Ruling blocks CoreValve sales in Germany

A German court ruled July 12 that Medtronic infringed on a transcatheter heart valve patent owned by Edwards Lifesciences. Medtronic, which was ordered to recall its CoreValve and CoreValve Evolut systems in Germany, said that it planned to appeal the decision.  

The technology at the center of the controversy is the Spenser patent owned by Irvine, Calif.-based Edwards Lifesciences. In a release, Minneapolis-based Medtronic said the patent is being challenged by it and others in a separate proceeding at the European Patent Office. A ruling against Edwards potentially could negate the infringement in Germany.

In its ruling, the District Court of Mannheim granted an injunction that prohibits the sale of CoreValve and CoreValve Evolut systems in Germany and mandates a recall and past damages.