Laurence E Dahners

US Patent:

6379359, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

May 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/566187

Inventors:

Laurence E. Dahners - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

A61B 1772

US Classification:

606 62, 606 69

Abstract:

An intrafocal plate and method of use for securing bone fractures comprising an elongated plate element having a flat plate surface at one end thereof defining a top surface and a bottom surface and a leading end and a trailing end. A longitudinally extending resilient body element depends from the trailing end of the flat plate surface so as to define a shoulder at the juncture of the body element and the flat plate surface and a pin at the other end of the body element. The intrafocal plate is formed so that a force applied at the pin end causes a force to be applied in the opposite direction at the flat plate surface. The intrafocal plate is particularly intended for use to secure metaphyseal bone fractures by having the body element of the intrafocal plate inserted into the tubular hollow of the bone through the fracture site so as to cause the shoulder of the intrafocal plate to seat in the fracture site and urge the flat plate surface of the plate element against the outside surface of the bone.

US Patent:

6955677, Oct 18, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271635

Inventors:

Laurence E. Dahners - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

A61B017/56

US Classification:

606 69

Abstract:

A fastening apparatus includes a fastener and a fastener receiving member. The apparatus enables the fastener to be affixed to the fastener receiving member at a variable insertion angle selected by the user. The fastener includes an elongate section and an adjoining head section. Both the elongate section and the head section are threaded. The fastener receiving member includes one or more apertures through which one or more corresponding fasteners can be inserted. Each aperture includes a contact region formed or disposed on an inside surface defining the aperture. The contact region includes a porous matrix of protrusions or fiber metal having a density and strength sufficient to render contact region tappable by the thread of the head section of the fastener. The thread on the head section is driven into the contact region at the selected insertion angle. As a result, the thread of the head section taps into the material of the contact region such that the fastener is affixed to the fastener receiving member and maintained at the insertion angle.

US Patent:

20040111090, Jun 10, 2004

Filed:

Sep 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/672370

Inventors:

Laurence Dahners - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

International Classification:

A61B017/58

US Classification:

606/069000

Abstract:

An intrafocal plate for securing bone fractures comprising a plate element having a flat surface at one end thereof defining a top and a bottom and a leading end and a trailing end. A longitudinally extending resilient body element is connected at one end thereof adjacent to but spaced apart from the trailing end of the flat surface so as to define an overhanging heel between the resilient body element and the trailing end of the flat surface. The body element is formed so as to extend generally in the lengthwise direction of the flat surface and so as the other end of the body element defines a pin element. The overhanging heel formed between the juncture of the body element and the plate element and the trailing edge of the plate element serves to prevent over reduction of a fracture and to generally stabilize the intrafocal plate when inserted into a fracture site of a bone.

US Patent:

20080103489, May 1, 2008

Filed:

Sep 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/903506

Inventors:

Laurence Dahners - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

A61M 27/00

US Classification:

604543000, 602043000

Abstract:

Vacuum adherent dressings and methods and systems for using the vacuum adherent dressing are disclosed. The vacuum adherent dressing is for wound therapy of a wound having wound edges. The vacuum adherent dressing includes a flexible membrane having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a periphery. The membrane is configured to extend over the wound with the periphery of the membrane being distal from the wound edges. A fluid connector is provided on the membrane configured for attachment of a vacuum suction. Sealing jelly is disposed on the bottom surface of the membrane. The sealing jelly is configured to provide a seal between the membrane and a skin surface surrounding the wound up to and including the wound edges. One or more adhesive elements can be placed at one or more locations around the periphery of the membrane for positioning the membrane over the wound.

US Patent:

20080234677, Sep 25, 2008

Filed:

Mar 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/726382

Inventors:

Laurence E. Dahners - Chapel Hill NC, US
Nicholas F. Warner - Cummington MA, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/56

US Classification:

606 60

Abstract:

A fastening apparatus includes a fastener and a fastener receiving member. The apparatus enables the fastener to be affixed to the fastener receiving member at a variable insertion angle selected by the user and further provides an anti-unscrewing feature. The fastener includes an elongate section and an adjoining head section having at least one slot therein. The fastener receiving member includes one or more apertures having a contact region through which one or more corresponding fasteners can be inserted. The contact region includes a matrix of protrusions having a density and strength sufficient to render contact region tappable by the thread of the head section of the fastener. The thread on the head section is driven into the contact region at the selected insertion angle. As a result, the protrusions project into the at least one slot to prevent the fastener from backing out of the fastener receiving member. A fastener driver is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20080234752, Sep 25, 2008

Filed:

Jun 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/818057

Inventors:

Laurence E. Dahners - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

A61B 17/70
A61B 17/58
A61B 17/04

US Classification:

606291, 606282, 606301, 606280

Abstract:

A plate puller device can include a head portion and extension rod portion. The device enables the fastener receiving member to be pulled against a bone surface before a head section of the fastener is advanced within the fastener receiving member into a locked position. The head portion can be positioned between the head section of the fastener and a surface of the fastener receiving member not adjacent to the bone surface. Also, a plate puller device can include a screwdriver, a grasper portion and a grasper sleeve. The grasper portion and grasper sleeve can be threadingly mated wherein rotation of the grasper sleeve forces a head portion of the grasper portion to grip the head section of the fastener to prevent the head section from advancing within the fastener receiving member.

US Patent:

20080240884, Oct 2, 2008

Filed:

Mar 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/728968

Inventors:

Laurence E. Dahners - Chapel Hill NC, US

International Classification:

F16B 39/00

US Classification:

411190

Abstract:

A locking device is provided that includes a nut having a body portion and an end portion. The end portion has a proximal end proximate to the body portion and a distal end. The nut has an inner surface defining a nut aperture that extends through the body portion and the end portion with the inner surface of the nut being at least partially threaded. The locking device also includes a bolt having a head and a body. The head of the bolt defines a head aperture therein that extends into the body of the bolt. The body of the bolt is at least partially threaded to matingly engage the threaded inner surface of the nut. The body also defines at least one slot therein that is in communication with the head aperture. Slats are disposed along the distal end of the end portion of the nut. The slats are configured to engage the at least one slot defined in the body of the bolt.

US Patent:

20130125714, May 23, 2013

Filed:

Nov 29, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/689265

Inventors:

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL - Chapel Hill NC, US
Laurence E. Dahners - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL - Chapel Hill NC

International Classification:

B25B 23/10
F16B 23/00
B25B 15/00

US Classification:

81451, 173 1, 411407

Abstract:

Screw driver-holder apparatuses, systems and methods are provided and can include a screw and a screwdriver. The screw can include a threaded screw body and a screw head, and the screw head can include a socket and a screw head surface surrounding the socket. The screwdriver can include a hollow sleeve with a longitudinal bore and a first end defining a screw engagement surface and a driving shaft positioned within the longitudinal bore of the hollow sleeve and rotatable relative to the hollow sleeve. The driving shaft can further include a first end extending beyond the first end of the hollow sleeve, a second end opposite the first end, and a stop restricting axial movement of the sleeve towards the second end of the driving shaft. The first end can include a protruding tip adapted for engaging the socket of the screw head.