Two prominent spine surgeon-inventors recently filed lawsuits against spinal implant manufacturers, alleging that the medtech companies sell products that infringe upon their patents:
1. Mark Barry, MD, a Las Vegas-based pediatric orthopedic and scoliosis surgeon, filed patent infringement cases against Alphatec and SeaSpine in June. Dr. Barry alleges the device companies both sell spinal alignment devices that infringe his patents, and is seeking cash compensation to be determined at a trial.
2. Roger Jackson, MD, filed a patent infringement lawsuit against NuVasive in January. The lawsuit alleges NuVasive is selling spinal screws that infringe up to eight of Dr. Jackson's patents. He is seeking cash compensation and a court order blocking "further unauthorized use" of his inventions.