Say hello to MassDevice +3, a bite-sized view of the top three medtech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 3 biggest and most influential stories from the day’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.
3. Gore asks U.S. Supreme Court to revisit $1B loss to Bard
W.L. Gore & Associates asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit its $1 billion infringement loss to C.R. Bard over stent graft patents, saying the high court should determine whether patents must be conveyed in writing.
Gore is on the hook for more than $1 billion in damages owed to Murray Hill, N.J.-based Bard, after the Federal Circuit Appeals Court in January upheld a judgment of willful infringement, tacking on an extra $205 million to the $854 million already owed. In May Bard said it received a willfulness damages payment of $209 million from Gore, which had asked the Federal Circuit for a rehearing and an en banc rehearing; the appeals court rebuffed Gore without comment in April. Read more
2. Medtronic launches lung biopsy device
Medtronic said it launched the GenCut core lung biopsy system designed for use with its superDimension navigation system.
The system allows for surgeons to collect multiple core samples from difficult-to-reach areas in the lung, which can decrease procedure times, the Fridley, Minn.-based company said. GenCut’s new blade design also allows for larger, more intact samples to be collected, Medtronic said. Read more
1. Retaliation claims stand in ex-rep’s suit against ConMed
The retaliation claim leveled against ConMed by a former sales rep who accused the company of firing him because he’s Iranian-American can stand, a federal appeals court ruled, but found that a lower court’s dismissal of a discrimination claim can also stay on the books.
Reza Yasdian was a territory manager for ConMed’s endoscope business in Cincinnati from April 2005 until he was fired in July 2010, according to court documents filed with the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Read more
