Irvine Firm Wins Patent Fight Over Medical Laser

Trimedyne Inc. said Friday that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has ruled in its favor in a patent dispute involving a medical laser used to clear blocked arteries.

The Irvine-based company said its patent for the laser technology, which it markets under the name Laserprobe, was challenged by an unidentified company with a similar product. But the patent office determined that the patent rights are owned solely by Trimedyne, the company said.

Richard Demmer, corporate secretary, said the patent covered a unique probe on a laser catheter used to treat arteriosclerosis, a clogging of the arteries. The patent applies to the metal tip of a catheter that is heated by a laser to vaporize fatty deposits and clots in blood vessels in the legs.

“We’re delighted the decision went in our favor,” Demmer said. “The litigant involved would pay substantial royalties.”

Under an agreement, Trimedyne declined to identify the competitor that lost the ruling or how much money the company could receive from royalties. The patent office decision cannot be appealed.

Trimedyne sued HGM Medical Laser Systems in Salt Lake City 2 1/2 years ago for allegedly infringing on its patent for a laser catheter tip. Officials at HGM did not return phone calls seeking comment Friday.

In 1987, Trimedyne became the first company to get permission from the Food and Drug Administration to sell a laser catheter to perform the artery-opening procedure known as angioplasty. A Minneapolis company has since received FDA approval to market another kind of laser-angioplasty system.

Demmer said the laser technology accounts for a “substantial” portion of Trimedyne’s sales. He said analysts have estimated the market potential of lasers for angioplasty at about $1 billion.

Trimedyne stock closed Friday at $5 a share, up 62.5 cents in New York Stock Exchange trading.