Gary Karlin Michelson's patents cost patients money, deter innovation but feed the ego

A writer who specializes in spinal products wrote an article in Orthopedic Network News about Gary Michelson's $1.3 billion settlement in 2005. An interesting take on the issue. The only person helped by the settlement is Gary Michelson and Medtronic. Patients are paying extra. Because of his patents, other people may be blocked who happened to be developing similar things. In essence this gives Gary Michelson and Medtronic a monopoly on the market. It also will deter others from inventing something new for fear a court may decide it's slightly similar to Gary's design or description. Gary obviously did not invent these things to help patients.

http://spine.orthopedicnetworknews.com/archives/onn164s5.pdf

"However, an alternative view of the $1.3 billion award may be

that it is an “investment” from Medtronic’s point of view. They

may simply see this as a business investment—if Michelson’s

patents become enforceable, they can use them to block other

entrants into the spinal market or secure royalty payments. For

example, since Michelson (now Medtronic) owns a patent for

the preparation of the intervertebral space for a interbody fusion

device, it is possible Medtronic will use this patent against any

company that has an interbody fusion device or even artificial

disc, and either extract a royalty from them, or prevent them

from bringing new products to the market. In either case, the net

result may be higher prices to hospitals and less “innovative”

companies." It appears that as part of the settlement Gary Michelson asked for stickers to be put on all products made with his patents to "secure his legacy." That is truly conceited. Who needs their name on nuts and bolts used in spinal surgery?

In order

to secure his legacy among spine surgeons, hospital administrators,

patients, and plaintiff attorneys, Medtronic now places

stickers on all the implants in which Dr. Michelson has patent

ownership. These are designed similar to those of the produce

industry which pioneered the use of the “P-Seals.” These are

self-adhesive stickers that one finds at the supermarket attached

to vegetables and fruits in the

produce section. Medtronic

Sofamor Danek now “proudly

displays” the Michelson logo

“Michelson technology at

work” on the sides of boxes

which use any of Michelson’s

patents. Based on what I've read people in the spine industry and doctors don't like Dr. Gary Michelson. His main goal is to sue people for infringement. I personally feel Gary Michelson has a lot of inner hate. He states his father called him an "idiot" and "stupid." He said his dad divorced his mom when he was 11. He states his mother didn't give him as much attention as his older brothers which is why he did poorly in school. He states she only gave his older brothers affection because she basically had nothing better to do making it sound like she hated kids. He states he failed in school but his teachers passed him just to get rid of him. I was told he was a psychology major in under grad. This would explain a lot. Again, I'm posting what I read in other articles and online Google books. These things were said by Gary Michelson or written by others. I believe I've posted direct links.