Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. v. Medtronic, Inc.

ORDER

On August 11, 1999, the Court heard argument on plaintiff Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.’s (“ACS”) motions for summary judgment of infringement and for summary judgment that the Yock patents are not invalid and are not unenforceable. Edward A. Mas appeared on behalf of ACS; Earnest Reveal appeared for defendant Medtronic, Inc. Having considered the arguments of counsel, the papers submitted, the applicable law, and the record in this case, the Court hereby GRANTS the motions.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Factual Background

ACS and Medtronic are companies engaged in developing, manufacturing, promoting, and selling medical devices, including catheters used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (“PTCA”). These parties and others are currently involved in a complex series of patent infringement suits involving the treatment of heart disease with catheters.

Coronary artery disease is a disease of the heart in which a deposit, called a “sten-osis,” builds up in a coronary artery and restricts blood flow through the artery. Reduced blood flow can result in chest pain or heart attack. Coronary artery disease can be treated in one of two typical ways. In the first, a…