Guidant Wins Ruling on Medtronic Patent Suit

Guidant Corp. won a ruling that upholds a patent related to implantable pacemakers and defibrillators, a victory in its bid for royalties from Medtronic Inc., a rival medical device maker.

U.S. District Judge Sue Robinson in Wilmington, Del., upheld the validity of the patent.

Medtronic filed suit in August 2003 to have the patent invalidated. It also didn’t want to pay royalties to Guidant on its InSync III implantable pacemakers and InSync III Marquis and InSync Marquis pacemakers with defibrillators.

“We are disappointed with the judge’s ruling and we are considering whether we are going to appeal,” Medtronic spokeswoman Valerie Lind said.