3B Medical will fight lawsuit

SAN DIEGO - 3B Medical/BMC Medical, a manufacturer of sleep diagnostics and therapy devices, says it will fight a lawsuit filed by ResMed for alleged patent infringement, according to a press release. ResMed claims 3B Medical infringed on three patents involving the elbow swivel of a nasal pillow mask and the water flow-back valve of a humidifier. 3B disputes the allegations, claiming the lawsuit is just a ploy for reducing competition. “In 3B/BMC's estimation the lawsuit is intended to do little more than erect huge hurdles to market entry by forcing crippling litigation costs,” stated Alex Lucio, vice president. 3B Medical says it will defend any intellectual property challenges in court, according to the release. ResMed has also sued Drive Medical to stop alleged patent infringement. In light of the lawsuit, Drive has suspended the sale and marketing of several of its CPAP masks.