Stryker (NYSE:SYK) Sues Zimmer Over (NYSE:ZMH) Patent Infringement

Stryker Corp. (NYSE:SYK) has sued rival Zimmer Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ZMH) over patent infringement over a device used to clears damaged tissue during joint surgery, as well as cleaning bones during the same process.

The targeted product in question is Zimmer’s Pulsavac Plus system, which Stryker claims infringes on three of their patents in the U.S.

Stryker is seeking a court order for them to stop Zimmer from using the system and to be compensated with cash.

Patents alleged to be infringed upon are for the use of pulsing liquid to loosen up debris during a surgery and allow it to be removed via suction. Doctors are able to see the are they're working on clearer as a result.

The unit of Stryker selling the InterPulse and SurgiLav systems generated revenue of $2.6 billion in 2009, 39 percent of overall revenue.

The unit using Zimmer’s Pulsavac Plus generated revenue of $2.77.6 million last year, or 6.8 percent of the annual revenue of the company.