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ProDisc-L (photo ©2009 Synthes)

Zurich, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Zurich-based Synthes, a medical device company best known as a manufacturer of plates, screws and bolts used in treating trauma injuries such as broken bones, has won a key decision in a district court lawsuit in the US against US-based Medtronic, which has a regional head office in Tolochenaz, Vaud.

The patent protection case began in 2007, over Synthes’s ProDisc-L artificial disc replacement device. The company has claimed that Medtronic infringed its copyright with its Maverick disc replacement products. The court awarded Synthes $21 million total in damages, plus the right to have its legal fees covered because of what it called “willful infringement” of the patent.

Medtronic, which has not issued a statement on the case, plans to appeal, according to a press release issued by Synthes.