MINNEAPOLIS. –– Medtronic, Inc. announced today that a judge in the Eastern District Court of Virginia last week ruled in Medtronic’s favor in a patent case brought by W.L Gore & Associates, Inc.

The patent in question involved a method of making stent grafts, which are implantable medical devices used to treat aortic aneurysms. The judge determined that Medtronic’s stent grafts did not infringe Gore’s U.S. Patent No. 5,810,870.

"We’re pleased with the court’s decision," said Tony Semedo, vice president and general manager for the Endovascular Therapies at Medtronic, "which enables us to continue our focus on advancing the standard of care for the endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms. In that context, respect for intellectual property remains a core principle that we continuously and vigorously defend. "

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.

Source: Medtronic, Inc.