CPC Definition - Subclass A61J
This place covers:
Apparatus, devices, or methods specially adapted for changing or fashioning bulk medicines, or their essential constituents, into pharmaceutical products having specific physical forms designed to either:
facilitate their accurate dispensing to, or proper usage by, humans (e.g., tablets of specified dosage),
enhance their desirability so as to improve their likelihood of being consumed or used (e.g., candy coated tablets, impregnated food, lubricated suppositories),
improve their ability to, or make them physically able to, be consumed or used (e.g., encapsulated fish oil, ointments), or
increase their effectiveness.
Apparatus, devices, or methods specially adapted for administering medications or pharmaceutical products to humans through their oral cavity.
Receptacles that are not designed to be ingestible and are specially adapted for holding or containing medicines or pharmaceutical products prior to their usage or consumption by humans.
Receptacles specially adapted to hold, contain, or transport pharmaceutical, surgical, or therapy related materials other than medicines or pharmaceutical products (e.g., containers for storing blood).
Hollow flexible conduits specially adapted, or solely intended, for the purpose of providing nutriments in fluid or fluent forms to humans by insertion of the conduits into an orifice of their bodies (e.g., enteral feeding using functioning gastrointestinal tract).
Containers specially adapted for holding water or nutriments in fluid or fluent forms (e.g., feeding bottles) that is withdrawn by the sucking of infants, young children, or other humans (e.g., patients, disabled persons) on orally engaged portions or subcomponents of the containers.
The orally engaged subcomponents per se of the containers of the preceding paragraph (e.g., compressible rubber teats for feeding bottles) which are specially adapted for infants, young children, or other humans to suck upon to withdraw water or nutriments in fluid or fluent forms from the containers.
Other types of apparatus or devices specially adapted for orally administering only nutriments in fluid or fluent forms to infants, patients or disabled persons.
Devices that are not designed to be ingestible and are specially adapted, or solely intended, for either:
soothing, calming, or relaxing infants or young children by relieving a physical craving (e.g., oral pacifier) or
allowing infants or young children to relieve minor irritations or inflammations themselves though usage of the devices (e.g., teething devices for gum irritation).
Devices or receptacle specially adapted, or solely intended, for receiving spittle, phlegm, or other forms of naturally occurring oral discharge from humans.
Devices specially adapted to prevent irritation of the teat portion of the mammary gland of humans from abrasive or rubbing contact.
Specially adapted subcomponents or steps for the above types of apparatus, containers, devices or methods of the preceding paragraphs that are not provided for in another subclass.
Auxiliary appliances or accessories specially adapted for use with the apparatus, containers, or devices of the preceding paragraphs to facilitate either:
the proper dispensation or usage of medications or pharmaceutical products (e.g., medication reminders, pill counters) or
the taking of food orally by humans.
When used with animals
If an apparatus, device, or method is usable for both humans and animals for the same purpose and in the same manner, and it is otherwise proper for this subclass, classification is made only in subclass A61J 1/00 - A61J 19/00.
Similar apparatus, devices, or methods to those covered by subclass A61J 1/00 - A61J 19/00 that are usable exclusively for animals, or are used in animals in a different manner or for different purposes than for humans, are classified in subclass A61D 1/00 - A61D 99/00.
Baby comforters, food, and toys
Devices that may be interesting to a baby (e.g., they have a specific shape such as an animal that the baby may manipulate) and are intended to serve to relieve a physical craving, irritation, or inflammation of the baby are covered by subclasses A61J 9/00, A61J 11/00 and A61J 17/00.
Devices that are primarily intended to be played with by a baby to entertain it, but might also incidentally emotionally calm it (e.g., stuffed bear at bedtime), are covered by subclass A63H 1/00 - A61H 37/00.
This place does not cover:
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 |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Foods, foodstuffs, or their preparation or treatment | |
Drinking vessels used for table service | |
Spoon type tableware | |
Protective casings or covers for appliances or instruments | |
Medical preparations characterized by special physical form | |
Suppositories | |
Capsules and medicinal compositions | |
Devices for introducing media into or on the body | |
Droppers or containers for laboratory use | |
Containers for storage or transport of articles or materials in general or their accessories, closures, or fittings | |
Containers specially constructed to be opened by cutting or piercing, or by tearing of frangible member or portion | |
Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for | |
Dropper type dispensers for closing containers | |
Closures for containers with means for discouraging their opening or removal without authorization or required level of physical aptitude | |
Blister packages | |
Applying closure members to bottles, jars, or similar containers |
The following Indexing Codes can be used throughout A61J 1/00 - A61J 19/00. They should be added where relevant or appropriate:
General characteristics or adaptations | |
General identification or selection means |
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Disabled person | 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. |
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. |
Patient | 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. |
Pharmaceutical product | Man made or natural medicines specially adapted by manufactures or pharmacies into forms that facilitate their internal or external usage by humans. |
In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:
- "teat" and "nipple" for the orally engaged portion of feeding bottles.
- "feeding bottle", "nursing bottle", and "baby bottle"
- "spittoon", and "cuspidor"
This place covers:
Receptacles that are not designed to be ingestible and are specially adapted for holding or containing medicines or pharmaceutical products prior to their usage or consumption by humans.
Receptacles specially adapted to hold, contain, or transport pharmaceutical, surgical, or therapy related materials other than medicines or pharmaceutical products (e.g., containers for storing blood).
A61J 1/00 refers nearly exclusively to medicament containers.
This place does not cover:
Capsules or the like for oral use | |
Specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments | |
Containers for radioactive substances |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Containers for organs or living tissue | |
Sterilizing means | |
Antithrombogenic treatment of articles for conditioning blood | |
Laboratory equipment | |
Large containers for cell culture |
This place does not cover:
Containers for pills or tablets with special dispensing means therefor |
Documents belonging in this subgroup should always be considered for further classification in B65D 1/00 - B65D 85/00.
Distribution means for pills or tablets should be classified in A61J 7/0076.
Containers comprising passive means for indicating the time of administration of the medicament should be additionally classified in A61J 7/04.
Containers comprising active or electronic means for indicating the time of administration of the medicament should be additionally classified in A61J 7/0409.
This place covers:
Containers enclosing pharmaceuticals to be taken orally between two opposed sheets or blanks which are joined, wherein one of both sheets or blanks comprise recessed compartments to accommodate said pharmaceuticals, and wherein the pharmaceutical is released by pressing it through the backing sheet or blank.
Examples of blister type containers:
DE202009015049U
DE202009012194U
Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:
Blisters for inhalers | |
Multilayered films |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Blisters in general | |
Dispensing from blisters |
Documents in A61J 1/00 - A61J 1/22 disclosing blister type containers should be given at least Indexing Code A61J 1/035.
In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:
- "push-through-pack" and "PTP" for blister type containers
This place does not cover:
Multiple bags systems for separating or storing blood components | |
Multilayered films |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Syringe ampoules or carpules |
This place covers:
Carpules, i.e. ampoules for containing a (unit dose of a) pharmaceutical fluid comprising a plunger or piston for expelling its contents.
Examples of carpules:
EP2281542
US2004004086
Documents in A61J 1/00 - A61J 19/00 disclosing carpules should be given at least Indexing Code A61J 1/062.
This place covers:
Ampoules, i.e. sealed, small rigid or glass containers containing a (unit dose of a) pharmaceutical fluid for hypodermic injection.
Examples of rigid ampoules:
EP1918214
EP2301510
This place does not cover:
Breaking devices for ampoules |
Documents in A61J 1/00 - A61J 19/00 disclosing rigid ampoules should be given at least Indexing Code A61J 1/065
This place covers:
Sealed, small flexible containers containing a (unit dose of a) pharmaceutical fluid which is to be expelled by squeezing.
Examples of flexible ampoules:
DE102006009611
DE20217814U
Documents in A61J 1/00 - A61J 19/00 disclosing flexible ampoules should be given at least Indexing Code A61J 1/067.
This place covers:
Examples of bag type containers:
EP1803552
US2009234317
Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:
Blow moulding | |
Multilayered or laminated material | |
Plastic composition |
Documents in A61J 1/00 - A61J 19/00 disclosing bag type containers should be given at least Indexing Code A61J 1/10.
This place does not cover:
Devices for administering medicines orally; Pill counting devices; Arrangements for time indication or reminder for taking medicine | |
Openers |
Devices related to administration of medicines are classified in A61J 7/00.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Coatings of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances | |
Labels used for hanging the container |
This place covers:
Constructional or functional details of septum or membranes or access sites of containers comprising a pharmaceutical fluid that is required to be punctured for gaining access to the fluid-containing portion of the container.
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:
Pierceable plug
Closures for bottles, e.g. plugs or stoppers, and their details are classified in B65D 51/00.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Closures to be pierced |
Documents belonging to this subgroup should always be considered for further classification in B65D 51/00.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Closure members for containers in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Devices aiding filling of syringes in situ |
This place does not cover:
Hanging-up devices for infusion devices, e.g. for blood infusion |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Holders for containers |
This place covers:
Constructional or functional details of access sites of containers which provide access to or from the fluid containing portion of a container.
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:
Inlet or outlet ports of bag type containers
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Tube connectors |
This place covers:
Overwrappings, covers or holding devices for protective, decorative, supportive or other purposes which do not form an integral part of a container.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Holders or stands for containers at bedside | |
Infusion devices: Hanging up devices | |
Supporting bases, stands for equipment | |
Supports for filling bag type containers |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Frames constraining or supporting bags during freezing | |
Containers with thermal insulation in general | |
Cryogenic storage | |
Ice boxes in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses | |
Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport |
This place covers:
This subgroup contains arrangements or devices intended for transferring or mixing medicinal or pharmaceutical fluids like:
- Containers comprising multiple compartments
- Connectors for creating two-way fluid paths between (different types of) containers such as vials, ampoules, bags or syringes.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Industrial filling of ampoules, vials, syringes | |
Containers in general with provisions for mixing contents |
Details and accessories of the arrangements of A61J 1/20 and its subgroups are also classified in the following groups at least as additional information.
Filtering means | |
Piercing means | |
Separating means | |
Connecting means | |
Venting means |
Complex devices should be classified in the subgroup A61J 1/20.
Documents disclosing container types not mentioned in the definitions of A61J 1/2089, A61J 1/2093 and A61J 1/2096 should additionally be given a respective index code for the container type.
This place covers:
Connectors or adaptors which enable or assist fluid communication between two or more containers for mixing or dissolving medicines in preparation of an administration.
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:
Containers or vials which are to be joined to each other in order to mix their contents.
This place does not cover:
Combinations of vial and syringe for mixing their contents |
This place covers:
Containers having multiple internal compartments separated by removable separations, the compartments containing pharmaceutical fluids which require mixing before administration.
Examples of containers having several compartments for products to be mixed::
WO2007016615
WO0236065
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Method for producing frangible seal between chambers |
This place covers:
Connectors or adaptors which enable or assist fluid communication between a vial and a syringe for extracting, mixing and/or dissolving medicines in preparation of an administration.
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:
Combination of a vial and a syringe for transferring or mixing their contents.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Tube connectors |
This place covers:
Arrangements for transferring or mixing fluids provided with means for metering the amount of fluid in containers for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Devices as foreseen in this subclass and provided with specific means for sensing or indicating the fluid level in general | |
Measuring volume or volume flow in general |
This place covers:
Apparatus, devices, or methods specially adapted for changing or fashioning bulk medicines, or their essential constituents, into pharmaceutical products having specific physical forms designed to either:
facilitate their accurate dispensing to, or proper usage by, humans (e.g., tablets of specified dosage),
enhance their desirability so as to improve their likelihood of being consumed or used (e.g., candy coated tablets, impregnated food, lubricated suppositories),
improve their ability to, or make them physically able to, be consumed or used (e.g., encapsulated fish oil, ointments), or
increase their effectiveness.
This place does not cover:
Chemical aspects of medicinal compositions |
This place covers:
Compounding apparatus by which a plurality of medicinal or nutritive components are dosed and transferred through tubes in a bag. Compounding should take place in situ.
This place does not cover:
Bottling liquids | |
Compounding which does not take place in situ, or industrial compounding |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Mixers | |
Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing |
This place covers:
Apparatus or devices for applying a coated layer to pharmaceutical tablets.
This place does not cover:
(Pharmaceutical compositions of) Coated pills or tablets |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Coating of sweetmeats or confectionery | |
Coating of granules in general |
This place covers:
Constructional or functional details of markings or labels of pharmaceutical tablets or capsules.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
General identification or selection means | |
Tablet presses | |
Apparatus for printing on tablets or the like | |
Labels, RFID tags in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Microcapsules | |
Preparation of capsules | |
Capsules for inhalers | A61M 15/00, B65D/00 |
Packaging pills or tablets |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Preparation or treatment of foods or foodstuffs | |
Tablets characterized by shape, structure or size | |
Tablet presses |
This place covers:
Apparatus, devices, or methods specially adapted for administering medications or pharmaceutical products to humans though their oral cavity.
Auxiliary appliances or accessories specially adapted for use with the apparatus, containers, or devices of the preceding paragraphs to facilitate either:
the proper dispensation or usage of medications or pharmaceutical products (e.g., medication reminders, pill counters) or
the taking of food orally by humans.
This place does not cover:
Calibrated capacity measures for fluids or fluent solid material | |
Weighing spoons |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Sweetmeats, confectionary | |
Drinking straws |
Means for oral administration should always be classified in A61J 7/0015 - A61J 7/0061.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Household spoons | |
Measuring spoons |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Drinking straws |
This place does not cover:
Display trays | |
Serving trays |
This place covers:
Devices or containers for the distribution of a single type of medicine which is to be administered based on a personalised prescription.
This place does not cover:
Medicine cabinets |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Distribution means comprising pill counting devices | |
Distribution means having time indication means for indicating medicine administration time | |
Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents | |
"Active" dispensing means, e.g. dispensing by pressing a button |
"Active" dispensing means, e.g. dispensing by pressing a button, should additionally be classified in B65D 83/0409.
Distribution means having "non-active" dispensing means should additionally be classified in A61J 1/03.
Distribution means dispensing directly into the mouth should additionally be classified in A61J 7/0015 or A61J 7/0015.
Distribution means having time indication means for indicating medicine administration time should be classified in A61J 7/04.
Distribution means comprising pill counting devices should additionally be classified in A61J 7/02.
This place covers:
Devices or containers for the distribution of multiple types or a combination of medicines which are to be administered based on a personalised prescription.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans (e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance) relating to drugs or medications (e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients) |
Distribution means for multiple medicaments having an emphasis on the packaging aspect should additionally be classified in B65G 1/1373 or B65B 5/103.
Distribution means for multiple medicaments having an emphasis on the mechanical aspect should additionally be classified in G07F 11/00.
Distribution means for multiple medicaments having an emphasis on the data processing aspect should additionally be classified in G06Q 10/08 .
This place does not cover:
Medicament applicator for teeth or gums |
This place covers:
Devices or containers comprising passive or mechanical means for time indication or reminder for taking medicine..
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Containers having indication of dates or follow-numbers | |
ICT specially adapted for therapies or health-improving plans (e.g. for handling prescriptions, for steering therapy or for monitoring patient compliance) relating to drugs or medications (e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients) |
Details and accessories of the arrangements of A61J 7/04 and its subgroups are classified in the following Indexing Codes and their subgroups:
With electronic history memory | |
With direct interaction with a dispensing or delivery system | |
Resulting from removing a drug from, or opening a container | |
By preventing drug dispensing during a predetermined time period | |
For multiple drugs | |
For multiple patients |
Devices to be used in combination with blister packs should be given at least A61J 1/035.
Devices used for checking compliance should also be classified in A61J 2200/30.
This place covers:
Devices or containers comprising active means for alerting a patient when the medicine should be taken.
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Timer | Clock or electronic device indicating daily, remaining or elapsed time. |
This place covers:
Containers specially adapted for holding water or nutriments in fluid or fluent forms (e.g., feeding bottles) that is withdrawn by the sucking of infants, young children, or other humans (e.g., patients, disabled persons) on orally engaged portions or subcomponents of the containers.
This place does not cover:
Heating apparatus for feeding bottles | H01B 1/00, H01B6/00 |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Drinking cups |
This place covers:
Thermo-isolated bottles using vacuum or other isolation means.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Vacuum bottles in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Thermometers in general |
Details of holders for bottles are classified in the following Indexing Codes and their subgroups:
Having aesthetic properties, e.g. toy-like or imitating a female breast | |
Providing isolation | |
Facilitating gripping | |
Having a particular supporting function | |
Characterised by the type of support |
This place covers:
Protective covers which cover only the bottle itself.
This place does not cover:
Protecting caps for the teat |
This place covers:
Lids which close only the bottle itself, for example, when the teat is removed to prevent spilling or leakage.
For example:
AU2009200949
US2006076309
This place does not cover:
Protecting caps for the teat |
Lids which stay attached or can be attached to the bottle after taken off and which also protect the teat are classified in A61J 11/008.
For example:
US2009134112
This place covers:
The orally engaged subcomponents per se of feeding bottles (e.g., compressible rubber teats for feeding bottles) which are specially adapted for infants, young children, or other humans to suck upon to withdraw water or nutriments in fluid or fluent forms from the containers.
This place covers:
Teats which have the possibility of connecting an object, e.g. syringe, tube or straw.
For example:
US2006100603
US2008223807
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Devices for administering medicines orally |
This place covers:
Teats having particular means for controlling the flow rate, which are different from a particular size or shape of the opening, or valves.
This place covers:
Teats where the flow rate is controlled by the size, shape, orientation or deformation properties of the openings of the nipple.
For example:
FR1397427
This place covers:
Teats where the flow rate is controlled by the use of valves located in or on the teat.
For example:
US5553726
DE20002990U
This place covers:
Teats where specific details for resembling a natural teat of a mother are described, either to mimic its appearance or its behaviour during feeding.
This place covers:
Caps for protecting the teat.
For example:
FR2921827
WO2009008643
This place covers:
Components or elements which are associated with the teat which assist in opening the separation means that prevents the bottle from being used correctly.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Containers having several compartments for products to be mixed |
Containers having several compartments for products to be mixed should additionally be classified in A61J 1/2093.
This place does not cover:
Venting means which form part of the bottle |
This place covers:
Devices specially adapted to prevent irritation of the teat portion of the mammary gland of humans from abrasive or rubbing contact.
This place does not cover:
Breast pumps |
This place covers:
Hollow flexible conduits specially adapted, or solely intended, for the purpose of providing nutriments in fluid or fluent forms to humans by insertion of the conduits into an orifice of their bodies (e.g., enteral feeding using functioning gastrointestinal tract).
For example:
EP2067465
This place does not cover:
Infusion feeding pumps | |
Enteral feeding products |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Drinking tubes as tableware |
This place covers:
Hollow flexible conduits specially adapted, or solely intended, for the purpose of providing nutriments in fluid or fluent forms to humans by insertion of the conduits into an orifice in the patient's abdomen.
For example:
US2005267415:
This place does not cover:
Devices or methods for introducing tubes or catheters |
This place covers:
Devices that are not designed to be ingestible and are specially adapted, or solely intended, for either:
soothing, calming, or relaxing infants or young children by relieving a physical craving (e.g., oral pacifier) or
allowing infants or young children to relieve minor irritations or inflammations themselves though usage of the devices (e.g., teething devices for gum irritation).
Details on baby-comforters or teething rings are classified in the following Indexing Codes:
Details; Accessories therefor |
This place covers:
Devices or receptacles specially adapted, or solely intended, for receiving spittle, phlegm, or other forms of naturally occurring oral discharge from humans.
This place does not cover:
Devices for receiving spittle for dentistry |
Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:
Receptacles for taking saliva or sputum samples |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Suction or pumping devices for medical purposes |