Applied Science v. Uneklo USA: Blood Donation Patent Dismissed With Prejudice
Applied Science, Inc. asserted US11426498B2 — covering systems and methods for managing blood donations — against Uneklo USA, Inc. in Delaware. The parties filed a stipulated dismissal with prejudice after 260 days, closing the case with finality on May 16, 2025.
Blood donation management patent suit ends in stipulated dismissal
Applied Science, Inc. filed suit against Uneklo USA, Inc. in the District of Delaware on August 29, 2024, asserting infringement of US11426498B2, a patent covering systems and methods for managing blood donations. The case was assigned to Judge Gregory B. Williams. Shaw Keller LLP represented the plaintiff; McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC appeared for the defendant.
The parties filed a Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice on May 15, 2025, which Judge Williams so-ordered on May 16, 2025, terminating the civil case. A dismissal with prejudice is a final adjudication on the merits as a matter of law — Applied Science is permanently barred from reasserting these same claims against Uneklo USA in any future action arising from the same conduct.
At 260 days, the resolution is consistent with an early negotiated outcome — whether settlement or licence — before the case reached claim construction or summary judgment. The precise commercial terms, if any, are not disclosed in the public record. The joint stipulation, rather than a unilateral voluntary dismissal, suggests both parties agreed to the resolution and that any underlying dispute has been commercially resolved.
Filing to Dismissed with Prejudice in 260 days
260 days from filing to stipulated dismissal — typical for early negotiated resolution in D. Del.
Stipulated dismissal with prejudice: what the ruling means for both parties
Dismissal with prejudice is final — no second bite at this apple
A stipulated dismissal with prejudice, so-ordered by the court under Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(ii), is a permanent resolution. It carries the legal effect of a judgment on the merits. Applied Science cannot refile claims against Uneklo USA based on the same alleged infringing conduct. The joint nature of the stipulation distinguishes this from a unilateral walk-away.
Rule 41(a) — permanent barApplied Science agreed to close the door — likely received consideration
Plaintiffs rarely accept dismissal with prejudice without receiving something in return — typically a licence, royalty arrangement, or financial settlement. The fact that Applied Science’s counsel filed the stipulation suggests the resolution was commercially acceptable. However, the public record is silent on specific terms, and no inference of a monetary award should be drawn from court filings alone.
Likely settled or licensedUneklo USA permanently free from this claim — but patent survives
The dismissal with prejudice protects Uneklo USA from any re-assertion of the same claims by Applied Science. However, US11426498B2 remains in force. If Uneklo USA’s blood donation management activities continue or expand, any new or distinct conduct could theoretically form the basis of a fresh infringement allegation — though that would require Applied Science to identify different conduct or claim scope.
Claim-specific protection onlyUS11426498B2 remains enforceable — sector risk persists
This dismissal does not invalidate or narrow US11426498B2. The patent covering systems and methods for managing blood donations retains full enforceability. Competitors and vendors operating in blood donation management software and logistics should treat the patent as an active threat. The case’s rapid resolution without inter partes review or invalidity ruling may signal Applied Science is actively managing its licensing programme.
Patent still in forceFull party and counsel information
| Role | Name | Type | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Applied Science, Inc. | Company | Blood donation management technology company — holder of US11426498B2Search in Eureka ↗ |
| Defendant | Uneklo USA, Inc. | Company | Uneklo USA, Inc. — U.S.-based entity accused of infringing blood donation management systems patentSearch in Eureka ↗ |
| Plaintiff counsel | Karen E. Keller | Attorney | Counsel for Applied Science, Inc.Search in Eureka ↗ |
| Plaintiff law firm | Shaw Keller LLP | Law Firm | Representing Applied Science, Inc.Search in Eureka ↗ |
| Defendant counsel | Thomas A. Uebler | Attorney | Counsel for Uneklo USA, Inc.Search in Eureka ↗ |
| Defendant law firm | McCollom D’Emilio Smith Uebler LLC | Law Firm | Representing Uneklo USA, Inc.Search in Eureka ↗ |
| Presiding judge | Judge Gregory B. Williams | Judge | Delaware District CourtSearch in Eureka ↗ |
Official order — verbatim text
The stipulation filed by plaintiff’s counsel and so-ordered by Judge Williams constitutes a final, court-endorsed termination of the action. The ‘with prejudice’ designation is legally significant: it extinguishes Applied Science’s right to bring the same claims against Uneklo USA again. The joint nature of the filing — rather than a motion by one party — is consistent with a negotiated resolution, though no settlement terms are disclosed in the docket.
US11426498B2 — Systems and methods for managing blood donations
US11426498B2 protects systems and methods for managing blood donations — a technology domain spanning donor scheduling, eligibility screening, inventory tracking, and transfusion logistics. The underlying application, filed under application number US14/727745, reflects development work predating the grant date. The patent’s issued claims define the enforceable scope and would have been the subject of any claim construction proceeding had the case progressed.
Blood donation management technology sits at the intersection of healthcare IT, regulatory compliance, and supply chain software — a sector increasingly driven by digitisation and real-time data integration. US11426498B2 represents a potentially broad claim footprint in this domain. The fact that Applied Science filed suit in Delaware — a preferred venue for patent enforcement — and reached a with-prejudice resolution without validity challenge suggests confidence in the patent’s strength.
Should you run an FTO against US11426498B2?
Any organisation developing, deploying, or commercialising software platforms for blood donation scheduling, donor eligibility management, or blood bank inventory systems should treat US11426498B2 as a relevant clearance risk. Applied Science’s willingness to litigate in Delaware and achieve a dismissal with prejudice — consistent with licensing — suggests active enforcement intent. A freedom-to-operate analysis is advisable before product launch or next funding round.
PatSnap Eureka’s FTO Search Agent allows R&D and IP teams to map US11426498B2’s claim scope against their specific product architecture, identify relevant prior art, and flag design-around opportunities. With no IPR history on record and the patent fully intact, proactive clearance now is materially cheaper than reactive defence after an assertion. Eureka can surface the patent’s citation network and related family members to give your team a complete picture.
Run a freedom-to-operate analysis on US11426498B2 to assess your product’s exposure
Run FTO in Eureka →Similar patent infringement cases: healthcare IT and blood management systems
Cases involving healthcare management system patents litigated in Delaware District Court, including blood donation, medical workflow, and health IT infringement actions.
What this case signals for the blood donation management IP landscape
A swift dismissal with prejudice in Delaware suggests commercial resolution — and a still-active patent that could target others in the sector.
Dismissal with prejudice signals a likely licence or settlement payment
Plaintiffs do not typically agree to close infringement claims with prejudice without receiving consideration. For in-house teams monitoring Applied Science’s enforcement posture, this outcome suggests the company is actively licensing US11426498B2 rather than seeking court-ordered injunctions — a pattern that warrants proactive FTO analysis.
US11426498B2 survives unchallenged — validity was never tested
The case resolved before claim construction, summary judgment, or any IPR petition. The patent’s claims were never adjudicated on validity or scope. For blood donation management technology vendors, this means the patent enters the next enforcement cycle with no weakening litigation history attached.
Applied v Uneklo — key questions answered
The court-ordered stipulated dismissal with prejudice permanently bars Applied Science from refiling infringement claims against Uneklo USA based on the same conduct. It carries the legal effect of a final judgment on the merits. The joint stipulation was filed May 15, 2025 and so-ordered by Judge Williams on May 16, 2025.
Applied Science asserted US11426498B2, a patent covering systems and methods for managing blood donations. The underlying application number is US14/727745. The case was filed in the District of Delaware on August 29, 2024.
The public record does not confirm a settlement payment or licence. However, the joint stipulation of dismissal with prejudice — where the plaintiff agrees to close its own claims permanently — is commercially consistent with a negotiated resolution. Specific terms, if any, are not disclosed on the docket.
Based on the available case record, no IPR petition was filed in connection with this litigation, and the patent’s validity was not adjudicated. US11426498B2 exits this case fully intact and enforceable. Competitors in the blood donation management space should note the patent remains an active enforcement risk.
Delaware’s District Court is a preferred venue for patent enforcement due to its experienced judiciary, well-developed patent case law, and predictable scheduling. Filing in Delaware is a common strategic choice for patent holders asserting infringement against corporate entities, regardless of where the alleged infringement occurred.
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