Med-Design Corp. Adds Another Syringe Patent

The Med-Design Corp. in Ventura, which designs safety needle products for medical use, has purchased an early safety syringe patent issued to Dr. Edward Allard in 1989.

Earlier, Med-Design purchased a safety syringe patent that had been issued in 1989 to Dr. John Kulli. The Kulli and Allard patents have long been considered significant for safety syringes employing spring-loaded needle retraction.

With these acquisitions, and Med-Design’s own patent portfolio, the company now owns the most comprehensive portfolio of patents covering spring-loaded, retractable needle safety syringes, company officials said.

“This latest patent acquisition has significantly increased the design and manufacturing flexibility for the company’s safety syringe product and has measurably enhanced its portfolio of intellectual property,” said James Donegan, Med-Design chairman and chief executive.

Med-Design’s syringe and 14 other safety needle products are currently the focus of an option agreement with Becton Dickinson. Under that agreement, Becton Dickinson has until March 24 to acquire worldwide licenses to manufacture and sell these devices, in return for upfront licensing payments.