US 12011367

Here's a concise summary of US patent 12011367:

US Patent 12011367: Expandable Intervertebral Device

• Title: Expandable intervertebral device
• Assignee: Moskowitz Family LLC
• Inventors: Ahmnon D. Moskowitz, Mosheh T. Moskowitz, Pablo A. Valdivia Y. Alvarado, Eric Sugalski, Nathan C. Moskowitz, David Schoon
• Filing Date: August 20, 2021 (Application number US17/408,068)
• Issue Date: June 18, 2024
• Abstract: The patent describes a unique, universal Zero-Profile Expandable Intervertebral Spacer (ZP-EIS) device designed for spinal fusion and distraction. It can be inserted via various surgical approaches (anterior, anterolateral, lateral, far lateral, or posterior). The patent provides multiple ZP-EIS embodiments, each with distinct calibrated expansion mechanisms. Two embodiments include bi-directional fixating transvertebral (BDFT) screws, while five others do not. The patent also discloses a universal tool for implanting and expanding these intervertebral devices.

Legal Status Note: The Google Patents entry indicates the legal status as "Expired - Lifetime, expires 2026-03-15". This presents a contradictory statement, as "Lifetime" typically implies the patent is in force for its full term, while the explicit expiration date of March 15, 2026, suggests it has expired (prior to the current date of April 26, 2026). Given the explicit expiration date, the patent is considered expired as of March 15, 2026.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes an expandable spinal fusion device with a top and bottom part that move apart to expand the device. It includes at least one internal guide for a screw and a rotation screw to drive the expansion. Both the top and bottom parts have external surfaces for contacting spinal bones and a hollow space (bone cavity) for bone fusion material. The device also has a tapered edge to help with insertion into the disc space.
• Claim 10: This claim outlines an expandable spinal fusion device similar to Claim 1, with a top and bottom housing that move relative to each other for expansion, at least one internal screw guide, bone-contacting surfaces, and a bone cavity. The key distinguishing feature is a "worm drive mechanism" for expansion, which uses a worm gear that engages a spur gear, with the spur gear connected to the top housing.
• Claim 11: This claim describes a "universal tool" used for intervertebral devices. It comprises a handle, a gripper with multiple prongs, a screw guide (held by the prongs) to direct self-drilling screws into vertebral bodies, and an Allen key for expanding the intervertebral devices.
• Claim 12: This claim specifies an expandable spinal fusion device featuring a "scissors jack expansion mechanism." Similar to Claim 1, it has expandable top and bottom housings, at least one internal screw guide, bone-contacting surfaces, and a bone cavity. The scissors jack mechanism uses a lead screw to linearly push a separation block, which is hinged to an internal linkage arm, causing the top and bottom housings to separate.
• Claim 13: This claim details an expandable spinal fusion device that uses a "tapered thread mechanism of expansion." Like Claim 1, it includes expandable top and bottom housings, at least one internal screw guide, bone-contacting surfaces, and a bone cavity. The tapered thread mechanism involves a rotation screw that allows the top and bottom housings to rotate relative to each other around pins.
• Claim 14: This claim describes an expandable spinal fusion device incorporating an "anchor mechanism of expansion." It shares the core features of expandable top and bottom housings, at least one internal screw guide, bone-contacting surfaces, and a bone cavity. The anchor mechanism employs a lead screw that moves a "translation nut" sideways. This nut is connected to at least two linkage bars, which then push against the top housing to expand the device.
• Claim 15: This claim covers an expandable spinal fusion device with a "modified wedge expansion mechanism." It includes the standard expandable top and bottom housings, at least one internal screw guide, bone-contacting surfaces, and a bone cavity. The modified wedge mechanism utilizes a lead screw that causes a "wedge-shaped translation nut" to move laterally. This wedge-shaped nut then pushes against an inner tapered surface of the top housing, forcing the top housing to rotate away from the bottom housing.

USPTO Database Search:
A search on the USPTO website for patent number 12011367 (literal interpretation) confirms the existence of patent US12011367B2, titled "Expandable intervertebral device", issued on June 18, 2024. The information aligns with the details extracted from Google Patents. No results for similar numbers were returned.

CAFC 2026 Dockets Search:
A search of the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) dockets for the year 2026 regarding patent US12011367 (literal interpretation) did not return any direct results as of April 26, 2026. However, the Google Patents information indicates a "PTAB case IPR2026-00162 filed (Pending)" and a "US case filed in Minnesota District Court (0:25-cv-00769)", both related to this patent family. While these are not CAFC dockets directly, they indicate active litigation related to the patent family. Since the query specifically asked for CAFC 2026 dockets and none were found, I am noting the related litigation in other venues.

US12011367B2 - Expandable intervertebral device - Google Patents. https://patents.google.com/patent/US12011367/en (accessed May 27, 2026).
USPTO Patent Search. https://patents.uspto.gov/ (accessed May 27, 2026).