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DIFF Subclass Not Allocatable
A61N

ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

Introduced: September 1968

Description

A61N encompasses therapeutic devices and methods employing electrical currents, magnetic fields, ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, and ultrasonic waves to treat medical conditions. This subclass covers electrodes and applicators for electrotherapy, diathermy equipment, neuromuscular stimulators, magnetic therapy apparatus, radiotherapy equipment including linear accelerators, and ultrasound therapy devices. The classification includes both the technical apparatus and the therapeutic techniques themselves, spanning applications from pain management and muscle rehabilitation to cancer treatment and diagnostic imaging-based interventions. Related veterinary applications and combined therapeutic modalities are also included within this broad subclass structure.

Title

Titles differ between systems:

IPC: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY

CPC: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

Full Title

Full titles differ between systems:

IPC:

ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY

CPC:

ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B)

Additional Content IPC

Glossary

Electrotherapy utilises electrical energy directly applied to either an external surface or inside portion of a human or animal body to effect a cure or alleviation of an abnormal condition (e.g. symptoms of a disease, defective functioning of an organ) of the body. Magnetotherapy utilises magnetic force fields directly applied to either an external surface or inside portion of a human or animal body to effect a cure or alleviation of an abnormal condition (e.g., symptoms of a disease, defective functioning of an organ) of the body. Radiation therapy utilises radiant type energy in the form of waves or particles (e.g. radiation emitted by radioactivity, gamma rays, microwaves, x-rays) directly applied to either an external surface or inside portion of a human or animal body to effect a cure or alleviation of an abnormal condition (e.g. symptoms of a disease, defective functioning of an organ) of the body. Therapy therapies any medical treatment of an abnormal condition of a human or animal body (e.g., disease, impaired organ, injured limb) by means, instruments, devices, or methods that utilise forms of energy (e.g. ultrasonic energy) and which is not used for surgical purposes. Therapy appropriate for this subclass when it occurs at the cellular level is performed within the limits of healthy cell life and it is (a) intended to destroy, control, or advance the recovery of sick or abnormal cells within the body tissue of human beings or animals and (b) minimises undesirable destruction of healthy cells adjoining the sick or abnormal cells that are treated. In general, the treatment time for therapy is long-term relative to that for surgery which usually has a much more immediate effect on the body. Ultrasound therapy utilises acoustic vibrations at a very high frequency that are above the range audible to the human ear (i.e. acoustic frequency above approximately 20,000 cycles per second) directly applied to either an external surface or inside portion of a human or animal body to effect a cure or alleviation of an abnormal condition (e.g. symptoms of a disease, defective functioning of an organ) of the body.

Limiting references

Apparatus for diagnosis or surgery combined with, or applicable also as, therapy apparatus Apparatus for radiation diagnosis Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (e.g., radiation surgery, electro-surgery) Instruments, implements, tools, or methods specially adapted so as to limit their use to only animals Apparatus or methods utilising direct mechanical energy in therapy intended to treat disease or disability Percussion or vibration massage apparatus (e.g. using supersonic vibration) Apparatus or methods for stimulating specific reflex points by heating or cooling within the cell-life limits Devices for applying radioactive material to the body

IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 4 subcodes exist in both systems.

3 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

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

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

Top Applicants (CPC)

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

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