Patents by Inventor Régis Le Couëdic

Régis Le Couëdic 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).

  • Publication number: 20100256680
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising: an intervertebral spacer (12) formed as a single part comprising a body (18) having a longitudinal direction, presenting in said direction an insertion first face (22) and a second face (24), and two recesses (30, 32) disposed at the ends of the body, each recess being defined by a first extension (34) extending said insertion face, by a second extension (36), and by an end wall (38); and two fastener ties (14, 16), each tie presenting a first end secured to said first extension (34) and a second end fastenable to said second face to pass around a spinous process in part and hold it in a recess. Each first extension (34) of the body has a height (h) relative to the bottom wall of the recess that is no greater than the height (h?) of the second extension that is associated therewith and that lies in the range 1 mm to 3 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: ABBOTT SPINE
    Inventors: Denis Pasquet, Jaques Senegas, Regis Le Couedic
  • Publication number: 20100185243
    Abstract: The invention provides an intervertebral implant for the lumbo-sacral joint, the implant consisting in a spacer suitable for being placed between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacral vertebra articulated thereto, the body of said spacer presenting in its top face a groove extending in the midplane of the spacer and suitable for receiving the spinous process of said lumbar vertebra. A longitudinal housing oriented orthogonally to said groove is formed in the bottom face and is suitable for receiving the top portion of the sacral vertebra. The longitudinal housing is defined by an extension and by a tab of width narrower than the width of the body of the spacer. The section of the housing in the midplane of the space is generally U-shaped, being inclined relative to the bottom of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Denis Pasquet, Regis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas, Christian Renaud
  • Publication number: 20100121454
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a method of implanting an intervertebral disk prosthesis that can be assembled and disassembled in a minimally invasive fashion. The prosthesis comprises a first fixing element having an anchoring first face and a co-operation second face; a second fixing element having an anchoring first face and a co-operation second face; a first prosthesis element having an active first face and a co-operation second face, the co-operation faces of the first fixing element and the first prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; a second prosthesis element having an active first face and a co-operation second face, the co-operation faces of the second fixing element and the second prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; and each of the active faces of the prosthesis elements defining at least a portion of a spherical cap that is respectively concave or convex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine S.A.S.
    Inventors: Karl BELLIARD, Regis LE COUEDIC, Jacques SENEGAS, Paolo MANGIONE
  • Publication number: 20100114173
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a connecting member for maintaining the spacing between at least two anchor members screwed into vertebrae and methods for stabilizing the spine using a connecting member. One embodiment of a connecting member can include a first rigid portion, a second rigid portion and a connecting body disposed between the first rigid body and the second rigid body that is more flexible than the first rigid body and the second rigid body. The connecting member can be provided as a preassembled connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Régis Le Couedic, Denis Pasquet
  • Publication number: 20100114169
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a connecting member for maintaining the spacing between at least two anchor members screwed into vertebrae and methods for stabilizing the spine using a connecting member. One embodiment of a connecting member can include a first rigid portion formed of a first material, a second rigid portion formed of the first material and a connecting body comprising a second material that is more elastically deformable than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Regis Le Couedic, Denis Pasquet
  • Patent number: 7704281
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant for the lumbo-sacral joint is provided. The intervertebral implant comprises a spacer adapted to fit between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacral vertebra articulated thereto and a strap. The spacer comprises a body. The body comprises a top end face and a bottom end face opposite the top end face. The top end face comprises a groove that extends along a midplane of the spacer. The groove comprises a first side and a second side, wherein between the first side and the second side the groove is adapted to receive the spinous process of said lumbar vertebra. The bottom end face comprises a longitudinal housing. The longitudinal housing extends orthogonal to the groove. The longitudinal housing is adapted to receive and rest directly on a top portion of the sacral vertebra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Denis Pasquet, Régis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas, Christian Renaud
  • Publication number: 20100100187
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising a spacer designed to be applied between two spinous processes of two vertebrae. The spacer comprises: two elements (10, 12) made of a first material, and each presenting a first end (10a, 12a) and a second end (10b, 12b), said first end (10a, 12a) being securable to a spinous process; and a connection piece (14) made of a second material of greater elastic deformability than said first material, said connection piece interconnecting said second ends (10b, 12b) of said two elements (10, 12) so that the stresses that are exerted on said two elements (10, 12) are damped, and said connection piece enabling said intervertebral implant to limit and brake the relative movements of said vertebrae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Regis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas
  • Patent number: 7666228
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising a spacer designed to be applied between two spinous processes of two vertebrae. The spacer comprises: two elements (10, 12) made of a first material, and each presenting a first end (10a, 12a) and a second end (10b, 12b), said first end (10a, 12a) being securable to a spinous process; and a connection piece (14) made of a second material of greater elastic deformability than said first material, said connection piece interconnecting said second ends (10b, 12b) of said two elements (10, 12) so that the stresses that are exerted on said two elements (10, 12) are damped, and said connection piece enabling said intervertebral implant to limit and brake the relative movements of said vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine
    Inventors: Régis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas
  • Publication number: 20100016897
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising a spacer constituted by first and second parts (12, 14), said parts being provided with mutual assembly means comprising first clip-fastener means (54, 56) secured to one of said parts, second clip-fastener means (49, 50) secured to the other part and suitable for cooperating with the first clip-fastener means to achieve releasable clip-fastening between the two parts, and guide means for guiding the two parts (12, 14) during clip-fastening, said guide means being distinct from the clip-fastening means and comprising: a substantially non-deformable first guide assembly (42, 44) secured to one of said parts; and a substantially non-deformable second guide assembly (46, 48) secured to the other part to co-operate with the first guide assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine Austin, Inc.
    Inventors: Regis Le Couedic, Denis Pasquet
  • Patent number: 7641673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting member for maintaining the spacing between at least two anchor members screwed into vertebrae. It comprises two rigid rod-forming parts (12, 14) made of a first material and each having a fixing, first portion (16, 18) adapted to be fixed into an anchor member and a fastening, second portion (20, 22), said rods (12, 14) being aligned with each other and said fastening portions (20, 22) facing each other, and a connecting body (24) made of a second material which is more elastically deformable than said first material and which interconnects said rigid parts (12, 14) by means of the facing fastening portions (20, 22) so that said connecting body (24) is able to deform elastically, whereby the vertebrae, which are held spaced from each other, are movable relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, S.A.S.
    Inventors: Regis Le Couedic, Denis Pasquet
  • Patent number: 7611538
    Abstract: The invention provides an intervertebral disk prosthesis. The prosthesis comprises: a first fixing element having both an anchoring first face for anchoring in one of the vertebrae and a co-operation second face; a second fixing element having both an anchoring first face for anchoring in the other vertebrae and a co-operation second face; a first prosthesis element having both an active first face and a co-operation second face, said co-operation faces of the first fixing element and of the first prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; a second prosthesis element having both an active first face and a co-operation second face, said co-operation faces of the second fixing element and of the second prosthesis element serving to fasten the two elements together; and each of said active faces of the prosthesis elements defining at least a portion of a spherical cap that is respectively concave or convex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine S.A.S.
    Inventors: Karl Belliard, Régis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas, Paolo Mangione
  • Patent number: 7588601
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising a spacer constituted by first and second parts (12, 14), said parts being provided with mutual assembly means comprising first clip-fastener means (54, 56) secured to one of said parts, second clip-fastener means (49, 50) secured to the other part and suitable for co-operating with the first clip-fastener means to achieve releasable clip-fastening between the two parts, and guide means for guiding the two parts (12, 14) during clip-fastening, said guide means being distinct from the clip-fastening means and comprising: a substantially non-deformable first guide assembly (42, 44) secured to one of said parts; and a substantially non-deformable second guide assembly (46, 48) secured to the other part to co-operate with the first guide assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine Austin, Inc.
    Inventors: Régis Le Couedic, Denis Pasquet
  • Publication number: 20090222094
    Abstract: A disc prosthesis for vertebrae is provided. The disc prosthesis comprises a first plate, a first insert, a second plate, and a second insert. The first plate comprises a first active face and a first anchor face. The second plate comprises a second active face and a second anchor face. The first anchor face is configured to anchor the first plate to a first vertebra. The second anchor face is configured to anchor the second plate to a second vertebra. The first plate comprises a cavity for receiving the first insert. The cavity comprises a concave spherical cap. The second plate comprises an opening that connects the second active face to the second anchor face. The second insert comprises a fastener portion, said fastener portion is friction fit in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Karl Belliard, Regis Le Couëdic, Paolo Mangione, Jacques Senegas
  • Publication number: 20090182379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an instrument for tensioning a flexible tie (14) used for fastening an implant on a bony element of a patient by forming a first loop around the bony element. Said instrument comprises: a rod (42) having a first end provided with bearing means (44) for bearing against said implant; a moving part (46) that is movable in translation and that surrounds said rod (42) over a fraction of its length, said moving part including holder means (50) for holding the end of said tie; and control means (52) mounted on said moving part (46) to cause the moving part to move relative to said rod, thereby tending to move the first end (42a) of the rod away from said moving part, thereby exerting tension on said tie relative to said implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Abbott Spine
    Inventors: Christain Baccelli, Regis Le Couedic, Keyvan Mazda
  • Publication number: 20090138048
    Abstract: A surgical system for stabilizing at least a portion of a spine is provided. In at least one embodiment, the system comprises a spinal rod, an implant, and an instrument. The instrument comprises a shaft, a moving part, and a holder. The implant comprises a flexible tie and may further comprise a bearing for bearing against the rod. The tie has at least one end that projects out from the implant. The shaft comprises a distal end configured to bear against the implant. The moving part is configured to move in translation with respect to the shaft and comprises an anti-return system. The holder is configured to hold an end of the tie and is connected to the moving part. The anti-return system engages the shaft for temporarily preventing the moving part from moving in translation relative to the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Christian Baccelli, Regis Le Couedic, Keyvan Mazda
  • Publication number: 20090131985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertebral fixing system adapted to be mounted on a vertebra of the spine to connect it to a rod. Said fixing system comprises: a connecting part adapted to face the rib and/or said transverse process and to be connected to said rod; an elongate flexible ligature adapted to connect together said connecting part and at least one rib and/or one transverse process; and adjustable locking means fastened to said connecting part and adapted to fix simultaneously in position said connecting part relative to said rod and at least one portion of said ligature relative to said connecting part, so as to prevent relative displacement of said rod and said vertebra in opposite directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Abbott Spine
    Inventors: Keyvan Mazda, Regis Le Couedic
  • Patent number: 7481828
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vertebral fixing system adapted to be mounted on a vertebra of the spine to connect it to a rod. The fixing system comprises: a connecting part adapted to face the rib and/or the transverse process and to be connected to the rod; an elongate flexible ligature adapted to connect together the connecting part and at least one rib and/or one transverse process; and an adjustable locking screw fastened to the connecting part and adapted to fix simultaneously in position the connecting part relative to the rod and at least one portion of the ligature relative to the connecting part, so as to prevent relative displacement of the rod and the vertebra in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Abbott Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Keyvan Mazda, Régis Le Couedic
  • Publication number: 20090018662
    Abstract: The invention provides an intervertebral implant for the lumbo-sacral joint, the implant comprising a spacer (20) suitable for being disposed between the fifth lumbar vertebra L5 and the vertebra S1 of the sacrum that is articulated to the vertebra L5, the implant comprises a flexible tie (50) having end portions (52) suitable for being fastened to the sacrum with the help of fasteners such as pedicular screws (60), the flexible tie (50) presenting an intermediate portion (54) suitable for co-operating with a connection system such as a hook (21) provided on the spacer (20) so that the flexible tie (50) connects the spacer to the sacrum. The flexible tie (50) is put under tension in such a manner as to exert a return force on the spacer (20) towards the vertebra S1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Denis Pasquet, Regis Le Couedic, Jacques Senegas
  • Publication number: 20080039943
    Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for treating degeneration of a damaged intervertebral disc arranged between two vertebrae. It comprises: cells (22) which may or may not be analogous to those of the intervertebral disc and which can be implanted in said disc; and at least one device (10) for stabilizing the two vertebrae, including: two screws (12, 14), each screw being intended to be screwed into one of the vertebrae (V1, V2); an elongate connection piece (16); and two fastening members (18, 20) for fastening the head of each of said screws to one of the ends of said connection piece, by which means it is possible to avoid excessive mechanical stresses being applied to the intervertebral disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Regis Le Couedic
  • Publication number: 20080033557
    Abstract: An intervertebral spacer for placing between two adjacent, upper and lower cervical vertebrae, the spacer being characterized in that it comprises a spacer body and retention means for retaining the spacer body in position against said vertebrae, the retention means comprising a strap and fastener means that are removable and self-blocking, enabling the ends of the strap to be secured to the spacer body, said spacer body comprising: a spacer part having two opposite ends, a portion of the first end being suitable for being inserted between said vertebrae; and top and bottom flanges connected via their bases to the second end of the spacer part and extending on either side thereof, each flange presenting an anterior face facing towards the spacer part and suitable for coming to bear against the posterior portion of the lamina of the upper or lower vertebra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: Abbott Spine
    Inventors: Denis Pasquet, Regis Le Couedic