Systems and Methods for Coupling and Decoupling a Catheter
ChangeBridge: EPO Bulletin - Medical Devices (A61M)
Summary
The European Patent Office published patent EP4135817A1 for Merit Medical Systems, Inc., covering systems and methods for coupling and decoupling catheters. The invention (IPC A61M classifications) provides intellectual property protection for catheter connection mechanisms. The patent is designated for all European Patent Convention member states including DE, FR, GB, IT, ES, NL, BE, and 27 others.
What changed
The EPO published patent application EP4135817A1 for Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (March 25, 2026), covering catheter coupling and decoupling systems and methods. Invented by Nicholas Accisano III, the patent relates to A61M medical device classifications for catheter connections. Designated states include all EPC contracting states across Europe.
Patent publication notices do not create compliance obligations for third parties. Competitors developing similar catheter coupling technology should review the patent claims to assess potential freedom-to-operate implications. Companies manufacturing or procuring catheter systems may reference this IP when evaluating Merit Medical's product portfolio.
What to do next
- Review patent claims to assess freedom-to-operate for competing catheter products
- Update IP portfolio monitoring to track this patent grant
- Consult patent counsel if potential infringement concerns arise
Source document (simplified)
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COUPLING AND DECOUPLING A CATHETER
Publication EP4135817A1 Kind: A1 Mar 25, 2026
Applicants
MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
Inventors
ACCISANO III, Nicholas
IPC Classifications
A61M 25/00 20060101AFI20260218BHEP A61M 27/00 20060101ALI20260218BHEP A61M 39/10 20060101ALI20260218BHEP A61F 2/04 20130101ALI20260218BHEP A61F 2/95 20130101ALI20260218BHEP
Designated States
AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR
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