3M wins patent, sues for infringement

3M Co. sues Andover Healthcare Inc. for allegedly infringing on patents related to the company’s two-layer compression bandage systems.

3M Co. (NYSE:MMM) is suing Salisbury, Mass.-based Andover Healthcare Inc. for patent infringement.

The company alleges that Andover’s two-layer compression bandage systems, including its CoFlex TLC and the CoFlex TLC Lite, infringe upon patents that cover 3M’s Coban 2 Layer and Coban 2 Layer Lite systems. The St. Paul, Minn.-based company won the patent, titled “Compression Bandage System,” and filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Minnesota on the same day, according to court documents.

3M is seeking injunctions for the bandages in question and damages against Andover Healthcare, the companysaid in prepared remarks.

The bandages from both companies are indicated for treatment of venous leg ulcers. 3M launched its Coban system in 2006 and introduced the 2 Layer Lite bandages in early 2010, according to the company. Andover introduced its firstCoFlex products in 1989, according to itswebsite.

3M filed a trademark infringement suit against Andover in April over packaging for the same product line, according to court documents. The suit didn’t go anywhere, however, and 3M withdrew it in June before Andover could respond to the allegations.

An email to Andover Healthcare was not immediately returned.