Prior art — US Patent 10245085B2

Most Relevant Prior Art for US10245085B2

Based on the prior art landscape for US10245085B2, particularly informed by the IPR2021-01453 proceedings which led to the cancellation of several claims, two highly relevant prior art documents are Veri et al. (US 2010/0121379 A1) and Zickel et al. (US 2012/0265239 A1). These references were key to the PTAB's findings of unpatentability, primarily on grounds of obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § 103, but their disclosures are also highly pertinent to potential anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Here is an analysis of these two key prior art references:

1. Veri et al. (US 2010/0121379 A1)

Full Citation: Veri et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0121379 A1, titled "Bone plate for arthrodesis" [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100121379A1/en].
Publication/Filing Date:
- Publication Date: May 13, 2010 [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100121379A1/en].
- Filing Date: November 10, 2009 [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20100121379A1/en].
Brief Description: This patent application describes bone plates and methods for arthrodesis (joint fusion), particularly in foot and ankle applications. The plates are designed with multiple screw holes, which can include locking holes and compression holes, to achieve stable fixation of bones. The plates may also be anatomically contoured to conform to specific bone geometries. The primary focus is on providing rigid mechanical stability to facilitate joint fusion.
Potential Anticipation of US10245085B2 claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102:
- Veri et al. potentially anticipates broader aspects of US10245085B2 Claim 1, such as a "plate comprising an elongate spine having a first end... a second end... and a bridge portion disposed between the first end and the second end, the bridge portion having a portion configured to span across the joint" and the inclusion of "at least one attachment point for attaching the first end to a first discrete bone...". However, based on its abstract, it does not explicitly disclose all the specific limitations of Claim 1, particularly the combination of a "thickened portion having a thickness greater than at least a portion of a thickness of either the first end or the second end" within the bridge portion, and an "aperture defining a transfixation screw hole disposed along the spine at the thickened portion... configured to direct a transfixation screw... at a trajectory configured to pass through a first position on the first discrete bone and a second position on the second discrete bone". The detailed configuration for directing a transfixation screw at a specific trajectory for a tension band effect, as described in US10245085B2, is not overtly present in the abstract of Veri et al. Therefore, while providing foundational elements, it is unlikely to singularly anticipate all unique aspects of Claim 1 and its dependent claims (e.g., claims 6 and 8) under a strict 35 U.S.C. § 102 analysis based on the available summary.

2. Zickel et al. (US 2012/0265239 A1)

Full Citation: Zickel et al., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0265239 A1, titled "Bone plate for joint fusion" [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20120265239A1/en].
Publication/Filing Date:
- Publication Date: October 18, 2012 [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20120265239A1/en].
- Filing Date: March 27, 2012 [cite: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20120265239A1/en].
Brief Description: This patent application details bone plates and related systems designed for joint fusion, often specifically adapted for foot and ankle surgeries. The plates incorporate various screw holes to achieve rigid fixation and may include features to apply compression across the joint, thereby promoting bone fusion. The invention emphasizes achieving mechanical stability and anatomical conformity to aid proper bone healing.
Potential Anticipation of US10245085B2 claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102:
- Similar to Veri et al., Zickel et al. discloses many broad features of US10245085B2 Claim 1, such as a bone plate with an elongate spine, attachment points at its ends for securing to discrete bones, and a bridge portion spanning a joint. However, based on its abstract, it does not explicitly disclose all the specific limitations of Claim 1, particularly the precise combination of a "thickened portion" within the bridge and a "transfixation screw hole" configured with an inner surface to direct a transfixation screw along a specific trajectory that passes through both bones. Therefore, while it provides strong background art for the general field of bone plates for joint fusion and contributed significantly to obviousness findings in the IPR, it is not likely to singularly anticipate all the novel and specific aspects of Claim 1 and its related dependent claims (e.g., claims 6 and 8) of US10245085B2 under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

It is important to note that the PTAB in IPR2021-01453 found claims 1-6 and 8-9 of US10245085B2 to be unpatentable, primarily on grounds of obviousness (35 U.S.C. § 103), often through combinations of references including Veri et al. and Zickel et al. While these references are highly relevant, their individual disclosures, as summarized in their abstracts, do not necessarily meet the strict "all elements" test for anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102 for the distinctive features of US10245085B2's Claim 1 concerning the thickened bridge and precisely directed transfixation screw hole.