Medtronic wins patent appeal vs. Biomet

MEMPHIS, March 20 (UPI) -- U.S. device firm Medtronic said Tuesday it has prevailed on an appeal in a patent dispute with rival Biomet.

The company said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that Medtronic's multi-axial pedicle screws used in spinal procedures -- sold under the brand names CD Horizon, Legacy, Vertex and CD Horizon Sextant -- do not infringe any patent claims held by Biomet's subsidiary, Cross Medical.

Medtronic had prevailed in court on a number of related patents covering spinal surgery products, but had appealed regarding a single patent on which the lower court had ruled against the firm.

The device maker said it would continue to pursue its own patent infringement claims against Biomet.