COURT RULES THAT SYNTHES INFRINGES RIVAL'S PATENTS

Smith & Nephew said the Federal District Court for the Western District of Tennessee ruled in a decision received by the company that the Synthes' Trochanteric Fixation Nail and Proximal Femoral Nail products infringe patents owned by Smith & Nephew.

The court also upheld the validity of the patents (U.S. Patent numbers: U.S. 5,167,663 and U.S. 5,312,406). The nails are placed inside the bone to aid in the healing of bone fractures.

Synthes said it would consider appealing the ruling, adding it would not withdraw the two products.