Aug 21 2010
The European Patent Office ("EPO") Board of Appeals has issued a formal written decision to uphold European Patent No. EP 1307131 for Verathon Inc.'s GlideScope video laryngoscopes.
The ruling, issued on July 26th, keeps the GlideScope patent in force in several European countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Ireland and Italy. The patent, which does not expire until 2021, also remains valid in several countries outside of Europe.
The GlideScope patent, originally granted in Europe in May 2005, was opposed by Aircraft Medical Limited at the European Patent Office in February 2006. Aircraft Medical, maker of the McGrath video laryngoscope, is based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Verathon® prevailed at a hearing in October 2007, when the EPO's Opposition Division rejected Aircraft Medical's opposition and upheld the GlideScope patent with amended claims.
The EPO's formal written decision in July concludes the Appeal filed by Aircraft Medical against Verathon's patent and the previous decision by the Opposition Division upholding the GlideScope patent.
SOURCE Verathon Inc.