Protective cover for medical spike products
ChangeBridge: EPO Bulletin - Medical Devices (A61M)
Summary
The European Patent Office published patent application EP4271317A1 for Avent, Inc., covering a protective cover for medical spike products. The patent was published March 25, 2026, with five inventors listed. The application carries IPC classifications A61M 5/00, A61M 5/162, and others related to medical devices, with designation across 39 European states including all EU member states, Switzerland, and the UK.
What changed
The EPO published patent application EP4271317A1 for a protective cover for medical spike products assigned to Avent, Inc. The application names five inventors: Brett C. Leard, Ruoya Wang, Gavin H. Mannion, Khoa T. Lien, and Collin Widger. The invention is classified under multiple IPC codes including A61M 5/00 and A61M 5/162, covering medical device protective components. The patent designates 39 states including all EU member states, EFTA states (CH, LI, NO, IS, MC), and the UK.
Manufacturers of medical devices incorporating spike or needle protective covers should review the patent claims to assess potential infringement risks for existing or planned products. IP and R&D teams should evaluate whether alternative designs are needed to avoid the protected technology. Companies operating in EU markets designated by this patent should consult with patent counsel regarding freedom-to-operate analysis.
What to do next
- Review patent claims to assess infringement risk for existing or planned medical device products
- Consult IP counsel for freedom-to-operate analysis in designated territories
- Evaluate whether alternative protective cover designs are needed to avoid the protected technology
Source document (simplified)
PROTECTIVE COVER FOR MEDICAL SPIKE PRODUCTS
Publication EP4271317A1 Kind: A1 Mar 25, 2026
Applicants
Avent, Inc.
Inventors
LEARD, Brett C., WANG, Ruoya, MANNION, Gavin H., LIEN, Khoa T., WIDGER, Collin
IPC Classifications
A61M 5/00 20060101AFI20251115BHEP A61B 17/06 20060101ALN20251115BHEP A61M 5/162 20060101ALN20251115BHEP A61B 90/00 20160101ALN20251115BHEP
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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