Prior art

The most relevant prior art for US patent 10603183, based on explicit mentions and discussions within its specification, are primarily its ancestral patent applications and one distinguished conventional patent. These are listed below with their respective details and potential anticipation analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Claims of US10603183 (from the provided patent text):
The claims of US10603183 primarily describe an apparatus for spinal fusion (Claim 1), which includes an intervertebral cage with first and second internal screw guides angled bi-directionally, first and second screw members, and a central screw locking lever coupled to the cage that prevents screw pull-out. Subsequent claims (2-12) further detail the central screw locking lever, specifying its rotatable nature, handle and stem portions, rotation axis, locked/unlocked positions, T-shape, and engagement with an opening in the cage. Claims 13-18 introduce an alternative locking mechanism, a screw locking horizontal bracket, detailing its press-fit engagement, cover portion, side tabs with bracket hooks, hook insertion slots, and bracket flexion grips for deformation.

---

Most Relevant Prior Art for US10603183

1. U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/670,231

   • Full Citation: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/670,231.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed April 12, 2005.
   • Brief Description: This provisional application serves as the priority document for the patent family leading to US10603183. It is understood to have disclosed the foundational concepts of the bi-directional screw (BDS) system and its application as bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage constructs.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): As the initial disclosure in the priority chain, this provisional application would likely anticipate the broadest aspects of Claim 1 related to an intervertebral cage, first and second internal screw guides angled bi-directionally, and corresponding screw members. However, the specific "central screw locking lever" (Claims 1-12) and the "screw locking horizontal bracket" (Claims 13-18) are described as "additional evolutionary embodiment[s] not described in the aforementioned related applications" (which includes this provisional application). Thus, the specific locking mechanisms as detailed in claims 1-18 would likely not be fully anticipated by this provisional, though the core BDFT cage and screws might be.

2. U.S. Patent 7,704,279 (Moskowitz et al.)

   • Full Citation: U.S. Patent 7,704,279, titled "STAND-ALONE INTERVERTEBRAL DEVICES HAVING A BI-DIRECTIONAL FIXATING TRANSVERTEBRAL SCREW APPARATUS, AND PLIERS AND METHODS FOR SPINAL FUSION", issued April 27, 2010.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed August 23, 2005 (application Ser. No. 11/208,644).
   • Brief Description: This patent describes stand-alone intervertebral devices featuring a bi-directional fixating transvertebral screw apparatus, which includes intervertebral cages with internal screw guides that orient screws bi-directionally. It also introduces pliers and methods for spinal fusion. The central screw locking lever and horizontal bracket locking mechanisms of US10603183 are stated to be "additional evolutionary embodiment[s] not described in the aforementioned related applications," which includes this patent.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US7704279 would likely anticipate the core structural components of the intervertebral cage, the bi-directional internal screw guides, and the first and second screw members, as broadly recited in Claim 1 of US10603183, excluding the specific central screw locking lever or the screw locking horizontal bracket mechanisms.

3. U.S. Patent 7,846,188 (Moskowitz et al.)

   • Full Citation: U.S. Patent 7,846,188, titled "CALIBRATED INTERARTICULATING JOINT STAPLES, STAPLING GUNS, AND DEVICES FOR SPINAL FUSION", issued December 7, 2010.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed September 29, 2006 (application Ser. No. 11/536,815).
   • Brief Description: This patent primarily focuses on calibrated interarticulating joint staples and corresponding stapling guns for spinal fusion, particularly for lumbar/thoracic facet stapling.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Given its subject matter, US7846188 is unlikely to anticipate claims 1-18 of US10603183, which are specifically directed to the bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus and its locking mechanisms.

4. U.S. Patent 7,942,903 (Moskowitz et al.)

   • Full Citation: U.S. Patent 7,942,903, titled "SPINAL FIXATION DEVICES AND METHODS", issued May 17, 2011.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed August 21, 2007 (application Ser. No. 11/842,855).
   • Brief Description: This patent details spinal fixation devices and methods, further evolving the concepts from earlier patents in the family. Similar to US7704279, the specific locking mechanisms (central lever and horizontal bracket) of US10603183 are identified as "additional evolutionary embodiment[s]" not disclosed in earlier related applications.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent would likely anticipate the fundamental components of the intervertebral cage, bi-directional screw guides, and screw members as broadly outlined in Claim 1 of US10603183, but not the specific "central screw locking lever" or "screw locking horizontal bracket" features.

5. U.S. Patent 7,972,363 (Moskowitz et al.)

   • Full Citation: U.S. Patent 7,972,363, titled "BI-DIRECTIONAL FIXATING TRANSVERTEBRAL BODY SCREW/INTERVERTEBRAL CAGE STAND-ALONE CONSTRUCTS, PLIERS AND DEVICES FOR SPINAL FUSION", issued July 5, 2011.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed March 24, 2008 (application Ser. No. 12/054,335).
   • Brief Description: This patent further describes bi-directional fixating transvertebral screw/cage constructs, pliers, and devices for spinal fusion. It is an ancestor to US10603183, which claims "more advanced screw locking embodiments" over earlier designs.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent likely anticipates the general elements of the intervertebral cage, bi-directional screw guides, and screw members as presented in Claim 1 of US10603183, but not the specific "central screw locking lever" or "screw locking horizontal bracket" components detailed in claims 1-18.

6. U.S. Patent 8,734,516 (Moskowitz et al.)

   • Full Citation: U.S. Patent 8,734,516, 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", issued May 27, 2014.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed May 22, 2009 (application Ser. No. 12/471,340).
   • Brief Description: This patent shares an almost identical title with US10603183 and is a direct ancestor, with US10603183 being a divisional application of a continuation of the application that matured into US8734516. Its title explicitly mentions "a central screw locking lever." US10603183's description notes that its locking mechanism (specifically the central screw locking lever 24) is an "additional evolutionary embodiment not described in the aforementioned related applications." This suggests that while US8734516 introduced the concept, US10603183 might detail specific advancements or variations of this lever.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Due to its direct ancestral relationship and identical title mentioning the "central screw locking lever," US8734516 would very likely anticipate the majority, if not all, of the claims in US10603183, particularly claims 1-12 which relate to the central screw locking lever. If US10603183 presents a minor "evolutionary" improvement, such a difference might not be enough to avoid anticipation for broadly worded claims under § 102, although it could be relevant for a non-obviousness argument under § 103. The horizontal bracket locking mechanism (Claims 13-18) might be a novel addition in US10603183, or a significantly different embodiment not fully disclosed in US8734516, based on the present patent's description of it as "novel" and "unique".

7. U.S. Patent 8,257,370 (Moskowitz et al.)

   • Full Citation: U.S. Patent 8,257,370, titled "POSTERIOR CERVICAL AND LUMBAR INTERARTICULATING JOINT STAPLES, STAPLING GUNS, AND DEVICES FOR SPINAL FUSION", issued September 4, 2012.
   • Publication/Filing Date: The patent is explicitly incorporated by reference in US10603183.
   • Brief Description: This patent specifically pertains to staples and stapling guns designed for posterior cervical and lumbar facet joints.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): The claims 1-18 of US10603183 are directed to the bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screw/cage apparatus and its locking mechanisms. Therefore, US8257370, which focuses on staples and stapling guns, would not anticipate these specific claims. It would, however, be highly relevant prior art for any claims in US10603183 related to staple guns or staples, if such claims were present in the provided claim set.

8. U.S. Patent 4,904,261 (Dove et al.)

   • Full Citation: U.S. Patent 4,904,261, titled "Horseshoe implant", issued February 27, 1990.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed March 28, 1989.
   • Brief Description: US10603183 describes this patent as disclosing a horseshoe implant with cylindrical holes having smooth inner surfaces and a single stop for bone screws. It notes the non-symmetric orientation of five cylindrical holes within the cage. US10603183 explicitly distinguishes itself from this patent by providing symmetric screw hole orientation and novel screw locking mechanisms.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): US4904261, while disclosing an intervertebral implant, does not anticipate claims 1-18 of US10603183 due to the distinct features claimed in US10603183, such as the bi-directional angling of screw guides, symmetric screw orientation, and the specific central screw locking lever or horizontal bracket locking mechanisms.