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UPC CFI 480/2025

May 29, 2025·EP4185356 +1 more: NASAL CANNULA

Case details
Status
Oral Phase
Action
Revocation
Category
Main Revocation Action
Parties
Claimants
Reps: Thorsten Haslinde (WBH Wachenhausen Patentanwälte PartG mbB); Marc Wachenhausen (WBH Wachenhausen Patentanwälte PartG mbB); Vladimir Traykov (WBH Wachenhausen Patentanwälte PartG mbB); Arno Riße (Arnold Ruess); Felix Beck (Arnold Ruess)
Respondents
Reps: Matthew Naylor (Mewburn Ellis LLP); Isobel Stone (Mewburn Ellis LLP)
Division
Milan CD
Judges
Technology
Medical Devices · Respiratory Devices · Pharmaceutical & Medical
Language
English
First decided
Jan 15, 2026
Last decision
Apr 10, 2026
Claims
At issueclaim 1 (as granted), claims 1-13 (as granted), AR1 claim 1, AR2-AR13 claim 1
Revokedclaim 1 (as granted), all dependent claims (as granted)
Notes: Claim 1 as granted and AR1 claim 1 lack novelty over D2. AR2-AR13 not allowable due to lack of clarity under Art. 84 EPC. All dependent claims revoked as defendant did not separately defend their novelty over D2. No auxiliary request was found allowable; the patent is revoked in its entirety.
Decisions
  • 2026-04-10
    Revoked

    The Central Division Milan revoked European Patent EP 4 185 356 in its entirety with effect on all UPC Contracting Member States, finding that claim 1 as granted and auxiliary request 1 lack novelty over prior art document D2 (WO 2015/193833 A2). Auxiliary requests 2 to 13 were found not allowable due to lack of clarity under Art. 84 EPC, and the application to amend the patent was dismissed.

    Legal issues:Novelty (Art. 54 EPC) — claim 1 and AR1 lack novelty over prior art D2 (WO 2015/193833 A2)Claim interpretation — meaning of 'manifold', 'connector', 'swivel connection', 'selective retainer means'Admissibility and allowability of auxiliary requestsClarity (Art. 84 EPC) — AR2-AR13 lack clarity regarding whether gas tube is a mandatory componentAdded matter (Art. 123(2) EPC) — raised but left open as clarity/novelty dispositiveMapping of prior art components to claim features when different labels are used in prior art
  • 2026-01-15
    Revocation Action

    The Milan Central Division (full panel: Postiglione, Klein, Roselinger) rejected Fisher & Paykel's request to introduce auxiliary requests 2A to 13A as subsequent amendments to the patent (EP 4 185 356) in the revocation proceedings. The Court held that under R. 50.2 and R. 30.2 RoP, subsequent amendments are only allowed on an exceptional basis; the preclusive nature of the front-loaded system means that amendments must be made in full at the earliest stage. The efficiency of proceedings is not a sufficient reason to allow subsequent piecemeal amendments.

    Legal issues:Subsequent amendments to patent (R. 50.2, R. 30.2 RoP)Front-loaded system and preclusive nature of pleadingsAdmissibility of auxiliary requests
  • 2026-01-15
    Revocation Action

    Duplicate/version of the above order (same date and case) from the Milan Central Division rejecting Fisher & Paykel's request to introduce subsequent auxiliary requests 2A–13A for patent EP 4 185 356 in the revocation action brought by Fisher & Paykel against Flexicare. The reasoning and outcome are identical to the companion order.

    Legal issues:Subsequent amendments to patent (R. 50.2, R. 30.2 RoP)Admissibility of auxiliary requests
Documents
Document titleDatePublic
Receipt2026-04-30Not public
Cover sheet2026-04-30Not public
Application document Applicant2026-04-30Not public
action.phaseChange.caseClose2026-04-10Not public
action.issueDecision.decision2026-04-10Not public
Decision2026-04-10Public
action.communication.general2026-04-09Not public
Hearing recording reference document2026-02-27Not public
Receipt2026-02-24Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-24Not public
Application document Claimant2026-02-24Not public
action.phaseChange.oralPhaseOpen2026-02-24Not public
action.phaseChange.interimPhaseClose2026-02-24Not public
Receipt2026-02-20Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-20Not public
Exhibit Defendant2026-02-20Not public
Document Defendant2026-02-20Not public
action.communication.general2026-02-20Not public
Receipt2026-02-20Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-20Not public
Document Claimant2026-02-20Not public
Submission Claimant2026-02-20Not public
Receipt2026-02-12Not public
Cover sheet2026-02-12Not public
Submission Claimant2026-02-12Not public
action.issueOrder.order2026-02-02Not public
Order2026-02-02Not public
action.issueOrder.order2026-01-15Not public
Order2026-01-15Public
action.issueOrder.order2025-12-23Not public
Order2025-12-23Not public
Note2025-12-19Not public
action.phaseChange.interimPhaseOpen2025-12-18Not public
action.phaseChange.writtenPhaseClose2025-12-18Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-12-12Not public
Order2025-12-12Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-28Not public
Statement of rejoinder2025-11-28Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-11-28Not public
Receipt2025-11-28Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-27Not public
Other document Claimant2025-11-27Not public
Receipt2025-11-27Not public
Cover sheet2025-11-26Not public
Other document Defendant2025-11-26Not public
Receipt2025-11-26Not public
action.summons.interimHearing2025-11-12Not public
Summons2025-11-12Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-11-12Not public
Order2025-11-12Public
Cover sheet2025-11-09Not public
Further pleadings2025-11-09Not public
Receipt2025-11-09Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-11-04Not public
Order2025-11-04Not public
action.summons.oralHearing2025-11-04Not public
Summons2025-11-04Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-31Not public
Application document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Receipt2025-10-31Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-31Not public
Statement of rejoinder2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Exhibit document Defendant2025-10-31Not public
Receipt2025-10-31Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-10-09Not public
Order2025-10-09Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-06Not public
Statement of reply2025-10-06Not public
Application to Amend Patent Defence2025-10-06Not public
Exhibit2025-10-06Not public
Receipt2025-10-06Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-02Not public
Other document2025-10-02Not public
Receipt2025-10-02Not public
action.issueOrder.order2025-10-02Not public
Order2025-10-02Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-01Not public
Exhibit2025-10-01Not public
Other document2025-10-01Not public
Exhibit2025-10-01Not public
Receipt2025-10-01Not public
Cover sheet2025-10-01Not public
Other document2025-10-01Not public
Other document2025-10-01Not public
Other document2025-10-01Not public
Other document2025-10-01Not public
Receipt2025-10-01Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-08-04Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-08-04Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-08-04Not public
Exhibit ME D356-08 - Auxiliary request 82025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-04mu - Auxiliary request 4 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-11mu - Auxiliary request 11 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-06 - Auxiliary request 62025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-12 - Auxiliary request 122025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-12mu - Auxiliary request 12 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-07 - Auxiliary request 72025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-01mu - Auxiliary request 1 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-07mu - Auxiliary request 7 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-08mu - Auxiliary request 8 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-01 - Auxiliary request 12025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-09 - Auxiliary request 92025-08-01Not public
Application to amend EP 3562025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-05 - Auxiliary request 52025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-10 - Auxiliary request 102025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-04 - Auxiliary request 42025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-03 - Auxiliary request 32025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-13 - Auxiliary request 132025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-03mu - Auxiliary request 3 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-06mu - Auxiliary request 6 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-11 - Auxiliary request 112025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-09mu - Auxiliary request 9 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-02 - Auxiliary request 22025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-13mu - Auxiliary request 13 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-10mu - Auxiliary request 10 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-02mu - Auxiliary request 2 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-05mu - Auxiliary request 5 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-12mu - Auxiliary request 12 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-09mu - Auxiliary request 9 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-06mu - Auxiliary request 6 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-05mu - Auxiliary request 5 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-10mu - Auxiliary request 10 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-13 - Auxiliary request 132025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-07 - Auxiliary request 72025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-11mu - Auxiliary request 11 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-08 - Auxiliary request 82025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-06 - Auxiliary request 62025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-09 - Auxiliary request 92025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-04mu - Auxiliary request 4 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-07mu - Auxiliary request 7 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-01 - Auxiliary request 12025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-12 - Auxiliary request 122025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-02 - Auxiliary request 22025-08-01Not public
Defence to the statement for revocation of EP'3562025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-03 - Auxiliary request 32025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-10 - Auxiliary request 102025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-08mu - Auxiliary request 8 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-05 - Auxiliary request 52025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-04 - Auxiliary request 42025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-11 - Auxiliary request 112025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-01mu - Auxiliary request 1 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-02mu - Auxiliary request 2 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-03mu - Auxiliary request 3 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Exhibit ME D356-13mu - Auxiliary request 13 - marked up2025-08-01Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-07-10Not public
Document from EPO2025-06-05Not public
Acknowledgement of access to case2025-06-03Not public
Notification Of Service2025-06-03Not public
Panel-Appointment2025-06-03Not public
EPO-Request-for-case-pending2025-06-03Not public
Acknowledgement-of-lodging2025-06-03Not public
Formal-checks_Notification-of-positive-outcome2025-06-03Not public
Annex RA 42025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D32025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D82025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D72025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D52025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D132025-05-29Not public
Revocation Action2025-05-29Not public
Annex RA 22025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D42025-05-29Not public
Annex RA 32025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D22025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D112025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D62025-05-29Not public
Annex RA 52025-05-29Not public
Annex RA 12025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D52025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D12025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D102025-05-29Not public
Annex RA UP2025-05-29Not public
Annex RA 02025-05-29Not public
Annex RA 62025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D122025-05-29Not public
Prior art document D92025-05-29Not public
Accepted arguments
What the court agreed with — by party.

  • Frame portion 102 in D2 constitutes a 'manifold' in the sense of claim 1, and component 114 (labelled 'manifold' in D2) constitutes a 'connector', such that all features of claim 1 as granted are directly and unambiguously disclosed by D2

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC; novelty assessment based on overall disclosure of prior art document

  • AR2-AR13 lack clarity because the newly added feature referring to 'the aperture fluidically connects the gas tube to the manifold' leaves the skilled person in doubt whether the gas tube is a mandatory component of the nasal cannula

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 84 EPC; Rule 50.2 RoP

  • Swivel connection is not limited to single-axis rotation; both single-axis and multi-axis rotational arrangements fall within claim 1

    ClaimantLegal basis: Art. 69 EPC; Protocol on Interpretation of Art. 69 EPC

  • Gas tube is not a mandatory component of the nasal cannula as claimed in claim 1 as granted

    ClaimantLegal basis: Claim interpretation under Art. 69 EPC
Rejected arguments
What the court did not agree with — and why.

  • Component 114 (labelled 'manifold' in D2) must be mapped to the 'manifold' of claim 1, and the frame portion 102 cannot constitute the manifold because it does not direct gas from the inlet at the connector-manifold connection to the nasal prong outlets

    RespondentLegal basis: Claim interpretation under Art. 69 EPC

  • 'Swivel connection' in claim 1 is limited to rotation about a single axis of rotation

    RespondentLegal basis: Claim interpretation under Art. 69 EPC

  • The nasal cannula requires that the gas supply tube not be disconnected during use (continuous airflow requirement)

    RespondentLegal basis: Claim interpretation under Art. 69 EPC

  • AR1 is not novel over D2 only if component 114 is mapped as the 'manifold'; under the defendant's preferred mapping AR1 is novel

    RespondentLegal basis: Art. 54 EPC

  • AR1 was inadequately substantiated and therefore inadmissible

    ClaimantLegal basis: Rule 50.2 RoP