Medtronic Settles With L.A. Surgeon

Today, L.A. surgeon Dr. Gary K. Michelson and medical device company Medtronic, Inc. settled on $1.35 billion to be paid to Dr. Michelson and his licensing company, Karlin Technologies, for violating his patents for products to treat spinal injuries.  Last year, a federal jury awarded Michelson and his company more than $500 million in punitive and compensatory damages and 10 percent of sales on the products with infringed patents, which could total over $1 billion in the next 20 years.

"Dr. Michelson's primary goal has always been to help patients," said Kirkland & Ellis attorney Marc Cohen.  "This leading edge technology that was the subject of this deal is now in the hands of a company that will be able to use it to help patients."

This article appeared in its entirety in the April 22, 2005 edition of the Los Angeles Times.