medi® announced today that on March 13, 2017, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California issued its patent claim construction order in the litigation against Julius Zorn, Inc. ("Juzo").

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May 01, 2017, 14:00 ET

WHITSETT, N.C., May 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- medi is the owner of U.S. Patent No. 7,329,232 (the '232 Patent), which is entitled "Limb Encircling Therapeutic Compression Device." medi believes that the '232 Patent is a foundational patent in the area of compression garments and represents an important advancement in compression garment technology. The core of this technology is utilized across medi's circaid® family of products consisting of the circaid® juxtalite, juxtacures, juxtafit and reduction kit and is instrumental in the therapeutic success of these products.

Juzo was notified in November 2015 that their new line of compression wraps infringes on the '232 patent. After several attempts at negotiations, medi was left with no choice but to defend its intel- lectual property from unlicensed use. On February 12, 2016, medi filed patent infringement claims against Juzo.

In the federal court lawsuit, medi alleges that Juzo's so-called "Juzo Compression Wrap" compression garments infringe on the '232 Patent. medi seeks both a permanent injunction barring continued infringement and an award of money damages to compensate it for the harm inflicted by that in- fringement. If granted, the injunction sought by medi would prevent any companies operating in the United States from selling the accused compression garments.

On March 13, 2017, the federal court issued its claim construction order interpreting the scope of the '232 patent. The Order confirms medi's understanding of the patent coverage. In his opinion, Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel construed several terms and rejected arguments that the claims were invalid for indefiniteness.

medi Vice President Dean Bender stated, "medi is gratified that the court construed the claims to give them their full scope, and upheld the claims against invalidity arguments. It is our hope that the ruling has the potential to motivate possible resolution in the form of a reasonable licensing agreement. Absent such, we will confidently continue to work towards trial."

medi has made substantial investments over many years in research and development that have resulted in a robust intellectual property portfolio, including the '232 Patent. medi's circaid products have received wide praise and acceptance in the lymphedema and wound care marketplaces for their ease of use, effectiveness and elegance.

About medi

medi is committed to helping people all around the world live more independent, productive and satisfying lives while managing their circulatory, lymphatic and ambulatory issues. medi takes its position as a global leader in medical compression seriously by investing in research, education and innovation, providing the latest technologies which enable our patients to not only manage their challenges, but to enjoy life to its fullest.

SOURCE medi USA