Landmark patent reform hangs in the balance as technology industry lobbyists make a last-ditch effort to secure the Senate votes needed for passage of a bill this legislative session.

Dell Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Adobe Systems Inc. flew in executives Oct. 25 to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Their goal: firm flagging support for a bill that passed the House in September by a 220-to-175 vote.