Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Intelligent Expandable Fusion System

Publication ID: 24-11857437_0008_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Intelligent Expandable Fusion System,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857437_0008_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857437_0008_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,437.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

A novel, synergistic system integrating an expandable fusion device with AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies to facilitate optimal intervertebral fusion outcomes.

Background and Problem Solved

The original expandable fusion device patent has limitations in terms of monitoring and optimizing fusion outcomes. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by combining the expandable fusion device with advanced technologies to create a more powerful system.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The intelligent expandable fusion system comprises an expandable fusion device, a blockchain-based tracking module, an AI-powered analytics engine, and an IoT-enabled sensor array. The system enables real-time monitoring of device performance, spinal stability, and fusion progress, allowing for data-driven optimization of fusion outcomes. The AI-powered analytics engine predicts optimal fusion device configurations, while the blockchain-based tracking module ensures device authenticity and secures patient data.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the novel combination of an expandable fusion device with AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies, providing a synergistic system that overcomes the limitations of the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include variations in the AI-powered analytics engine, such as using machine learning algorithms or deep learning models. Other variations may include the use of different blockchain protocols or IoT-enabled sensor arrays.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The intelligent expandable fusion system has significant commercial potential in the spinal fusion market, particularly in hospitals and clinics seeking to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61F2/447
A A61 A61F2/442
A A61 A61F2/4425
A A61 A61F2/4465
A A61 A61F2/4611
A A61 A61F2002/2817
A A61 A61F2002/2835
A A61 A61F2002/3083
A A61 A61F2002/30266
A A61 A61F2002/30387
A A61 A61F2002/30397
A A61 A61F2002/30405
A A61 A61F2002/30411
A A61 A61F2002/30433
A A61 A61F2002/30471
A A61 A61F2002/30482
A A61 A61F2002/30484
A A61 A61F2002/30507
A A61 A61F2002/30517
A A61 A61F2002/30522
A A61 A61F2002/30523
A A61 A61F2002/30528
A A61 A61F2002/30555
A A61 A61F2002/30556
A A61 A61F2002/30558
A A61 A61F2002/30579
A A61 A61F2002/30593
A A61 A61F2002/30601
A A61 A61F2002/30607
A A61 A61F2002/30828
A A61 A61F2002/30841
A A61 A61F2002/30843
A A61 A61F2002/30904
A A61 A61F2002/443
A A61 A61F2310/00011
A A61 A61F2310/00017
A A61 A61F2310/00023
A A61 A61F2310/00179

Field of Art

Medical device engineering, specifically spinal implant technologies with a focus on intervertebral fusion devices, requiring advanced knowledge of biomechanical engineering, medical device design, and digital health technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with expertise in orthopedic implant design, proficient in mechanical engineering principles, familiar with emerging digital health technologies, and having advanced knowledge of spinal biomechanics and medical device integration

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that integrating digital monitoring and analytics technologies with existing expandable fusion devices represents a predictable evolution of medical device design. The core mechanical functionality of the expandable fusion device remains consistent, while digital technologies provide enhanced performance tracking and optimization. The combination of mechanical implant design with AI, IoT, and blockchain represents a natural progression of medical device innovation driven by increasing digital health capabilities.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Expandable intervertebral fusion device with adjustable endplates and width actuators
PTD Variation
Adding IoT-enabled sensor array to monitor device performance and spinal stability
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating sensors into medical implants is a known technique for real-time monitoring, representing a predictable application of existing digital health technologies to mechanical medical devices
Source Patent Element
Mechanical fusion device designed for precise vertebral spacing
PTD Variation
Implementing AI-powered analytics engine to predict optimal device configurations
Obviousness Reasoning
Using machine learning to optimize medical device performance is a well-established approach in biomedical engineering, representing a finite and predictable solution for improving implant effectiveness
Source Patent Element
Surgical implant with mechanical adjustment capabilities
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based tracking module for ensuring device authenticity and securing patient data
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying blockchain security technologies to medical devices is a foreseeable extension of existing data protection strategies in healthcare technology
Source Patent Element
Intervertebral fusion device with modular design
PTD Variation
Adding detachable AI-powered sensor module for monitoring fusion progress
Obviousness Reasoning
Modular medical device design that allows for additional diagnostic capabilities represents a standard approach to enhancing medical technology functionality
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857437 and the published technical disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the integration of digital health technologies with expandable fusion devices to be an obvious variation. The combination of mechanical implant design with AI, IoT, and blockchain monitoring represents a predictable application of known digital health technologies to existing medical device architectures, thereby rendering potential claims covering such integrations obvious and unpatentable.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,437
TitleExpandable fusion device and method of installation thereof
Assignee(s)Globus Medical, Inc.