A case that could have big implications for patent law and the medical profession has reached the country's top court. MPR reports that lawyers for the Mayo Clinic on Wednesday morning will argue that a rival's blood-test patent goes too far. They say the patent also tries to cover the test's results. Prometheus sued Mayo for patent infringement after the clinic created its own blood test.

In their lawsuit the Justice Department and four whistleblowers claim Mayo billed the federal government for thousands of lab tests that were never done. The suit contends Mayo routinely billed Medicare and Medicaid for two sets of pathology tests, even though only one was conducted.

The Mayo Clinic is among medical centers testing a device for patients whose high blood pressure does not respond to drugs. Medtronic's device uses a groundbreaking treatment to disrupt nerve signals that elevate blood pressure. But to qualify for the trial, patients must meet strict requirements that are challenging clinics and frustrating rejected patients.

Rochester-based Mayo Clinic and Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services have signed a tentative agreement to transfer control of Red Wing Medical Center. Mayo Clinic Health System hopes to assume operations by July 1. The deal follows months of discussion.

Labor officials say Mayo discriminated against an employee who made legally protected complaints about safety issues. The Post-Bulletin says James Seehusen shared concerns with supervisors about a vehicle's safety as well as the company's failure to conduct regular inspections. Supervisors later suspended Seehusen, a move they say was unrelated to his complaints, but the judge said Mayo failed to prove that.

Researchers working with mice have identified biological red flags that show who's more prone to developing the brain disease. The Minnesota Alzheimer's Association is hopeful but cautions "People aren't mice."