US 10064738

US patent 10064738, titled "Bi-directional fixating/locking transvertebral body screw/intervertebral cage stand-alone constructs having a central screw locking lever, and pliers and devices for spinal fusion," was filed on April 18, 2017, and issued on September 4, 2018. [cite: The provided patent text] The current assignee is Moskowitz Family LLC, and the inventors are Ahmnon D. Moskowitz, Nathan C. Moskowitz, Mosheh T. MOSKOWITZ, and Pablo A. Valdivia Y. Alvarado. [cite: The provided patent text]

Abstract Overview:
The patent describes a bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus designed for spinal fusion. This apparatus includes an intervertebral cage to maintain disc height, which has a first and second internal screw guide, and corresponding first and second screw members. [cite: The provided patent text] A key feature is a central screw locking lever that prevents the screws from pulling out. [cite: The provided patent text] This locking lever can be a rotatable handle and stem or a horizontal screw locking bracket. [cite: The provided patent text] Additionally, the patent covers a specialized pliers device for inserting and removing this apparatus, as well as posterior cervical and lumbar facet joint staples and their respective staple guns. [cite: The provided patent text]

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus. It includes an intervertebral cage with specific internal screw guides that are angled to direct two screw members in opposite bi-directional paths. [cite: The provided patent text] These screw guides are aligned along the cage's length. The apparatus also features a central screw locking lever connected to the cage, which prevents the two screw members from pulling out. [cite: The provided patent text]

• Claim 17: This claim focuses on a pliers device used for inserting and removing the locking mechanism of the BDFT screw/cage apparatus. [cite: The provided patent text] The pliers consist of two rotatably connected arms, each with a handle on one end and a plier tip on the other. [cite: The provided patent text] The plier tips are designed with stops to engage the flexion grips (side tabs) of the locking mechanism. [cite: The provided patent text] The pliers also include a leaf spring that biases the handles open. [cite: The provided patent text]

• Claim 19: This claim describes a staple gun specifically for a lumbar facet joint staple. [cite: The provided patent text] It has a handle with upper and lower bars, a hollow cylinder body for receiving the staple, and a connector linking the cylinder to the handle, allowing the handle bars to pivot. [cite: The provided patent text] A puller extends through the cylinder and is connected to the handle, with a puller tip at its first end for holding the staple. [cite: The provided patent text] The puller tip can move between open and closed positions when the handle is open, but is locked in the closed position by the cylinder body when the handle is closed. [cite: The provided patent text]

• Claim 26: This claim outlines a method for surgically inserting a bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus between two vertebral bodies. [cite: The provided patent text] The method involves placing the intervertebral cage into the disc space until it is flush or countersunk, then inserting and screwing two screw members into the vertebral bodies through internal guides in the cage. [cite: The provided patent text] Finally, the method includes locking these screw members in place within the intervertebral cage using a central screw locking lever, which prevents them from pulling out. [cite: The provided patent text]

Litigation Information:
As of April 26, 2026, there is ongoing litigation related to US Patent 10064738. A PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2026-00265, has been filed and is pending. [cite: The provided patent text] Additionally, a US case (0:25-cv-00769) has been filed in the Minnesota District Court. [cite: The provided patent text] No direct CAFC 2026 docket information was found for this specific patent number, but PTAB decisions are appealable to the CAFC.