A61N ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
Introduced: September 1968
Last revised: January 1995
Classification Context
- Section:
- HUMAN NECESSITIES
- Class:
- MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- Subclass:
- ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
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.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass A61N recorded 197,020 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 12,218 in 2013 to 18,252 in 2023 (+49%), peaking at 23,085 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class A61 are PHILIPS ELECTRONICS (18,523 applications), NOVARTIS (14,253 applications) and COVIDIEN (13,953 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
A61N ranks 10th of 13 subclasses with filings in A61, with 197,020 applications between 2013 and 2023, 2.9% of the class. Annual filings grew 49% from 2013 to 2023, above the class as a whole (+32%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A61K, Preparations for Medical, Dental or Toiletry Purposes | Preparations for Medical, Dental or Toiletry Purposes | 1,792,627 | 26.5% |
| 2 | A61B, Diagnosis; Surgery; Identification | Diagnosis; Surgery; Identification | 1,204,106 | 17.8% |
| 3 | A61P, Specific Therapeutic Activity of Chemical Compounds or Medicinal Preparations | Specific Therapeutic Activity of Chemical Compounds or Medicinal Preparations | 1,178,026 | 17.4% |
| 4 | A61M, Devices for Introducing Media Into, or Onto, the Body; Devices for Transducing Body Media or for Taking Media From the Body; Devices for Producing or Ending Sleep or Stupor | Devices for Introducing Media Into, or Onto, the Body; Devices for Transducing Body Media or for Taking Media From the Body; Devices for Producing or Ending Sleep or Stupor | 625,206 | 9.2% |
| 5 | A61F, Filters Implantable Into Blood Vessels; Prostheses; Devices Providing Patency To, or Preventing Collapsing Of, Tubular Structures of the Body, e.g. Stents; Orthopaedic, Nursing or Contraceptive Devices; Fomentation; Treatment or Protection of Eyes or Ears; Bandages, Dressings or Absorbent Pads; First-Aid Kits | Filters Implantable Into Blood Vessels; Prostheses; Devices Providing Patency To, or Preventing Collapsing Of, Tubular Structures of the Body, e.g. Stents; Orthopaedic, Nursing or Contraceptive Devices; Fomentation; Treatment or Protection of Eyes or Ears; Bandages, Dressings or Absorbent Pads; First-Aid Kits | 447,357 | 6.6% |
| 6 | A61L, 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 | 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 | 373,304 | 5.5% |
| 7 | A61H, Physical Therapy Apparatus, e.g. Devices for Locating or Stimulating Reflex Points in the Body; Artificial Respiration; Massage; Bathing Devices for Special Therapeutic or Hygienic Purposes or Specific Parts of the Body | Physical Therapy Apparatus, e.g. Devices for Locating or Stimulating Reflex Points in the Body; Artificial Respiration; Massage; Bathing Devices for Special Therapeutic or Hygienic Purposes or Specific Parts of the Body | 247,277 | 3.7% |
| 8 | A61Q, Specific Use of Cosmetics or Similar Toiletry Preparations | Specific Use of Cosmetics or Similar Toiletry Preparations | 221,780 | 3.3% |
| 9 | A61G, Transport, Personal Conveyances or Accommodation Specially Adapted for Patients or Disabled Persons; Operating Tables or Chairs; Chairs for Dentistry; Funeral Devices | Transport, Personal Conveyances or Accommodation Specially Adapted for Patients or Disabled Persons; Operating Tables or Chairs; Chairs for Dentistry; Funeral Devices | 221,545 | 3.3% |
| 10 | A61N | Electrotherapy; Magnetotherapy; Radiation Therapy; Ultrasound Therapy | 197,020 | 2.9% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
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
Related Keywords
4 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor 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