Prior art

US Patent 10426633, titled "Zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacer devices for distraction and spinal fusion and a universal tool for their placement and expansion," was filed on July 2, 2018, and issued on October 1, 2019. This patent is a continuation of a series of applications, with the earliest priority claimed from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/670,231, filed on April 12, 2005.

The "CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS" section of US10426633 details its most relevant prior art, which consists of a family of related patents and applications. These documents generally disclose zero-profile non-expandable and expandable stand-alone intervertebral spinal fusion devices, some incorporating bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screws, and a universal tool for their placement and expansion. Specifically, earlier embodiments included sliding triangular bases with opposing screws, adjustable for height and depth, and an external drill/screw guide/cage expander.

It is important to note that without access to the specific claims of US10426633 or the full text of the cited prior art patents, a detailed claim-by-claim anticipation analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 102 cannot be definitively performed. However, based on the descriptions provided within US10426633, the prior art listed below would broadly anticipate claims related to the fundamental concepts of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, devices with BDFT screws, and associated surgical tools. Any claims in US10426633 directed to the "improved contoured body with tapered edges" or "more advanced... unique calibrated expandable mechanisms" would represent potential distinctions over this prior art.

Below are the most relevant prior art citations from the "CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS" section of US10426633:

1. US 10,016,284 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 10,016,284 B2, issued July 10, 2018, from application Ser. No. 15/820,232, filed November 21, 2017.
   • Brief Description: This patent, a direct parent of US10426633, describes zero-profile non-expandable and expandable stand-alone intervertebral spinal fusion devices. These devices often incorporate bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screws and may feature sliding triangular bases that expand in height and depth via a screw adjuster. It also describes a universal tool for device placement and expansion.
   • Potential Anticipation: Likely anticipates claims of US10426633 relating to zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, devices with BDFT screws, sliding expansion mechanisms, and universal tools for their implantation and expansion.

2. US 9,867,719 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,867,719 B2, issued January 16, 2018, from application Ser. No. 13/210,150, filed August 15, 2011.
   • Brief Description: This patent is part of the continuation chain, disclosing concepts related to zero-profile expandable intervertebral fusion devices, including those with BDFT screws and associated universal tools.
   • Potential Anticipation: Potentially anticipates claims concerning the general design and function of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, particularly those integrating BDFT screws and universal implantation tools.

3. US 9,889,022 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,889,022 B2, issued February 13, 2018, from application Ser. No. 13/210,157, filed August 15, 2011.
   • Brief Description: Another patent in the continuation family, it describes zero-profile expandable intervertebral spinal fusion devices, potentially with BDFT screws, and related methods and tools.
   • Potential Anticipation: May anticipate claims covering the broader aspects of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, BDFT screw integration, and universal tools for spinal fusion.

4. US 9,895,238 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,895,238 B2, issued February 20, 2018, from application Ser. No. 13/210,162, filed August 15, 2011.
   • Brief Description: This patent continues the disclosure of zero-profile expandable intervertebral fusion devices, including embodiments with BDFT screws and universal tools for their deployment.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could anticipate claims broadly covering zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers and the surgical techniques and tools for their use.

5. US 9,907,674 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,907,674 B2, issued March 6, 2018, from application Ser. No. 13/210,168, filed August 15, 2011.
   • Brief Description: Part of the same patent family, this patent further elaborates on zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, including those with BDFT screws, and associated universal instrumentation.
   • Potential Anticipation: Likely anticipates claims related to the fundamental features of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, BDFT screw fixation, and universal tools.

6. US 9,301,854 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,854 B2, issued April 5, 2016, from application Ser. No. 13/741,361, filed January 14, 2013.
   • Brief Description: This patent is another continuation, covering zero-profile non-expandable and expandable intervertebral spinal fusion devices, some with BDFT screws, and related universal tools.
   • Potential Anticipation: May anticipate claims related to the core concepts of zero-profile expandable spacers and the tools used for their implantation.

7. US 8,353,913 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 8,353,913 B2, issued January 15, 2013, from application Ser. No. 13/084,543, filed April 11, 2011.
   • Brief Description: A parent patent, it discloses zero-profile non-expandable and expandable stand-alone intervertebral spinal fusion devices with BDFT screws, sliding bases, and universal tools.
   • Potential Anticipation: This patent broadly anticipates claims related to the core features of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers with BDFT screws and their associated surgical instruments.

8. US 9,005,293 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 9,005,293 B2, issued April 14, 2015, from application Ser. No. 13/108,982, filed May 16, 2011.
   • Brief Description: This patent is a continuation, detailing aspects of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spinal fusion devices, including BDFT screw embodiments and universal tools.
   • Potential Anticipation: Could anticipate claims on the fundamental design and operational principles of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers and accompanying tools.

9. US 7,942,903 B2

   • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,903 B2, issued May 17, 2011, from application Ser. No. 11/842,855, filed August 21, 2007.
   • Brief Description: This is an earlier patent in the chain, disclosing zero-profile non-expandable and expandable stand-alone intervertebral spinal fusion device embodiments with BDFT screws, sliding triangular bases, and universal tools.
   • Potential Anticipation: Likely anticipates claims related to the core inventive concepts of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, especially those with BDFT screws and associated universal instruments.

10. US 7,846,188 B2

    • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,846,188 B2, issued December 7, 2010, from application Ser. No. 11/536,815, filed September 29, 2006.
    • Brief Description: A continuation-in-part application in the family, this patent describes zero-profile non-expandable and expandable stand-alone intervertebral spinal fusion devices with BDFT screws, sliding triangular bases, and universal tools.
    • Potential Anticipation: May anticipate claims covering the foundational elements of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers and their surgical application.

11. US 7,704,279 B2

    • Full Citation: U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,279 B2, issued April 27, 2010, from application Ser. No. 11/208,644, filed August 23, 2005.
    • Brief Description: This patent, a continuation-in-part, details zero-profile non-expandable and expandable stand-alone intervertebral spinal fusion devices with BDFT screws, sliding triangular bases, and universal tools. It directly claims priority to the earliest provisional application.
    • Potential Anticipation: Likely anticipates claims related to the core inventive concepts of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, BDFT screws, and the associated universal instruments.

12. US Provisional Application No. 60/670,231

    • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/670,231, filed April 12, 2005.
    • Brief Description: This is the earliest priority document for the entire patent family. It broadly discloses the initial concepts of zero-profile intervertebral spacer devices, potentially including expandable features, bi-directional screws, and related methods and tools.
    • Potential Anticipation: This foundational provisional application broadly anticipates the core inventive concepts of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacers, the use of bi-directional screws for spinal fusion, and the fundamental principles of associated tools, as described in the summary and field of disclosure of US10426633.

13. US Provisional Application No. 61/801,783

    • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/801,783, filed March 15, 2013.
    • Brief Description: This provisional application is cited by U.S. application Ser. No. 14/063,197, contributing to the development of zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacer devices within the patent family.
    • Potential Anticipation: Likely anticipates claims related to zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacer devices and their specific mechanisms as further refined in later applications.

14. US Provisional Application No. 61/718,707

    • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/718,707, filed October 25, 2012.
    • Brief Description: Also cited by U.S. application Ser. No. 14/063,197, this provisional application would contain disclosures pertinent to zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacer devices.
    • Potential Anticipation: Could anticipate claims related to further developments in zero-profile expandable intervertebral spacer devices and their operational features.