A Medical Device Daily

Retractable Technologies (Little Elm, Texas), a maker of safety needle devices, reported that a Marshall, Texas, jury returned a verdict finding that all three patents asserted by Retractable Technologies against Becton Dickinson (BD; Franklin Lakes, New Jersey) are valid and infringed. The jury also awarded damages to the company in the amount of $5 million.

The verdict, which can be appealed by either party, is directed against BD's infringing Integra syringes.

Retractable manufactures and markets safety medical products, principally VanishPoint automated retraction safety syringes and blood collection devices, that virtually eliminate healthcare worker exposure to accidental needlestick injuries. These devices use a patented friction ring mechanism that causes the contaminated needle to retract automatically, a feature that is designed to prevent both accidental needlestick injury and device reuse. Retractable also manufactures and markets Patient Safe syringes that are designed to reduce the risk of bloodstream infections resulting from catheter hub contamination.