Medtronic Expands Legal Battle Over Patents

Accuses two companies of infringing a patent for a stent used in the treatment of blood vessels

By: Michael Barbella

Managing Editor

Medtronic Inc., the world’s largest maker of electronic heart devices, has sued Boston Scientific Corp. and Abbot Laboratories, accusing the companies of infringing a patent for a stent used in the treatment of blood vessels.

Medtronic seeks unspecified damages and an order stopping the infringement, according to the complaint filed Wednesday in US District Court in Marshall, TX. The patent covers a stent where a therapeutic substance or drug can be applied.

The suit was filed a day after Boston Scientific sued Medtronic claiming it infringed 10 patents related to grafts used to repair aneurysms. In May, a federal jury told Boston Scientific to pay $250 million to Medtronic for infringing catheter patents. Boston Scientific is challenging the verdict.

SOURCE: Bloomberg News/Boston Globe

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