Healthcare Industry News: negative pressure wound
News Release - July 24, 2009
United States Patent and Trademark Office Confirms Validity of KCI Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Patents
SAN ANTONIO--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI ) today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued Office actions confirming the validity of three separate patents licensed to KCI by Wake Forest University Health Sciences in re-examination proceedings.“The advanced wound care market represents a very competitive environment,” said Stephen Seidel, KCI Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel. “In a competitive market, patents remain important and are a protection due any company that truly innovates. KCI’s patents reflect thorough research undertaken with an eye towards patient care, meaningful clinical outcomes and reduced costs to the healthcare system. That’s what competition and innovation are all about.”
The patents associated with this decision include U.S. Patent Nos. 5,636,643 (the ‘643 Patent), 5,645,081 (the ‘081 Patent), and 7,216,651 (the ‘651 Patent), which all relate to KCI’s negative pressure wound therapy technologies. The USPTO has provided public notice of its intent to issue certificates of re-examination affirming the validity of key claims in the ‘643 Patent and the ‘081 Patent. The USPTO also issued a formal Office action confirming the validity of all claims in the ‘651 Patent.
About KCI
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. is a leading global medical technology company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care, tissue regeneration and therapeutic support system markets. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, KCI's success spans more than three decades and can be traced to a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving the healing and the lives of patients around the world.
The Company employs 6,700 people and markets its products in more than 20 countries. For more information about KCI, and how its products are changing the practice of medicine, visit www.KCI1.com.
Source: Kinetic Concepts
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