Surgical Laser Maker Staves Off Ruinous Ruling

Advanced Interventional Systems Inc., already suffering from depressed stock prices, said Thursday that it has temporarily staved off a court order that would have put the company out of business.

The surgical laser manufacturing firm won a reversal by a Washington judge of an order to stop making its laser and related catheters, chief financial officer Richard B. Crosby said.

Advanced Interventional is the only company in the United States with FDA approval to produce and market a laser system that can help clear debilitating plaque from arteries without major surgery. Such a surgical technique, in many cases, eliminates the need for dangerous heart bypass surgery.

But in November a federal jury in Virginia found that Advanced Interventional had infringed on a patent owned by Pillco Limited Partnership. Pillco has not manufactured a laser similar to Advanced Interventional’s product, but claims intellectual rights to the concept.

A federal judge on Monday issued the order for Advanced Interventional to stop manufacturing. But on Wednesday, a judge reversed that injunction. A new hearing is set Jan. 8.