Short Summary
The PTAB has instituted an inter partes review of Inari Medical’s hemostasis valve patent after finding Imperative Care’s petition shows a reasonable likelihood of success. The review will cover claims 1‑9 and is based on anticipation and obviousness grounds over Schaffer, Hartley, and Eller references.
Detailed Summary
In a Decision Granting Institution of Inter Partes Review, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board concluded that Imperative Care, Inc. has demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing on at least one claim of Inari Medical’s U.S. Patent No. 11,974,910 (hemostasis valves). The Board instituted the IPR on all nine challenged claims, citing Grounds 1‑5 that rely on 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103, with prior art references Schaffer, Hartley, and Eller. While the patent owner raised claim‑construction disputes over the term “filament” and argued lack of motivation to combine references, the Board found those arguments unpersuasive at the institution stage. The proceeding now moves forward to trial on the asserted unpatentability grounds.
Practitioner Note
This case demonstrates the evidentiary and procedural standards applied in patent matters before local courts. Understanding the court's reasoning in Imperative Care, Inc. vs Inari Medical, Inc. et al. is valuable context for structuring arguments or assessing risk in similar proceedings.
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