Judge Rules for O.C. Company in Patent Suit

An Orange County medical device maker, Applied Medical Resources Corp., has won the first round in a patent infringement suit against a large competitor that has already paid the firm millions previously for alleged violations.

Federal Judge Alicemarie H. Stotler ruled last week that U.S. Surgical Corp. has infringed on two of Applied Medical’s patents involving trocars, tubes through which surgeons insert cameras and other instruments to perform surgeries.

Applied Medical could seek damages in the “tens of millions,” said Nabil Hilal, senior vice president of legal and intellectual property at Applied Medical.

William K. West, Applied Medical’s attorney, said U.S. Surgical is expected to challenge the validity of Applied Medical’s patents in court before the case can proceed to the damages phase.

U.S. Surgical officials did not respond to a request for comment.

In June 1997, Applied Medical was awarded $22.5 million from U.S. Surgical after winning a lawsuit that accused the company of infringing on patents involving abdominal tubes used for less-invasive surgeries. The award was upheld on appeal.

Founded in 1989, Rancho Santa Margarita-based Applied Medical posted a net profit of $5 million last year on sales of $36 million. The privately held company holds 200 patents and pending patents.