US 11376136

Here's a concise summary of US patent 11376136:

Title: Expandable spinal implant and tool system

Assignee: Moskowitz Family LLC

Inventors: Ahmnon D. Moskowitz, Pablo A. Valdivia Y. Alvarado, Mosheh T. MOSKOWITZ, Nathan C. Moskowitz

Filing Date: January 16, 2020

Issue Date: July 5, 2022

Abstract:
The patent discloses a self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus. This apparatus includes at least first and second sliding boxes, each containing a self-drilling screw member with a tapered end and a threaded body. An adjuster mechanism is included to modify the height of these sliding boxes. The purpose of these screw members is to be screwed into adjacent vertebral bodies to facilitate their fusion. The patent also describes that multiple such apparatuses can be connected or integrated using a plate or a cage. Additionally, a cervical facet staple is disclosed, featuring a curved staple base and at least two prongs attached to its bottom surface.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: Describes a self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus. This apparatus includes a first sliding box and a second sliding box positioned relative to the first. A first screw with a tapered end and threaded body is inside the first box, and a second screw with a tapered end and threaded body is inside the second box. An adjuster is included to change the height of these sliding boxes.
• Claim 11: Describes a self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus that includes a single box. This box contains a first screw member and a second screw member, both having a tapered end and a threaded body, and both laterally aligned within the box. The box also features multiple ridges along its sides.
• Claim 13: Describes a self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus with a first box and a second box. A first screw member is within the first box, and a second screw member is within the second box, both screws having tapered ends, threaded bodies, and being laterally aligned with their respective boxes. An attachment member is included to engage the first and second boxes.
• Claim 16: Describes a tool assembly specifically for manipulating a self-drilling bone fusion screw apparatus. It comprises a handle, a gripper that works with the handle and has multiple prongs, and a screw guide held by these prongs. This screw guide helps control the direction of self-drilling screws as they are inserted into a vertebral body.
• Claim 20: Describes a cervical facet staple. This staple features a curved staple base, at least two prongs attached to the bottom surface of this base, and an insertion member located on the top surface of the curved staple base.
• Claim 23: Describes an impaction tool designed for a cervical facet staple. This tool includes a handle, a stem connected to the handle, several wings for contacting the cervical facet staple, and an insertion member that couples the staple to the impaction tool.
• Claim 25: Describes a lumbar facet staple. This staple has a pair of rotating arms, at least two prongs attached to the inner surfaces of these arms, multiple spurs on one of the rotating arms, and a ratchet also attached to one of the rotating arms. The rotating arms and prongs are designed to be rotated to a closed position to staple a lumbar facet joint.

Litigation Information:
As of April 26, 2026, the patent family for US11376136 shows pending litigation. This includes:

• A PTAB case, IPR2026-00163, which is pending.
• A US case filed in the Minnesota District Court, case number 0:25-cv-00769.
• A US case filed in the Delaware District Court, case number 1:25-cv-00711.
• The first worldwide family litigation was filed on August 23, 2005.

No specific CAFC 2026 dockets for US11376136 were found in a direct search of publicly available information, though it's possible appeals from the PTAB or District Court cases could eventually reach the CAFC.