METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

Introduced: September 1968

Description

A61L encompasses sterilization and disinfection technologies for medical materials and environments, including physical methods (heat, radiation, filtration) and chemical processes. It covers air treatment systems for medical facilities, as well as the composition and chemical properties of wound care products such as bandages, dressings, and absorbent pads used in surgical applications. This subclass also includes antimicrobial or bioactive materials incorporated into medical textiles and devices, excluding broader medical device design covered by other A61 classes.

Title

Titles differ between systems:

IPC: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES

CPC: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

Full Title

Full titles differ between systems:

IPC:

CPC:

METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

Additional Content IPC

Glossary

antithrombogenic substance, composition or material that prevents or reduces coagulation, clotting, depositing or precipitation of blood, plasma protein or a component of blood (e.g. anticoagulant)

Limiting references

Preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agent employed Shape or structure of prostheses Shape or structure of bandages, dressings or absorbent pads Preparations for medical, dental or toilet purposes Shape or structure of catheters Sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging

Application references

Sterilising food or foodstuffs Preservation of milk, milk preparations or dairy products by sterilisation Devices specifically adapted for cleaning or disinfection shavers or razors Apparatus or methods for destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste using sterilisation into something useful or harmless Pasteurisation, sterilisation, preservation, purification, clarification or ageing of alcoholic beverages Devices for adding disinfecting agents to lavatories Air conditioning systems or room units, including air purification or sterilisation means , Sanitary or hygienic devices for transducer mouthpieces or earpieces

Of 23 combined children, 13 exist in both systems.

8 codes are CPC-only extensions, 2 exist only in IPC.

Note: 8 CPC extensions are marked as secondary classification only.

8 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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A61L 101/00 Chemical composition of materials used in disinfecting, sterilising or deodorising since 2000 −5 IPC IPC only IPC only
A61L 103/00 Materials or objects being the target of disinfection or sterilisation since 2026 −18 IPC IPC only IPC only
A61L 11/00 Methods specially adapted for refuse IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 12/00 Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising contact lenses; Accessories therefor since 2000 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 15/00 Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads (for liquid bandages A61L26/00; radioactive dressings ) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 17/00 Materials for surgical sutures or for ligaturing blood vessels (surgical adhesives A61L24/00; surgical instruments, devices or methods for suturing or ligaturing A61B17/04, A61B17/12; supports or packages for suture materials A61B17/04); +1 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 2/00 Disinfection or sterilisation of materials or objects, in general; Accessories therefor since 1980 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 2101/00 Chemical composition of materials used in disinfecting, sterilising or deodorising 2nd only +2 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 2103/00 Materials or objects being the target of disinfection or sterilisation 2nd only +19 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 2202/00 Aspects relating to methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects 2nd only +1 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 2209/00 Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air 2nd only +2 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 2300/00 Biologically active materials used in bandages, wound dressings, absorbent pads or medical devices 2nd only +5 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 24/00 Surgical adhesives or cements; Adhesives for colostomy devices since 2000 +3 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 2400/00 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties 2nd only +9 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 2420/00 Materials or methods for coatings medical devices 2nd only +4 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 2430/00 Materials or treatment for tissue regeneration 2nd only +19 CPC CPC only CPC only
A61L 26/00 Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages since 2000 +5 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 27/00 Materials for prostheses or for coating prostheses (dental prostheses A61C13/00; shape or structure of prostheses A61F2/00; use of preparations for artificial teeth A61K6/80; artificial kidneys A61M1/14) since 1985 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 28/00 Materials for colostomy devices (adhesives for colostomy devices A61L24/00) since 2000 +6 CPC IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
A61L 29/00 Materials for catheters, or for coating catheters (shape or structure of catheters A61M25/00) since 1985 +1 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