Direct Radiology is disputing the assertions of a patent lawsuit filed by teleradiology services provider Virtual Radiologic (vRad).
Direct Radiology said that the lawsuit, filed by vRad and its NightHawk Radiology Services subsidiary, is "unfounded and represents an attempt to stymie market competition from smaller, more-responsive physician-driven companies."
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, alleges that Direct Radiology infringed on vRad's patent rights by using technology provided by Tandem Radiology, a company created by former NightHawk employees.
Direct Radiology was named as a defendant in the lawsuit because it uses the Tandem software; national radiology provider Imaging Advantage, which also uses the Tandem platform, was also named.
In a prepared statement, Dr. Lawrence Bub, a neuroradiologist and one of three founding principals of Direct Radiololgy, said the lawsuit is "without merit, and we have already begun the process of vigorously disputing the claims. The lawsuit will have no impact on our day-to-day operations or our ability to deliver the levels of service and quality our customers have come to expect."
Founded in January 2012, Direct Radiology is a physician-owned teleradiology practice of 30 radiologists and 20 support staff working in partnership with more than 70 facilities across the U.S.
