Founder of Luther Medical Starts Competing Company

Inventor Ronald B. Luther, whose former company, Luther Medical Products Inc., was sold recently to New Jersey-based Becton Dickinson & Co., announced Tuesday that he has started a new company to compete in the worldwide market for catheters that fit over needles.

Luther’s former company, based in Tustin, changed hands in a $16.6-million deal and is expected to be relocated to Salt Lake City soon. The 20-year-old company has been a leading manufacturer of IV catheters.

The new company, Luther Research Partners LLC, will be based in Irvine and have five employees. Luther said he is using money from the sale of his old company to start his new venture, but is still looking for additional financing.

Luther, 66, said he has filed three new patents for catheter products. He had been granted 39 other patents over the last 20 years.

“I’m doing this because I’m addicted to inventing catheters,” he said. “These new products are capable of being leaders in their various product segments.”