Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Prevails in Artery-Clearing Catheter Patent Challenges

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed two decisions from the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) in favor of firm client Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., finding all claims of two patents held by Shockwave Medical, Inc. unpatentable. The patents related to the use of shockwaves to break up calcified deposits within arteries, a technology that Shockwave maintained was groundbreaking. The PTAB disagreed, finding all claims unpatentable as obvious, and the Federal Circuit affirmed. The team of Jeff Stone, Mark Nelson, Juanita DeLoach and David Kelly litigated the appeals, with Mark arguing before the Federal Circuit. Jeff, Mark, Juanita and Steven Shipe litigated the proceedings before the PTAB.