CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE

Introduced: September 1968

Description

A61J covers specialized containers and delivery devices for pharmaceutical and medical applications, including packaging designed to protect, preserve, or facilitate the administration of medicines and medicinal products. This subclass encompasses devices for oral drug delivery (such as dosing cups, syringes for liquid medicines, and pill organizers), equipment for formulating pharmaceuticals into specific physical forms (tablets, capsules, powders), and related medical accessories like baby pacifiers and spittoons. The classification applies to both the structural design of containers that meet pharmaceutical safety and stability requirements and the functional mechanisms enabling controlled or convenient medicine administration to patients.

Additional Content IPC

Glossary

Medicine, Medication Chemical or biological substance intended to be used for the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, alleviation, or prevention of diseases, disorders, injuries, or any other abnormal physical or mental state in humans. Pharmaceutical product pharmaceutical products Man made or natural medicines specially adapted by manufactures or pharmacies into forms that facilitate their internal or external usage by humans. Patient patients Human being awaiting or undergoing any form of (a) medical care (e.g., testing) or treatment by medical staff (e.g., doctors, dentists, midwives, chiropractors) or (b) physical tending (e.g., feeding) by care providers (e.g., hospice or nursing home staff) due to impairment. Disabled person disabled persons A human being that is unable to do a certain basic physical task (e.g., walking) without assistance due to a physical or mental impairment/condition.

Limiting references

Infusion devices Syringe ampoules or cartridges Time release microcapsules for introduction of media into body and other devices for introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body Time release medication patches for application to human bodies Tubes, tube connectors, valves or tube couplings specially adapted for medical use

Of 11 combined children, 9 exist in both systems.

2 codes are CPC-only extensions.

Note: 2 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

5 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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A61J 1/00 Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes (capsules or the like for oral use A61J3/07; specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments A61B50/30; containers for radioactive substances G21F5/00) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 11/00 Teats +7 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 13/00 Breast-nipple shields (breast-pumps A61M1/06) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 15/00 Feeding-tubes for therapeutic purposes +4 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 17/00 Baby-comforters; Teething rings +2 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 19/00 Devices for receiving spittle, e.g. spittoons (for dentists A61C17/14) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 2200/00 General characteristics or adaptations 2nd only +7 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61J 2205/00 General identification or selection means 2nd only +7 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61J 3/00 Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms +3 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 7/00 Devices for administering medicines orally, e.g. spoons (calibrated capacity measures for fluids or fluent solid material G01F19/00; weighing spoons G01G19/56); Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine +5 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61J 9/00 Feeding-bottles in general +5 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class A61,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NL 18,523
NOVARTIS CH 14,253
COVIDIEN US 13,953
ROCHE CH 12,005
CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 11,955
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA US 11,692
HARVARD UNIVERSITY US 11,596
L'OREAL FR 11,593
P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 11,297
OLYMPUS CORPORATION JP 9,594

Top Applicants (CPC)

Class A61,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NL 20,621
NOVARTIS CH 15,792
ROCHE CH 14,303
COVIDIEN US 13,862
HARVARD UNIVERSITY US 13,454
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA US 12,798
P&G (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY) US 12,140
L'OREAL FR 11,800
OLYMPUS CORPORATION JP 9,894
BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED US 9,513