Retractable Technologies patent victory
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Little Elm, Texas, firm is awarded damages of $5 million in patent infringement suit against Becton Dickinson, the firm announces Nov. 10. BD's Integra syringes infringe three valid patents held by Retractable Technologies, the Eastern District of Texas jury found. Retractable's VanishPoint automated retraction safety syringes and blood collection devices feature a patented friction ring mechanism that causes contaminated needles to retract automatically to prevent accidental needle stick injuries and device reuse. In 2004, BD settled with a $100 million pay-out charges that it had conspired with group purchasing organizations and other manufacturers to prevent VanishPoint sales (1"The Gray Sheet" July 5, 2004)