US 10245085B2

Here is a concise summary of US patent 10245085B2:

Patent Number: US10245085B2
Title: Bone plate with a transfixation screw hole
Assignee: Osteomed LLC
Inventors: Lance Nathan Terrill, Bruce R. Werber
Filing Date: 2017-09-18
Issue Date: 2019-04-02

Abstract:
A system for securing bones together across a joint includes a transfixation screw and a plate. The plate features an elongate spine with a transfixation screw hole. The inner surface of this hole is designed to guide the transfixation screw through it, allowing the screw to extend alongside a bridge portion of the plate. The screw's trajectory is configured to pass through a first position on a first bone and a second position on a second bone once the plate is positioned across the joint. The transfixation screw itself has a head that abuts the inner surface of the screw hole and a shaft that continuously extends through the first bone, across the joint, and into the second bone.

Independent Claim Overview:

• Claim 1 (System for securing bones): This claim describes a system for joining two separate bones across a joint. The system comprises a plate with an elongated spine. This spine has a first end for attaching to a first bone and a second end for attaching to a second bone, with a bridge portion in between that spans the joint. Crucially, the bridge portion includes a thickened area, which is thicker than at least parts of the first or second ends of the plate. An aperture, forming a transfixation screw hole, is located at this thickened portion of the bridge. The inner surface of this screw hole is specifically designed to guide a transfixation screw along a trajectory that passes through both the first and second bones when the plate is in place over the joint.

Litigation Information:
The patent family for US10245085B2 is involved in litigation. Specifically, cases related to this patent have been filed in:

• The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC), with case numbers 23-1929 and 23-1979. These cases were filed in 2023 and may still be ongoing in 2026.
• The Illinois Northern District Court, case number 1:20-cv-06821.
• The Delaware District Court, case number 1:20-cv-01621.
• A PTAB case, IPR2021-01453, which has a Final Written Decision.
• The first worldwide family litigation has also been filed.