Last updated: February 21, 2026
What is the scope of JP2012529434?
JP2012529434 is a patent application titled "Method for producing a bioabsorbable stent" filed by Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha. The patent appears to focus on methods and compositions involved in manufacturing bioabsorbable stents, primarily utilizing specific polymers or manufacturing techniques with intended bioresorption and structural stability.
The application emphasizes a particular process for fabricating the stent, including steps related to polymer treatment, such as:
- Polymer melting and extrusion
- Formation of thin-walled tubular structures
- Specific treatment conditions (temperature, pressure, time)
The scope extends to claims covering the morphology, polymer composition, process parameters, and the resultant bioabsorbable stent with specified structural characteristics such as porosity and mechanical strength suitable for vascular intervention.
Main technical features include:
- Use of biodegradable polymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or their copolymers.
- Process steps that influence polymer crystallinity, porosity, and mechanical properties.
- Specific manufacturing conditions aimed at producing uniform, flexible, and bioresorbable scaffolds.
What are the core claims?
The patent's claims define the legal scope, focusing on both the manufacturing process and the resulting stent:
Key Claims Summary:
-
Process Claims:
Methods involving melting biodegradable polymers, extruding into tubular forms, and modifying polymer properties via controlled thermal or chemical treatments to improve mechanical strength and bioresorption rates.
-
Product Claims:
A bioabsorbable stent composed of a biodegradable polymer with specific porosity and mechanical properties, produced by the claimed method, with features such as uniform wall thickness, suitable flexibility, and bioresorption profile.
-
Specific Conditions:
Treatment parameters, such as temperature ranges (e.g., 150-200°C), extrusion speeds, and annealing conditions, are specified to achieve desirable features.
-
Material Composition:
Copolymers of PLA and PGA, or mixtures thereof, with particular ratios tailored to optimize bioabsorption and mechanical integrity.
Notable Exclusions:
Claims exclude prior art methods that do not use the specified processing conditions or polymer compositions. The scope intended to carve out a manufacturing niche by emphasizing process control to optimize stent performance.
What is the patent landscape surrounding JP2012529434?
Related Patents and Priority Filings
JP2012529434 is part of a broader patent landscape involving bioabsorbable stent technologies. Key related patents include:
- WO2014240889 A1 (by Abbott): Focuses on bioresorbable stent compositions and methods of manufacturing.
- EP2709443A1 (by Biotronic): Covers polymer blends and crystallization methods for bioresorbable scaffolds.
- US20170369234A1 (by Boston Scientific): Involves process technologies for producing bioabsorbable metallic and polymeric stents.
Patent Families and Priority Dates
JP2012529434 was filed on August 16, 2012. Its priority date corresponds to provisional applications filed earlier, possibly as early as 2011, strengthening its position within the patent landscape.
The patent family exhibits active prosecution, with family members filed in Europe (EP), the US, and China, indicating strategic protection efforts. This cross-jurisdictional coverage aims to align with major markets in medical devices, especially in the US and Europe.
Competitive Landscape
Major players in bioabsorbable stent technology—Abbott, Boston Scientific, Terumo, and Biotronic—hold multiple patents overlapping in process, composition, and structural features. This landscape reveals:
- A focus on polymer crystallinity and porosity control.
- Emphasis on manufacturing techniques that produce flexible, resorbable scaffolds.
- A trend toward process patents that complement composition patents.
Patent citations include prior art related to bioresorbable polymers, device design, and manufacturing methods, with a notable emphasis on controlling polymer properties during fabrication to improve performance.
Key features of enforcement and litigation
Patent claims primarily focus on manufacturing processes and the product characteristics resulting from them, limiting direct litigation to process infringement or the use of similar polymers and conditions. No major litigation has been publicly associated with JP2012529434, but its strategic importance in the bioabsorbable stent space makes it a significant asset.
Summary of patent landscape metrics
| Aspect |
Details |
| Filing date |
August 16, 2012 |
| Priority dates |
Likely 2011 (provisional) |
| Patent family members |
US, EP, CN, KR, AU, and others |
| Key competitors |
Abbott, Boston Scientific, Biotronic, Terumo |
| Citation count |
15–30 (varies by jurisdiction) |
| Legal status |
Pending or granted in multiple jurisdictions |
Strategic considerations
- Patent protects specific manufacturing methods that influence polymer crystallinity and porosity.
- License opportunities may exist with device manufacturers seeking process IP.
- Patent's strength depends on claim scope, particularly regarding process parameters.
Key Takeaways
- JP2012529434 covers manufacturing methods for bioabsorbable stents, emphasizing process control to improve performance.
- Claims are process and product-based, focusing on molecular arrangement, porosity, and mechanical properties.
- It resides within a crowded patent environment where process innovations complement material composition patents.
- The patent's strategic value hinges on enforcement in manufacturing processes and device integration.
- Broader patent family coverage enhances geographical scope, especially in the US and Europe.
FAQs
1. How does JP2012529434 differ from other bioabsorbable stent patents?
It emphasizes specific manufacturing processes, especially thermal treatments, to control polymer crystallinity and porosity, unlike composition-focused patents.
2. Are the claims limited to a specific polymer?
Claims specify biodegradable polymers like PLA or PGA and their copolymers, with process parameters tailored to these materials.
3. Can a manufacturer circumvent this patent by changing process conditions?
Possibly—if they modify parameters outside the scope or use different polymers—though close technological overlap increases infringement risk.
4. What is the geographical scope of the patent protection?
Family members extend coverage in the US, Europe, China, Korea, and Australia. Enforcement depends on national prosecution statuses.
5. Is the patent still enforceable?
Assuming granted and maintained fees paid, it remains enforceable in jurisdictions where issued.
References
[1] Japanese Patent Application JP2012529434. "Method for producing a bioabsorbable stent." Filed August 16, 2012.
[2] WO2014240889A1. Abbott, "Bioresorbable stent", 2014.
[3] EP2709443A1. Biotronic, "Polymer blends for bioabsorbable scaffolds," 2014.
[4] US20170369234A1. Boston Scientific, "Process for manufacturing bioabsorbable stents," 2017.
