David K Nichols

US Patent:

6875211, Apr 5, 2005

Filed:

Dec 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/012127

Inventors:

David Nichols - Trumbull CT, US
Eric Finley - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Mahwah NJ

International Classification:

A61B017/70

US Classification:

606 61, 606 72

Abstract:

An apparatus is disclosed for connecting first and second elongated spaced apart spinal rods to one another which includes an elongated body portion, a clamp portion depending from the body portion for engaging a spinal rod, the clamp portion defining a deformable clamp body having opposed clamp arms configured for movement between a first position wherein a spinal rod is received between the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body and a second position wherein the spinal rod is securely engaged by the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body, and structure operatively associated with the clamp body which is configured to effectuate movement of the opposed clamp arms of the clamp body between the first and second positions.

US Patent:

7934661, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Sep 29, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/904855

Inventors:

David Nichols - Armonk NY, US

International Classification:

G06K 19/06

US Classification:

235494

Abstract:

Provided is a marketing/fundraising/reward method and system including providing a member with product with an incorporated authenticity tag including a personalized part, a unique number part, an encoded part, and a system identification section, assigning a unique number to be displayed in the unique number part, encoding the encoded part with the unique number, allowing the member to provide the personalized part, providing system identity information in the system identity section, providing a donation to a charity of the member's choosing, and recording information regarding the product, the donation, the personalized part, the unique number and the encoded part.

US Patent:

8579943, Nov 12, 2013

Filed:

Feb 21, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/401265

Inventors:

David Nichols - Trumbull CT, US
Eric Finley - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Mahwah NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17/88
A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606279, 606 84 A

Abstract:

The present invention includes a method of securing a spinal rod to an anchoring device, including releasably securing a locking cap to a distal end of an insertion instrument, the instrument having an outer tubular body, a rod persuader, and a locking shaft, each of the tubular body, rod persuader and locking shaft having proximal and distal ends and positioned coaxial with one another; positioning the distal end of the insertion instrument, and locking cap, into operative engagement with the spinal rod; engaging the anchoring device with the distal end of the tubular body; rotating the proximal end of the rod persuader to longitudinally advance the locking cap and spinal rod distally towards the anchoring device, the proximal end and the distal end of the rod persuader being rotatable relative to one another; and after the locking cap is advanced, rotating the locking shaft to rotate the locking cap thereby.

US Patent:

20030149438, Aug 7, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/321683

Inventors:

David Nichols - Trumbull CT, US
John Pepper - Cheshire CT, US

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Allendale NJ

International Classification:

A61B017/88
A61B017/70

US Classification:

606/099000, 606/061000, 623/017160

Abstract:

There is provided an insertion instrument that has a first, partially hollow elongated member and a second elongated member that can be positioned relative to the first member. The two members can be locked together and dissociated from each other via a turnbuckle locking mechanism. Each member has a tine protruding at its distal end. When the two members are locked together, the two tines form a fork-like front end for holding an implant during insertion. One tine may be retracted to release the implant in a desired position. There is also provided a method for holding, accurately positioning and inserting the implant into an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. There is further provided a mechanism and method for releasing the implant between adjacent vertebrae, and easily and safely removing the insertion instrument.

US Patent:

20050047568, Mar 3, 2005

Filed:

Aug 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/925425

Inventors:

David Nichols - Armonk NY, US

International Classification:

H04M015/00

US Classification:

379114050, 379114010

Abstract:

Provided is a method, system and software for facilitating transfer of authorized use of a telephone number from a first user to a second user, including receiving an offer to sell from the first user, transmitting the offer to sell to the second user, receiving an offer to buy from the second user, transmitting the offer to buy to the first user, receiving a request from the first user to have the authorized use of the telephone number transferred to the second user, and transmitting the request to a telephone carrier. Also included are methods, systems and software for presenting advertisements to users and charging users and advertisers fees.

US Patent:

20130041411, Feb 14, 2013

Filed:

Oct 17, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/653751

Inventors:

David Nichols - Trumbull CT, US
Eric Finley - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Howmedica Osteonics Corp. - Mahwah NJ

International Classification:

A61B 17/70

US Classification:

606278

Abstract:

A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine which includes a head portion configured to receive a spinal rod, a locking cap configured to engage the head portion and the spinal rod upon rotation of the locking cap relative to the head portion to secure the position of the head portion relative to the spinal rod, and a fastener portion depending from the head portion and configured to engage the spine. The locking cap has discontinuous opposed engagement flanges that are received within opposed engagement slots of the head portion when the locking cap is rotated into a locked position.

US Patent:

59892510, Nov 23, 1999

Filed:

Jun 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/098607

Inventors:

David Nichols - Trumbull CT

Assignee:

Surgical Dynamics, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1758

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

An apparatus is disclosed for connecting first and second elongated spaced apart spinal rods to one another which includes a first connector having structure to engage a first spinal rod at a location along the length thereof and an elongated beam having an axis extending in a direction transverse to the first spinal rod, a second connector having structure to engage a second spinal rod at a location adjacent the first connector and including a reception portion projecting in a direction transverse to the second spinal rod and defining a channel for receiving the elongated beam of the first connector, and a locking member dimensioned and configured to engage the channel along the axis of the beam and secure the position of the beam with respect thereto.

US Patent:

6090111, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Jun 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/098927

Inventors:

David Nichols - Trumbull CT

Assignee:

Surgical Dynamics, Inc. - Norwalk CT

International Classification:

A61B 1756

US Classification:

606 61

Abstract:

A device is disclosed for securing a spinal rod to the spine comprising a fastener having a curvate head portion, a securement body having an interior cavity including a first portion having a first axis and configured to accommodate the curvate head portion of the fastener and a second portion having a second axis and configured to accommodate a spinal rod in such a manner so that the spinal rod and the curvate head portion are in contact with one another, and a locking member configured to linearly engage the second portion of the interior cavity of the securement body along the axis thereof in such a manner so as to secure the relative position of the spinal rod and the head portion of the fastener.