OTHER NEWS - Sept. 2, 1993

Luther Sues Competitor Over Patented Needle: Luther Medical Products Inc. has sued a competitor that it alleges copied the company’s patented “splittable” needle. The needle, which is used with catheter tubes, is designed to protect health care workers from accidental needle pricks. Luther, based in Tustin, has sued Vygon Corp. of Rutherford, N.J.; its parent company, Vygon GmbH & Co. of Aachen, Germany; and Caremed Inc. of San Jose, Calif., one seller of the Vygon needles. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco. In April, 1992, Luther settled a patent infringement suit over the same needle. Luther’s stock, traded on he NASDAQ market, closed Wednesday at $4 a share, down 12 1/2 cents.