Endotach sues Medtronic over stent graft patents

November 23, 2012 by MassDevice staff

Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) infringes a pair of patents licensed to Endotach LLC with 3 of its stent grafts for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms, according to a lawsuit filed by Endotach against the medtech titan.

The Frisco, Texas-based company holds the exclusive license to the duo of patents from their inventor's widow, according to court documents.

The patents, for "Endovascular Bypass Graft" and "intravascular Stent with Secure Mounting Means," were awarded to Dr. Valentine Rhodes and passed on to his widow after his death in 2000, according to the documents.

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The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern Florida, accuses Medtronic of violating the patents with its Trident, Valiant and Endurant stent grafts.

Last summer Endotach sued 2 other stent graft giants, W.L. Gore & Associates and Cook Medical. The lawsuit against Gore was dismissed voluntarily in early October, according to the documents, and the case against Cook was transferred to the U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana, near Cook's headquarters in Bloomington, Ind.

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