Court Awards Covidien $176.5 million in Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson

Covidien announced Friday that a federal judge has awarded the company $176.5 million in its patent infringement lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon Endo-Surgery involving the latter's Harmonic line of ultrasonic surgical products.

The company said that the court felt that Ethicon Endo-Surgery had infringed three of Covidien's patents that are both valid and enforceable. Those patents deal with "ultrasonic cutting and coagulation surgical devices." 

The verdict can be appealed.

"As a global healthcare market leader, Covidien invests significant resources into creating and developing medical innovations. We are pleased that the federal court recognized our innovation in ultrasonic surgical devices, finding our patents both valid and infringed by Ethicon Endo-Surgery. We will continue to vigorously protect our innovative products, solutions and intellectual property,” said Chris Barry, President, Advanced Surgical Technologies, Covidien in a news release.

Covidien filed the lawsuit back in 2010.

"Ethicon firmly stands behind our products and intellectual property which allow us to advance patient care by bringing innovative medical devices to the market," said Bridget Golden, a Ethicon spokeswoman via email. "We are evaluating the court’s decision and our options for appeal."