Asahi Kasei’s Zoll Sues Philips’ Respironics Over Patent

Asahi Kasei Corp. (3407)’s Zoll unit sued Royal Philips Electronics (PHIA)’ Respironics Inc. alleging infringement of a U.S. patent with equipment used to monitor patients being treated for sleep-disordered breathing.

Zoll, based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, contends Respironics is wrongly using protected technology for data collection, covered by a 2004 patent, in its Philips EncoreAnywhere respirator, according to a complaint filed yesterday in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware.

“Respironics does not have a license or permission to use the patent,” and “Zoll will continue to suffer additional irreparable injury” if a judge doesn’t stop the infringement, plaintiff’s lawyers said in court papers.

The patent covers a system of data-collection and management for medical devices worn by patients, with electronic readings transmitted over the Internet to a doctor’s office or other location.

A spokeswoman for Murrysville, Pennsylvania-based Respironics, Maryellen Bizzack, didn’t immediately return voice and e-mailed messages seeking comment on the lawsuit.

The case is Zoll v. Respironics, 12-cv-1778, U.S. District Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).

To see the patent, click: 6,681,003.

To contact the reporter on this story: Phil Milford in Wilmington, Delaware, at pmilford@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Hytha at mhytha@bloomberg.net