A Medical Device Daily

Pall (East Hills, New York) has filed a patent infringement action against Entegris (Chaska, Minnesota), alleging that the Entegris Impact filter cartridge line infringes four Pall patents: U.S Patent Nos. 5,543,047, 5,690,765, 6,113,784, and 7,195,122. The suit seeks compensatory damages and a permanent injunction precluding Entegris from selling the infringing products. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

A separate action filed by Pall in 2005, involving different Entegris products, also is ongoing. Pall said it believes that certain Entegris Quickchange and Waferguard products infringe on two other Pall patents (Medical Device Daily, Dec. 20, 2005).

"Our patents are core assets. They represent countless hours of work by our scientists and engineers and millions of dollars of corporate resources. We vigorously protect our intellectual property rights," said Steve Chisolm, president of Pall Microelectronics.

At issue in the new suit are two Pall technology platforms: the Ultipleat laid-over pleat filter pack and the EZD low hold-up volume filter capsule.

Pall's Ultipleat filter line is in broad use in a variety of markets and applications, according to the company. The laid-over pleat design that defines the Ultipleat filter line is intended to allow more filter material to be packed into a smaller envelope. This simultaneously enhances performance while lowering processing costs. This innovative technology is a two-time winner of the prestigious Vaaler Award which recognizes leading innovations in the chemical processing industry.

Pall says its EZD capsule line offers several advantages, including minimizing process fluid loss, calling it a key benefit, particularly in photolithography applications where chemicals can cost as much as $3,000 a liter.