Globus launches patent suit over spinal implant tech
Medical device company, Globus Medical, has filed a lawsuit against competitor Life Spine, alleging infringement of seven different patents related to spinal tech implant technology.
The suit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, seeking injunctive relief and damages for infringement.
In a statement, Dave Demski, president and CEO of Globus, said: “We’ve invested tremendous effort and millions of dollars in research and development to create innovative technology to improve the lives of patients, generating over 256 patents related to expandable interbody implants alone.
“Our IP is a critical component in making such advancements possible, and we are committed to protecting our proprietary technology against companies that benefit from making and distributing infringing devices.”
Globus manufactures and sells expandable spinal implants used in fusion procedures, a type of surgery used to treat painful spine conditions, such as degenerative disc disease that results from the weakening of the intervertebral discs that cushion the vertebrae.
According to Globus, the disputed patented technology is covered by US patent numbers 8,845,731,8,845,732 9,402,739, 9,956,087, 10,137,00, 10,925,752, and 10,973,649.
In January 2011, Globus launched “Caliber”, its first expandable intervertebral implant, followed by its “Rise” and “Elsa” families of expandable implant products. According to its complaint, LifeSpine infringed the patents covering these implants with the launch of its “ProLift” family of spinal implants.
Globus alleged that Life Spine studied existing patents in the spinal fusion space when developing “ProLift”, which had devices that featured an upper endplate, lower endplate, base ramp, nose ramp, and a screw that is used to expand the implant. Life Spine then included these same infringing features in its design of the ProLift, it argued.
In concluding its complaint, Globus requested a jury trial to assess all the allegations contained in the filing.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.
