US 11864755

US patent 11864755, titled "Artificial expandable implant systems," was granted to Moskowitz Family LLC on January 9, 2024, from an application filed on March 22, 2021 (Application number US17/208,640). The inventors are Mosheh T. Moskowitz and Nathan C. Moskowitz.

The abstract describes an apparatus and method for joining members using either a self-drilling screw apparatus or a stapling apparatus. The screw apparatus features a shell containing first and second threaded screw members with tapered ends. A drive mechanism rotates these screw members in opposite directions, embedding them into the members to be joined. This screw apparatus can be applied to bones, spinal columns, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. The stapling apparatus consists of two lever arms that pivot at a fulcrum, with cartridges at their ends holding staples. When the lever arms are brought together, the staples interlock. These staples can also be used to join bones, portions of the spinal column, or vertebral bodies.

A plain-language overview of the independent claims is as follows:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes an artificial spinal implant system that is designed to expand. It includes a first shell and a second shell, each having a surface with features (like spikes) that grip the vertebrae. An expansion mechanism is situated between these shells, connected to their inner surfaces. This mechanism has a threaded body and a turning mechanism, and a surface where a tool can engage. When a tool is rotated, it causes the turning mechanism to operate, expanding the implant to push the shells apart and embed their gripping features into the opposing vertebral bodies. The tool-engagement surface is accessible by a tool inserted along the implant's direction of insertion. The first shell also has a through-hole (cavity), and the gripping features are arranged around this cavity.
• Independent Claim 12: This claim also describes an artificial spinal implant system configured for expansion. It features a first shell and a second shell, both with vertebral-engaging surfaces and engagement features. An expansion mechanism is located between these shells, connected to their inner surfaces, and includes a tool-engagement surface and at least one rotating gear. When a tool is rotated via the tool-engagement surface, it causes the gear to rotate, which drives the expansion of the implant between the shells. The implant is designed to engage and hold onto opposing vertebral bodies through its engagement features upon expansion. Similar to Claim 1, the tool-engagement surface is positioned for engagement by a tool extending along the direction of insertion, and the first shell has a cavity with engagement features circumferentially positioned around it.

Regarding litigation, a search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 11864755 did not yield any results as of April 26, 2026. However, the provided patent data indicates ongoing litigation related to the patent family in other forums, including:

• "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip shows litigation filed for family ID 40583835, which includes US11864755B2.
• A US case was filed in the Minnesota District Court (case 0:25-cv-00769).
• A PTAB case, IPR2026-00121, has been filed and is pending.
  I do not have authoritative information on the details or current status of these litigation cases.US patent 11864755, titled "Artificial expandable implant systems," was granted to Moskowitz Family LLC on January 9, 2024, from an application filed on March 22, 2021 (Application number US17/208,640). The inventors are Mosheh T. Moskowitz and Nathan C. Moskowitz.

The abstract describes an apparatus and method for joining members using either a self-drilling screw apparatus or a stapling apparatus. The screw apparatus features a shell containing first and second threaded screw members with tapered ends. A drive mechanism rotates these screw members in opposite directions, embedding them into the members to be joined. This screw apparatus can be applied to bones, spinal columns, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. The stapling apparatus consists of two lever arms that pivot at a fulcrum, with cartridges at their ends holding staples. When the lever arms are brought together, the staples interlock. These staples can also be used to join bones, portions of the spinal column, or vertebral bodies.

A plain-language overview of the independent claims is as follows:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes an artificial spinal implant system that is designed to expand. It includes a first shell and a second shell, each having a surface with features (like spikes) that grip the vertebrae. An expansion mechanism is situated between these shells, connected to their inner surfaces. This mechanism has a threaded body and a turning mechanism, and a surface where a tool can engage. When a tool is rotated, it causes the turning mechanism to operate, expanding the implant to push the shells apart and embed their gripping features into the opposing vertebral bodies. The tool-engagement surface is accessible by a tool inserted along the implant's direction of insertion. The first shell also has a through-hole (cavity), and the gripping features are arranged around this cavity.
• Independent Claim 12: This claim also describes an artificial spinal implant system configured for expansion. It features a first shell and a second shell, both with vertebral-engaging surfaces and engagement features. An expansion mechanism is located between these shells, connected to their inner surfaces, and includes a tool-engagement surface and at least one rotating gear. When a tool is rotated via the tool-engagement surface, it causes the gear to rotate, which drives the expansion of the implant between the shells. The implant is designed to engage and hold onto opposing vertebral bodies through its engagement features upon expansion. Similar to Claim 1, the tool-engagement surface is positioned for engagement by a tool extending along the direction of insertion, and the first shell has a cavity with engagement features circumferentially positioned around it.

Regarding litigation, a search of the CAFC 2026 dockets for US patent 11864755 did not yield any results as of April 26, 2026. However, the provided patent data indicates ongoing litigation related to the patent family in other forums, including:

• "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip shows litigation filed for family ID 40583835, which includes US11864755B2.
• A US case was filed in the Minnesota District Court (case 0:25-cv-00769).
• A PTAB case, IPR2026-00121, has been filed and is pending.
  I do not have authoritative information on the details or current status of these litigation cases.US patent 11864755, titled "Artificial expandable implant systems," was granted to Moskowitz Family LLC on January 9, 2024, from an application filed on March 22, 2021 (Application number US17/208,640). The inventors are Mosheh T. Moskowitz and Nathan C. Moskowitz.

The abstract describes an apparatus and method for joining members using either a self-drilling screw apparatus or a stapling apparatus. The screw apparatus features a shell containing first and second threaded screw members with tapered ends. A drive mechanism rotates these screw members in opposite directions, embedding them into the members to be joined. This screw apparatus can be applied to bones, spinal columns, vertebral bodies, wood, building materials, metals, masonry, or plastics. The stapling apparatus consists of two lever arms that pivot at a fulcrum, with cartridges at their ends holding staples. When the lever arms are brought together, the staples interlock. These staples can also be used to join bones, portions of the spinal column, or vertebral bodies.

A plain-language overview of the independent claims is as follows:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes an artificial spinal implant system that is designed to expand. It includes a first shell and a second shell, each having a surface with features (like spikes) that grip the vertebrae. An expansion mechanism is situated between these shells, connected to their inner surfaces. This mechanism has a threaded body and a turning mechanism, and a surface where a tool can engage. When a tool is rotated, it causes the turning mechanism to operate, expanding the implant to push the shells apart and embed their gripping features into the opposing vertebral bodies. The tool-engagement surface is accessible by a tool inserted along the implant's direction of insertion. The first shell also has a through-hole (cavity), and the gripping features are arranged around this cavity.
• Independent Claim 12: This claim also describes an artificial spinal implant system configured for expansion. It features a first shell and a second shell, both with vertebral-engaging surfaces and engagement features. An expansion mechanism is located between these shells, connected to their inner surfaces, and includes a tool-engagement surface and at least one rotating gear. When a tool is rotated via the tool-engagement surface, it causes the gear to rotate, which drives the expansion of the implant between the shells. The implant is designed to engage and hold onto opposing vertebral bodies through its engagement features upon expansion. Similar to Claim 1, the tool-engagement surface is positioned for engagement by a tool extending along the direction of insertion, and the first shell has a cavity with engagement features circumferentially positioned around it.

Regarding litigation, a direct search for US patent 11864755 in the CAFC 2026 dockets did not explicitly return this specific patent number. However, the assignee, Moskowitz Family LLC, is involved in a case (24-1696, Moskowitz Family LLC v. Globus Medical, Inc.) listed on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit's May 2026 schedule. The provided patent data also indicates that the patent family has ongoing litigation, including a US case filed in the Minnesota District Court (case 0:25-cv-00769) and a pending PTAB case (IPR2026-00121). I do not have authoritative information on the details or current status of these litigation cases.