Cayenne Medical Files Patent Infringement Suit Against MedShape

Two venture-backed companies could soon square off in court, as Cayenne Medical Inc. has filed a patent-infringement lawsuit against MedShape Inc.

Cayenne claims MedShape’s ExoShape Femoral Soft Tissue Fastener system, which attaches soft tissue to bone in orthopedic procedures, infringes on Cayenne’s patented AperFix system, which does the same thing, a statement from Cayenne read.

MedShape, which makes orthopedic devices using “shape memory” technology, is backed by In-Q-tel and GE Capital Healthcare Financial Services, Dow Jones VentureWire records show.

Cayenne, which specializes in knee-ligament reconstruction and mensical-repair products, has been funded by MB Venture Partners, NXT Capital, Silicon Valley Bank, Split Rock Partners, Investor Growth Capital, Fletcher Spaght Ventures and Biomed Ventures, according to VentureWire records.

“Cayenne has invested significant resources since our inception in building a valuable intellectual property portfolio. We have a responsibility to patients, surgeons, and our team members and shareholders to safeguard our investments made in bringing innovative medical devices to the healthcare community. We will use all reasonable measures to ensure that violators, such as MedShape, stop the infringement of our patented inventions,” Cayenne President/CEO David Springer said in a statement.

Cayenne filed its suit in U.S. District Court in Arizona, a statement from the company said.

MedShape has not commented on the lawsuit.