
Stryker (NYSE:SYK) sued a quartet of rivals last week, alleging that they infringe one of its patents covering a hip implant component.
The Kalamazoo, Mich.-based orthopedics giant leveled the suits against Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics, Wright Medical (NSDQ:WMGI), Smith & Nephew (FTSE:SN, NYSE:SNN) and Zimmer (NYSE:ZMH). The lawsuits allege that all 4 companies violate a Stryker patent for "Acetabular Cup Assembly With Selected Bearing," according to court documents.*
The component, an acetabular cup "featuring a dual-locking mechanism and capable of accommodating a plurality of bearings with different characteristics," has allowed Stryker to achieve "significant commercial success," according to documents filed in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey.
All of the allegedly infringing devices contain the dual-locking mechanism claimed in the Stryker patent, are capable of accommodating 1 of a plurality of bearing members and infringe the patent via "other aspects," according to the documents.
Stryker wants a jury trial in each case, as well as findings of infringement, injunctions barring further infringement and damages.
*Correction, August 13, 2014: This article originally failed to note that Stryker also sued Smith & Nephew. Return to the corrected sentence.