vietnam Company Limited, Vietnam
Award:
- Richard Wolf GmbH honored as a volunteer-friendly employer for civil protection.
2022: Richard Wolf GmbH celebrates its 75th anniversary
with the motto "Passion for change"
2023
Pulvis 60+
- Thulium fibre laser (TFL), for lithotripsy and precise soft tissue surgery
Founding:
- RIWOlink GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany
2024
Opening of training centre:
- Richard Wolf opens the 1,100 square metre training centre at its headquarters in Knittlingen
Founding:
- Richard Wolf SRL, production site in Craiova, Romania
- Richard Wolf India Private Limited, production site in Gurgaon, India
