IRIDEX Sues Synergetics Over Disposable Laser Probe

Mountain View, CA-based IRIDEX has filed a suit against Synergetics USA of St. Charles, MO for patent infringement of disposable laser probe technology.
    IRIDEX, a maker of semiconductor-based laser systems for the ophthalmology and dermatology markets, filed the suit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. IRIDEX seeks monetary damages as well as a permanent injunction against Synergetics for the sales of its Quick Disconnect laser probes.
    “Over the years, IRIDEX has invested significantly in its intellectual property, as evidenced by the fact that we have 17 issued patents and at least three others in the application process,” said IRIDEX CEO Barry G. Caldwell
    In response to the suit, Synergetics officials said that going back as far as 1999, that IRIDEX had mentioned that that Synergetics’ Quick Disconnect Laser Probes and Adapter infringed its patent.
    “It is unclear why IRIDEX waited over six years to file a patent infringement lawsuit if it truly believed that Synergetics’ products infringe its patent,” said Synergetics CEO Gregg D. Scheller. “Given the time that has lapsed, we assumed this issue was resolved long ago, and I am very surprised that IRIDEX has chosen this course of action.  We will vigorously defend our intellectual property position.”