Patents Assigned to Soprane
  • Patent number: 8308764
    Abstract: A method of arranging a surgical needle in an applicator. The needle is made of a hyper-elastic alloy which, after treatment, has two distinct states and includes a crimping zone for securing a suture to the needle, a free end having a tapered point which includes an inclined heel portion arranged on an inside portion of a curved profile. The method includes forcing the needle into a roughly elongated position when the needle is housed in an internal bore of the applicator. When the needle is not housed in an internal bore of the applicator, the needle adopts a curved profile as a result of superelasticity or hyper-elasticity of the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Soprane S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Loubens, Antoine Watrelot, Lionel Riou
  • Patent number: 7727257
    Abstract: Surgical needle including a crimping zone for securing a suture to the needle. The needle is made of a hyper-elastic alloy which, after treatment, has two distinct states. One of the two distinct states allows the needle to be forced into a roughly elongated position when the needle is housed in an internal bore. Another of the two distinct states allows the needle to adopt a curved profile as a result of superelasticity or hyper-elasticity of the needle. The needle has a free end which has a tapered point which includes an inclined heel portion. The inclined heel portion is arranged on an inside portion of the curved profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Soprane S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Loubens, Antoine Watrelot, Lionel Riou
  • Patent number: 6689096
    Abstract: Multipurpose catheter including a small diameter cylindrical body including a first end, a second end, and at least three internal non-coaxial channels. A connection mechanism is disposed adjacent the first end for communicating with the non-coaxial channels. The connection mechanism comprises an ergonomic monobloc head which is sealingly attached to the first end of the cylindrical body. The monobloc head comprises a bulged wall having at least three independent inlets for communicating with the three non-coaxial channels via bores and two walls which continue from the bulged wall. An inwardly curved connecting wall is also included. The connecting wall is disposed adjacent the first end of the cylindrical body and connects the two walls. The two walls comprise first opposite facing inclined surfaces and second opposite facing inclined surfaces having a different inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Soprane S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Loubens, Antoine Watrelot
  • Patent number: 6547805
    Abstract: A connecting device for a surgical instrument having at least one mobile cutting element which is reciprocally movable relative to a fixed jaw by operation of a resiliently loaded mobile grip wherein the connecting device includes an indexing mechanism which can be moved to a first position to permit mounting or removal of the mobile cutting element and a second position to permit independent mounting or removal of the mobile grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Soprane SA
    Inventors: Thierry Loubens, Lionel Riou, Christophe Garin
  • Patent number: 6524309
    Abstract: A bipolar forceps for conducting a pelviscopy comprising a pair of blades (2) that are made from a form-memorizing alloy and are partially covered by a plastic sheath (4) so that they can be fixed inside a tube (6). Each blade (2) has a non-sheathed end (5) with a curved profile which can become elastically deformed when the blades are moved in a longitudinal direction inside a guide (12) having a low internal diameter, in addition to comprising a cylindrical support (10) enabling the pair of blades (2) to be connected on the guide (12) and brought back into a specific position with the aid of elastic elements (13). Elements (11) are also provided for enabling the pair of blades (2) to be connected to a voltage source (3) so that each blade can function according to an electrode in order to enable coagulation of tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Soprane
    Inventors: Antoine Watrelot, Thierry Loubens
  • Patent number: 6197035
    Abstract: An applicator for setting a needle secured to a suture thread, a method of assembling the applicator and a method of using the applicator. The applicator includes an elongated sleeve comprising a bore, a first end and a second end, the needle being disposed within the bore near the second end, a rod having a first end and a second end, the second end being adapted to slide within the bore and rest adjacent the needle, and a retaining mechanism for maintaining the position of the rod with respect to the elongated sleeve. The method of assembling includes securing the suture thread to the needle, placing the needle and a portion of the thread into the bore of the elongated sleeve, introducing the second end of the rod into the bore until it is positioned adjacent the needle, retaining the first end of the rod on the retaining mechanism, and retaining the first end of the elongated sleeve on the retaining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Soprane SA
    Inventors: Thierry Loubens, Lionel Riou, ANtoine Watrelot
  • Patent number: 5584833
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for retaining a connecting rod of a spine fixator on a pedicular screw, wherein it comprises two identical ring-shaped elements, of which each comprises an opening bore of conical profile, at least one cylindrical notch made perpendicularly to the conical bore for positioning a connecting rod, at least one elastically deformable finger and at least one vertical hole which is intended to receive and maintain the corresponding finger of the other ring before assembly thereof on the corresponding pedicular screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Soprane S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Fournet-Fayard, Christophe Garin, Olivier Galland, Alain Lucet
  • Patent number: 5486174
    Abstract: A fastener for relieving stress on a disc adjacent at least two vertebrae which are mechanically connected during osteosynthesis of the spinal column which fastener includes a fastening rod having a first portion which is secured to the at least two vertebrae by tightening elements provided on pedicle screws and a second portion, whose diameter is smaller than that of the first portion, which slides in a guidance element which is anchored in of the vertebra located adjacent the at least two vertebrae which are mechanically locked relative one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Soprane S.A.
    Inventors: Jacques Fournet-Fayard, Olivier Galland, Christophe Garin, Alain Lucet