The German Federal Patent Court has rejected a request from Boston Scientific Corp. that sought to nullify Cook Inc.'s German patent covering its Gianturco Z stent design, Cook officials said Wednesday.

The Cook Z Stent is used in many of Cook's medical devices, including the new Zenith AAA Endovascular Graft used to repair aortic aneurysms.

In its complaint, Boston Scientific claimed Cook's Z stent design was not novel and asked the court to nullify Germany's recognition of Cook's patent on this technology. The court rejected those claims and dismissed the complaint.

Cook has vigorously defended its intellectual property protection covering the Z stent and has pursued patent infringement litigation and other legal action against other companies in the United States and abroad to ensure exclusive access to the medical device technology for Cook and its designated license holders.

"Along with our settlements earlier this year with Guidant, Cordis, SooHoo Medi Tech Ltd. and Life Partners to protect our Z stent design patents, this decision further demonstrates Cook's vigilance in protecting our legal rights for this device around the world," said Pete Yonkman, general counsel, Cook Group Inc.

Medical instrument manufacturer Cook Inc., with international headquarters in Bloomington, was founded in Bloomington in 1963.