Plaintiffs’ Expert Permitted to Testify in Ill. Federal Transvaginal Mesh Device Case

CHICAGO — An Illinois federal judge has denied Ethicon’s motion to bar plaintiffs’ expert Dr. Daniel Elliott in a Gynecare TVT transvaginal mesh case, ruling that he may testify that non-synthetic mesh procedures are a safer alternative for the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

In an Oct. 6 ruling, Judge Amy J. St. Eve of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Illinois ruled that the testimony is needed for the risk-utility analysis and to rebut defendants’ assertion that the TVT is the “gold standard” for treating SUI.

In addition, the judge said Dr. Elliott may …