Prior art

US Patent 12349941B2, titled "Bone positioning and cutting system and method," claims methods for performing bunion surgery to correct an alignment between a first metatarsal and a first cuneiform using a bone positioning device and a bone cutting guide. The patent has a priority date of July 15, 2014.

Based on an analysis of the citations listed in US12349941B2 on Google Patents, focusing on those marked as "Cited by examiner" and having a priority or filing date prior to July 15, 2014, the following patents are identified as potentially relevant prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

Relevant Prior Art for US12349941B2

1. US4988349A

   • Full Citation: US4988349A, "Device for osteosynthesis," inventors Orthofix S.R.L., published January 29, 1991.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed January 21, 1987; Published January 29, 1991.
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a device for osteosynthesis, featuring an external fixator with a bracket, clamps, and elements for compression and distraction of bone fragments. The device is designed to secure bone fragments relative to each other.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference potentially anticipates elements of claims 1 and 18, specifically the broad concept of "engaging a bone positioning device with a first bone... and with a second bone" using fixation pins and "compressing the first metatarsal and the first cuneiform together" or generally applying compression/distraction forces. The multi-axis adjustability and precise cutting guide features of US12349941B2 would likely differentiate it. The "bracket for external fixation of bones" described in US4988349A covers the general idea of fixing bones with pins and a device.

2. US4565191A

   • Full Citation: US4565191A, "Apparatus and method for performing cuneiform osteotomy," inventors Slocum, D. Barclay, published January 21, 1986.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed January 12, 1984; Published January 21, 1986.
   • Brief Description: This patent details an apparatus and method for performing a cuneiform osteotomy. It includes a guide for making precise bone cuts, particularly for correcting splayfoot, and discusses the use of a cutting guide in relation to foot bones.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent directly addresses "cuneiform osteotomy" and includes a "guide for making precise bone cuts." This explicitly anticipates the "cutting a leading edge of the first metatarsal" and potentially "cutting a leading edge of the first cuneiform" as described in claims 1, 3, 5, 18, and 21 of US12349941B2. The novelty in US12349941B2 may lie in the specific configuration of the bone positioning device with multi-planar adjustment and the integrated, offset joint plate/guide feature, as well as the sequential steps in the claimed methods of bunion surgery.

3. US20130012949A1

   • Full Citation: US20130012949A1, "Osteotomy guide and method," inventors Mtp Solutions, Llc, published January 10, 2013.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed July 8, 2011; Published January 10, 2013.
   • Brief Description: This publication describes an osteotomy guide and related methods. While the full description is not immediately available, the title indicates a focus on guiding bone cuts.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference broadly relates to "osteotomy guide and method," which could potentially anticipate the steps of "aligning a bone cutting guide... and using the guide feature... to guide a cutting tool to cut a leading edge" as found in claims 1 and 18. The specific features of the bone cutting guide in US12349941B2, such as the joint plate offset from a guide feature and extending downwardly, and its use in conjunction with a multi-axis bone positioning device, would be key to distinguishing.

4. US8882816B2

   • Full Citation: US8882816B2, "Fixation and alignment device and method used in orthopaedic surgery," inventors Proactive Orthopedics, Llc, published November 11, 2014.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed August 2, 2007; Published November 11, 2014. (Note: Publication date is after US12349941B2's priority date, but the filing date of 2007 is prior, making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(2)).
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a fixation and alignment device and method for use in orthopedic surgery. The abstract mentions "a system and method for fixation and alignment of skeletal components during orthopedic surgery," involving securing bone segments with pins and providing an adjustable connection for alignment.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference potentially anticipates the broad concept of "engaging a bone positioning device with a first bone... and with a second bone using a first fixation pin and a second fixation pin" and "adjust[ing] an alignment... in multiple planes" as recited in claims 1 and 18. The specific details of the multi-axis joint (e.g., ball and socket) and the integration with the cutting guide and compression screw in US12349941B2 would need to be thoroughly compared to establish novelty.

5. US10888365B2

   • Full Citation: US10888365B2, "Lapidus screw guide assembly and method of insertion," inventors Tyber Medical, LLC, published January 12, 2021.
   • Publication/Filing Date: Filed October 19, 2012; Published January 12, 2021. (Note: Publication date is after US12349941B2's priority date, but the filing date of 2012 is prior, making it prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(2)).
   • Brief Description: This patent describes a Lapidus screw guide assembly and method of insertion, directly addressing the Lapidus procedure, which is a bunion correction surgery involving the first metatarsal and first cuneiform. The title suggests a focus on guiding screw insertion for fixation rather than bone cutting directly.
   • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While focusing on screw insertion, the patent's direct relevance to the "Lapidus procedure" and "correct[ing] an alignment between a first metatarsal and a first cuneiform" (claims 1 and 18) makes it highly relevant. It could potentially anticipate the "fixing a position of the first metatarsal relative to the first cuneiform with a bone connector" step (claims 1 and 18), especially if the bone connector is a screw. The distinct feature of US12349941B2 lies in its comprehensive system encompassing multi-axis bone positioning, a specific cutting guide with a joint plate, and subsequent compression and fixation.