HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES

Description

G21K covers apparatus and methods for handling particles and ionizing radiation that do not fall within more specialized nuclear physics or engineering classes, including irradiation devices and microscopy systems using gamma rays or X-rays. This subclass encompasses equipment for directing, controlling, and applying particle beams and radiation sources in industrial, medical, and research applications, as well as microscopes that utilize high-energy photons for imaging. Typical technologies include radiation shielding systems, beam transport apparatus, irradiation chambers, and gamma/X-ray microscopy instruments. Excluded from this class are nuclear reactors (G21B), nuclear fuel processing (G21C), and nuclear power plant safety systems (G21D), which are covered by more specific nuclear engineering divisions.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass G21K recorded 13,768 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 1,483 in 2013 to 927 in 2023 (-37%), peaking at 1,598 applications in 2014. The most active applicants in class G21 are CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION (1,383 applications), WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION (1,347 applications) and KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (1,303 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings