Patents by Inventor Thomas Gradel

Thomas Gradel 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: 20130261622
    Abstract: Surgical implant for treating fractures of long bones, notably of the femur, having an intramedullary section (52) of elongated shape, adapted for being inserted into the medullary cavity (37), an extramedullary section (56) substantially parallel to the intramedullary section (52), a deformable curved loop (57) connecting the intramedullary section (52) to the extramedullary section (56), an inclined screw (61) traversing said intramedullary section (52) and said extramedullary section (56). By deforming the loop (57), a continuous adjustment of the angle (?) of the cephalic screw (61) and thus an optimal adaptation of the implant to the individual anatomy can be achieved. Thanks to its geometry, this implant induces a protection of the greater trochanter and limits the mechanical loads between the cephalic screw (61) and the rest of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicants: Chirmat Sarl, Tural, Hepia, Universite de Savoie
    Inventors: Christian BONJOUR, Yvan ARLETTAZ, Pierre VACHER, Franck TOUSSAINT, Remi BILLARD, Laure DEVUN, Thomas GRADEL, Eric VITTECOQ
  • Publication number: 20130091683
    Abstract: Method for producing a prosthetic acetabulum, which method includes the steps of: a) making available a ceramic cup (1) that has a concave internal receiving face (3) and has an external annular receiving structure (6), b) making available a placement and orientation insert (7) that has an annular peripheral fixing structure (10) designed to cooperate with the receiving face (9) of the external annular receiving structure (6) by engaging around the external annular receiving structure (6), c) heating the placement and orientation insert (7) in order to increase the dimensions of the insert, d) engaging the annular peripheral fixing structure (10) around the receiving face (9) of the external annular receiving structure (6), e) returning the placement and orientation insert (7) to ambient temperature in order to reduce the dimensions of the insert, in such a way as to obtain a radial clamping of the annular peripheral fixing structure (10) on the external annular receiving structure (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Gradel
  • Publication number: 20120197412
    Abstract: An acetabular cup includes an articular insert (1) having a substantially semi-spherical articular cavity (1c), and a spherical head (2) engaged in the articular cavity (1c). A retaining device (10a) opposes the axial release (4) of the spherical head (2) from the articular cavity (1c) of the articular insert (1). For example, the retaining device can take the form of a back-tapered segment (10a) of the articular insert (1). The spherical head (2) is factory mounted in the articular insert (1), by temporarily heating the articular insert (1) and performing sterilization after assembly. In this way, the spherical head (2) retention capacity in the articular insert (1) is increased substantially in order to reduce the risk of luxation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Gradel
  • Publication number: 20120180300
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a prosthetic hip acetabulum includes the steps of: a) providing an insertion cup (1) having an inner concave receiving surface (3) having an opening surface (5) contained in an opening plane (P), and having an outer annular receiving structure (6); b) providing an installation and positioning insert (7) having a peripheral annular attachment structure (10) shaped to engage with the receiving surface (9) of the outer annular receiving structure (6) fitting around the annular outer receiving structure (6); c) heating the installation and positioning insert (7) in order to increase the size of the insert (7), d) fitting the peripheral annular attachment structure (10) around the receiving surface (9) of the outer annular receiving structure (6); e) cooling the installation and positioning insert (7) to room temperature in order to reduce the size of the insert (7) and achieve radial tightening of the peripheral annular attachment structure (10) on the outer annular receiving structure
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Gradel
  • Publication number: 20100306987
    Abstract: A cotyle including a metallic insertion acetabular shell having an outer, essentially hemispherical, convex anchoring face formed in such a way as to be anchored in a cotyloid cavity of the pelvis of a patient, and a concave receiving face. The cotyle also includes a fixed definitive articular ceramic insert having an outer face engaging in the concave receiving face of the metallic insertion acetabular shell, and an inner receiving face including a concave, essentially hemispherical, articular surface for allowing the engagement and pivoting of a femoral prosthesis head or a mobile articular insert. The cotyle is packed in its assembled sterile state, with the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert engaged in the metallic insertion acetabular shell having a peripheral receiving structure that can receive means for fixing an impacter for positioning a cotyle and is designed in such a way that the impacter can be fixed to the cotyle in the presence of the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Gradel
  • Publication number: 20100063597
    Abstract: A cotyle including a metallic insertion acetabular shell having an outer, essentially hemispherical, convex anchoring face formed in such a way as to be anchored in a cotyloid cavity of the pelvis of a patient, and a concave receiving face. The cotyle also includes a fixed definitive articular ceramic insert having an outer face engaging in the concave receiving face of the metallic insertion acetabular shell, and an inner receiving face including a concave, essentially hemispherical, articular surface for allowing the engagement and pivoting of a femoral prosthesis head or a mobile articular insert. The cotyle is packed in its assembled sterile state, with the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert engaged in the metallic insertion acetabular shell having a peripheral receiving structure that can receive means for fixing an impacter for positioning a cotyle and is designed in such a way that the impacter can be fixed to the cotyle in the presence of the definitive fixed articular ceramic insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Gradel
  • Patent number: 7455684
    Abstract: In a device including an anterior plate for vertebral column support, there is at least one connecting sliding piece which is used to connect an anchoring screw to a securing rod. The securing rod is inserted into a cylindrical bearing and is fixed using a tightening device including a small clamp and a tightening screw. The connecting sliding piece includes at least one tip which extends away from the cylindrical bearing for the securing rod, in a direction which converges with the axis of the anchoring screw. In this way, the connecting sliding piece is provisionally fixed by pressing same against a vertebra, the anchoring screw is subsequently screwed in place and, finally, the securing rod is inserted laterally into the cylindrical bearing before being tightened using the small clamp and the tightening screw. The device is designed for anterior implantation on a vertebral column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Vitatech
    Inventors: Thomas Gradel, Jean-Philippe Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20080077249
    Abstract: A cup and a temporary insert are respectively configured to be tightly press fitted into each other along their periphery. The temporary insert includes a through hole communicating outside with a free space between the outer surface of the temporary insert and the inner surface of the cup. In the through hole can be engaged the threaded end of an impactor, for manipulating the cup when it is being set. A syringe can be engaged, enabling a liquid under pressure to be injected into the free space, thus separating the temporary insert from the cup without any risk of damaging the inner surface of the cup. Thus, the cup can be securely manipulated when it is being set without any risk of damaging the inner surface of the cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Gradel
  • Patent number: 7094237
    Abstract: A vertebral column support device is assembled by means of clamping. The device includes bone screw- or hook-type vertebrae anchoring elements, the elements consisting of a threaded cylindrical part (5) and a stop collar (7). A fixing nut (8) can be screwed on the threaded cylindrical part (5) in order to fix a connecting sliding piece (4) which is mounted on a securing rod (3) having a circular section. In order to insure that the rod (3) and the connecting sliding piece (4) are secure, the securing rod (3) is clamped in a transverse groove (17) in the connecting sliding piece (4) using a clamp screw (21) and a little clamp (22) which is mounted in the corner of the groove. In this way, the inventive device is more rigid and can better support the vertebrae and, moreover, the device can be positioned and adjusted much more easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Vitatech
    Inventors: Thomas Gradel, Philippe Cottin, Yves Jaby, Jean-Philippe Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20060116676
    Abstract: In a device including an anterior plate for vertebral column support, there is at least one connecting sliding piece which is used to connect an anchoring screw to a securing rod. The securing rod is inserted into a cylindrical bearing and is fixed using a tightening device including a small clamp and a tightening screw. The connecting sliding piece includes at least one tip which extends away from the cylindrical bearing for the securing rod, in a direction which converges with the axis of the anchoring screw. In this way, the connecting sliding piece is provisionally fixed by pressing same against a vertebra, the anchoring screw is subsequently screwed in place and, finally, the securing rod is inserted laterally into the cylindrical bearing before being tightened using the small clamp and the tightening screw. The device is designed for anterior implantation on a vertebral column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Gradel, Jean-Philippe Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20060085067
    Abstract: An intervertebral implant includes an essentially tubular body which is made from a biocompatible solid material. The body includes a large inner cavity which is defined by upper and lower walls, lateral walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, the rear wall having a tapped axial hole. A replaceable compression plug, which can be adapted by screwing, is inserted into the hole, in order to compress a graft which is disposed in the inner cavity of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Gradel, Jean-Philippe Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20050010216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vertebral column support device which is assembled by means of clamping. According to the invention, the device includes bone screw- or hook-type vertebrae anchoring elements, the elements consisting of a threaded cylindrical part (5) and a stop collar (7). A fixing nut (8) can be screwed on the threaded cylindrical part (5) in order to fix a connecting sliding piece (4) which is mounted on a securing rod (3) having a circular section. In order to insure that the rod (3) and the connecting sliding piece (4) are secure, the securing rod (3) is clamped in a transverse groove (17) in the connecting sliding piece (4) using a clamp screw (21) and a little clamp (22) which is mounted in the corner of the groove. In this way, the inventive device is more rigid and can better support the vertebrae and, moreover, the device can be positioned and adjusted much more easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Gradel, Philippe Cottin, Yves Jaby, Jean-Philippe Lemaire