GE Gets Patent on Medical Data ‘Bedside Machine’ Canceled (1)

General Electric Co. successfully argued that a “bedside machine” that displays medical information was patent-ineligible, the Federal Circuit ruled Feb. 26.

The invention was directed to the abstract idea of using a computer to gather, analyze, and display data, the court said.

The University of Florida Research Foundation owned U.S. Patent No. 7,062,251, covering a system for integrating medical data from bedside machines. The technology converts data streams into an independent format and displays them on a graphic interface. GE argued that the technology was directed to an abstract idea and ineligible for patent protection.

The U.S. District Court for ...