By Mary Vanac
Simbionix USA settled patent infringement claims from San Jose, Cal.-based Immersion Corp., by licensing Immersion’s haptics technology for use in medical procedure simulators.
Immersion Corp. makes technology that interfaces with users through the sense of touch. In April 2008, Immersion sued Simbionix in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for infringing on patents that cover its technology.
The two companies have signed a non-exclusive, worldwide license agreement for Immersion’s patent portfolio for use in medical training and simulation, ending the infringement case. The companies did not release the terms of the settlement.
“This positive development is definitive validation of our licensing strategy and strengthens the value of our intellectual property,” said Craig Vachon, senior vice president and general manager of Immersion, in a press release. “As a leader in medical simulation, Simbionix understands the critical value of haptics in engaging a clinician’s sense of touch for care giving,” he said.
The agreement enables Immersion and Simbionix to work together.
“We’re pleased with this successful resolution — the agreement lets us get past the cost and distraction of dispute, and allows us to focus on our continued record growth and acceptance of Simbionix products by the simulation industry and professional societies and medical training centers around the world,” said Gary Zamler, chief executive officer of Simbionix, in the release.
The agreement could open doors for Simbionix, the Cleveland company that makes simulators to train doctors and others how to do medical procedures, as well as rehearse procedures using patients’ medical information.
“We are excited about the new agreement, which demonstrates the ability of two leading technology companies to push the boundaries of simulation technology,” said Ran Bronstein, Simbionix founder and president, in the release.