MedTech Clash: Kent Imaging Fights Patent Claim on Wound Care Device

CALGARY, AB – January 19, 2026 – A legal battle is brewing in the advanced wound care market as Canadian medical technology firm Kent Imaging today publicly refuted allegations of patent infringement brought by rival MolecuLight Corp. The dispute, now before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), centers on Kent Imaging's newly launched SnapshotGLO®, a device designed to detect harmful bacteria in wounds.

In a statement, Kent Imaging announced it will “defend itself fully and fiercely” against the complaint, which it deems to be “without merit.” The conflict pits two key innovators against each other and highlights the intense competition and high stakes involved in protecting intellectual property within the rapidly evolving medical device sector.

The Heart of the Dispute: A High-Tech Patent Clash

The formal complaint was filed by MolecuLight with the ITC on December 29, 2025. It alleges that Kent Imaging's SnapshotGLO device infringes on U.S. Patent No. 10,438,356, which protects MolecuLight's proprietary optical design for fluorescence imaging technology. This technology allows both companies' devices to provide real-time visualization of bacterial bioburden in wounds, a critical factor in diagnosing infections and guiding treatment.

MolecuLight, which markets itself as the global leader in this niche, is seeking a powerful remedy from the ITC: an exclusion order that would block the importation and sale of SnapshotGLO in the United States. Such a move would represent a significant setback for Kent Imaging, which only recently received FDA 510(k) clearance for the device in 2025 and is poised for a major market push.

Kent Imaging has come out swinging against the allegations. Pierre Lemire, the company’s CEO, expressed unwavering confidence in their position. "Kent's Snapshot product line, including SnapshotGLO, reflects years of disciplined research, patented innovation, and an unwavering focus on clinician needs," Lemire stated. "We are confident in our intellectual property, resolute in our position, and committed to ensuring clinicians continue to have uninterrupted access to technologies that materially improve patient outcomes."

A Strategic Battleground: The ITC and MedTech Innovation

The choice of the U.S. International Trade Commission as the legal venue is a strategic and increasingly common one in the medical device industry. Unlike federal district courts, the ITC operates on an expedited timeline, with final decisions often reached within 15 to 18 months. Its primary power lies not in awarding monetary damages but in issuing exclusion orders that can halt a product's entry into the lucrative U.S. market.

This makes the ITC a potent tool for patent holders looking to quickly defend their market share from new competitors. Furthermore, a legal provision known as the "safe harbor," which often protects competitors from infringement lawsuits for activities related to seeking FDA approval in district court, does not apply in ITC proceedings. This allows companies like MolecuLight to act swiftly against newly cleared devices that they believe infringe on their patents.

The case, identified as "Certain Medical Imaging Devices, DN 3872," names both Kent Imaging and Adiuvo Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. as respondents. The Commission now has 30 days from the filing date to decide whether to officially institute an investigation.

Two Rivals in a Growing Market

The dispute underscores the competitive landscape for advanced wound diagnostics. MolecuLight has established a strong foothold with its i:X® and DX™ imaging systems, which are supported by over 100 peer-reviewed publications and have secured purchasing agreements with major U.S. healthcare networks. The company has successfully defended its intellectual property before, notably in a 2023 challenge that resulted in the cancellation of a competitor's patent claims.

Kent Imaging, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a formidable innovator. The company's strategy hinges on a complementary, dual-modality approach. Its flagship product, SnapshotNIR®, which has been on the market since 2017, uses near-infrared light to measure tissue oxygenation—a key indicator of healing potential. The new SnapshotGLO, which uses ultraviolet light to make bacteria autofluoresce, is designed to work alongside SnapshotNIR to give clinicians a more complete diagnostic picture.

By offering tools to assess both perfusion and bacterial load, Kent aims to create a unique value proposition for wound care specialists. The legal challenge from MolecuLight directly threatens this expansion strategy at a critical juncture.

Beyond the Courtroom: Implications for Clinicians and Patients

While the legal maneuvering unfolds, the core technology at the center of the dispute represents a significant advancement in patient care. Chronic wounds affect millions of people and are notoriously difficult to manage. The ability to visualize the presence and distribution of harmful bacteria in real-time, without waiting for lab cultures, allows clinicians to make faster, more targeted treatment decisions, potentially improving healing rates and preventing amputations.

A prolonged legal battle or an exclusion order against SnapshotGLO could limit the choices available to hospitals and wound care centers. The case highlights a fundamental tension within the healthcare industry: the need to protect the massive R&D investments required for medical innovation through strong patents, versus the desire for market competition that can drive down costs and broaden access to new technologies.

As the ITC weighs its decision to launch a formal investigation, the medical community will be watching closely. The outcome of this patent clash will not only determine the competitive dynamics between Kent Imaging and MolecuLight but could also have lasting implications for the availability and evolution of critical diagnostic tools used to treat some of the most challenging medical conditions.