MANSFIELD, Mass., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyco Healthcare Retail Group, Inc. announced today that the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has instituted a patent infringement investigation of the Mexican companies Absormex S.A. de C.V. and Grupo ABS Internacional S.A. de C.V. and their affiliate Absormex USA, Inc. Tyco Healthcare asserts that three of its patents are infringed by Absormex's manufacture of disposable diapers and other absorbent garments in Mexico that are imported and sold in the United States.

Tyco Healthcare sought redress before the ITC because of the speed in which a remedy may be obtained and because of the ITC's ability to prevent the importation of infringing goods into the United States. Tyco Healthcare also has filed a separate lawsuit in United States District Court, Central District of California, seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief for Absormex's alleged infringing conduct.

Tyco Healthcare is the world's third largest absorbent garment producer and has manufacturing facilities in King of Prussia, Pa.; Macon and Marietta, Ga.; Greenwood, S.C.; Waco, Texas; and Tijuana, Mexico. All of Tyco Healthcare's absorbent garment products are designed, developed and tested in the United States.

Tyco Healthcare, a business segment of Tyco International, Ltd (NYSE: TYC), is a leading manufacturer, distributor and servicer of medical products worldwide. Its portfolio includes disposable medical supplies, monitoring equipment, medical instruments and bulk analgesic pharmaceuticals and chemicals.