Minneapolis (20-May-2010) - Faegre & Benson is pleased to announce that two of the firm's clients, the University of South Dakota and 3M, have products appearing on CNN's list of the top ten health innovations of 2009.  Four members of the Faegre & Benson patent team assisted with intellectual property matters relating to the ground-breaking products.

Scientists at the University of South Dakota (USD) invented a germ-killing molecule that can be added to paint to give it antimicrobial properties, which, in turn, combats the hospital superbugs that kill an estimated 88,000 people each year in the U.S. USD engaged Faegre to file several patent applications relating to their antimicrobial paint with the help of Sean Solberg, Paul Busse, and Kevin Harrison. In addition, they negotiated an exclusive license agreement relating to the technology and are in the process of negotiating further agreements relating to future antimicrobial technologies.

3M engineers invented an electronic stethoscope which, using Bluetooth technology, transfers heart, lung, and other body sounds to a computer for further analysis. Sean Solberg and Paul Koziol were engaged by 3M to provide counsel with respect to various intellectual property matters relating to the stethoscope.

The stethoscope was also named "Invention of the Year" by Popular Science in November 2009.

With prior work experience in research, product development and manufacturing, Faegre & Benson patent attorneys have particular insight into clients' patent needs. Many have experience in the electrical, chemical, biological, mechanical, software and industrial technologies. Others have in-house legal experience at major public companies—adding business acumen and transaction-related knowledge to our practice. Approximately 20 of the firm's lawyers and agents are registered to practice before the USPTO.