CPC Definition - Subclass C12M
This place covers:
Apparatus or devices specially adapted to the fermentation or to the growth of microorganisms, animal or plant cells or tissues, i.e. bioreactors and fermenters. The apparatus or devices covered by this subclass are designed for producing biomass or artificial tissues in laboratory or industrial scale.
The most simple bioreactor or fermenter is an apparatus comprising at least a container where the microorganisms or cells are placed and which is put under conditions that make it suitable for the culturing of the microorganisms or cells.
This subclass covers also devices for the pre-treatment of the material to be treated in the apparatus and for the after-treatment of the biomass, cells or tissues grown in the apparatus.
This subclass does not cover the methods or processes taking place in bioreactors which are not based on the use of the apparatus or its parts.
In this subclass the term microorganism includes prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Viruses, human, animal or plant cells, protozoa and unicellular algae are considered microorganisms.
Apparatus and devices per se which are not specifically intended or adapted for culturing microorganisms or cells are classified in the subclasses corresponding to their general function, e.g. mixing and mixers in general B01F, chemical or physical laboratory apparatus for general use B01L, apparatus for chemical or physical processes in general B01J.
Documents describing an apparatus or device and mentioning its use for culturing microorganisms, cells or tissue among other different uses are to be primarily classified in the subclasses corresponding to the general type of apparatus or device (e.g. B01F, B01L, B01J, etc.) with a secondary classification should be given in C12M.
This place does not cover:
Apparatus for culturing plant tissue | |
Apparatus for preserving living parts of the human or animal body | |
Apparatus or devices for disinfecting or sterilising in general. Investigating the degree of sterilization | |
Chemical or physical processes in general. Chemical or physical laboratory apparatus for general use. Investigating or analysing biological material | |
Apparatus or devices for DNA or RNA technology | |
Apparatus for the biological treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge | |
Apparatus for preparing fertilisers characterised by the composting step | |
Apparatus for beer brewing | |
Apparatus for production of wine or vinegar | |
Fermentation processes | |
Apparatus for bioleaching of ores | |
Removing non-cellulose substances from cellulose-containing materials | |
Investigating individual particles | |
Testing or evaluating the effect of a chemical or biological compound involving human or animal cells | |
Investigating or analysing biological material by immunoassay | |
Automatic analysis |
The CPC groups C12M 21/00 - C12M 99/00 do not correspond to former or current IPC groups.
The concordance table ECLA:IPC under the title of the subclass should be disregarded.
All the inventive technical features of the bioreactor should be classified in the corresponding groups and subgroups of C12M. Additional information can also be classified in C12M and should be taken into account for proposing a classification in other subclasses.
The last place rule for classification is not used in C12M.
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Bioreactor | Apparatus comprising at least a container where the microorganisms or cells are placed and which is put under conditions that make it suitable for the culturing of the microorganisms or cells. |
Fermenter | Term used for bioreactors for culturing bacteria or yeast with the purpose of obtaining their metabolic or fermentation products |
In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:
Bioreactor | Fermenter, Digester, Biodigester |
Cell growth | Cell expansion, cell differentiation |
Incubator | Apparatus for temperature control |
This place does not cover:
Apparatus for biological treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge | |
Apparatus for preparing organic fertiliser by composting |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Digesters for manure | |
Apparatus for PCR | |
Destroying or transforming solid waste | |
Methods for genetic engineering | |
Nucleic acid amplification reactions |
The main group C12M 21/00 should not be used for classification.
The titles of the subgroups of C12M 21/00 form a non exhaustive list of the most common uses of bioreactors or fermenters covered by C12M. Documents relating to one of the uses enumerated in the subgroups of C12M 21/00 should be classified in the relevant subgroups. Documents on bioreactors or fermenters which are not related to one of the uses enumerated in the subgroups of C12M 21/00 should not be classified in C12M 21/00 or its subgroups at all.
Notwithstanding the classification according to the use in C12M 21/00, at least a further classification should be given in C12M 23/00 - C12M 99/00 according the technical features of the apparatus.
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters using a source of illumination which is needed for achieving cellular growth.
Photobioreactors can be closed systems or open systems such ponds or basins.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Methods for culturing algae | |
Apparatus for plant tissue culture |
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
PBR | Photobioreactor |
This place does not cover:
Biological treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Digesters for manure with production of biogas | |
Preparation of natural gas or syngas or other gaseous fuels |
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
IVF | in vitro fertilization |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Prostheses, artificial parts of the human body | |
Grafts, transplant tissues |
This place does not cover:
Bioreactors or fermenters for producing gas |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Grafts, transplant tissues | |
Liquid carbonaceous fuels | |
Solid Fuels |
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters for solid state fermentation. Solid state fermentation is characterized by a content of at least 90% of dry matter. In the solid state fermentation the liquid phase is not continuous.
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
SSF | Solid-state fermentation |
SLF | Submerged liquid fermentation |
Non submerged state fermenter | Solid-state fermenter |
This place covers:
Apparatus or devices for culturing microorganisms or cells or for culturing tissues characterized by constructional details of the vessel of the bioreactor or characterized by parts with a mechanical function not covered by groups C12M 25/00 - C12M 41/00.
This place does not cover:
Flow directing inserts |
This place does not cover:
Large containers in general |
This place does not cover:
Petri dish | |
Well or multiwell plates | |
Microfluidic devices; Capillary tubes |
This place does not cover:
Test tubes | |
Capillary tubes |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Tubes and flasks for laboratory use in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Crystallizing dishes in general |
This place does not cover:
Membranes or filters in combination with well or multiwell plates |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Multi-well filtration in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Biochips | |
Microreactors per se | |
Integrated microfluidic devices in general |
This place covers:
i.a. combinations of closed and open bioreactors.
This place does not cover:
Closed bioreactors which are situated in or on an open water space itself not used for culture |
This place covers:
Materials and coatings for the materials other than immunocoatings.
This place does not cover:
Immunocoatings |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Glassware for laboratory use in general |
This place does not cover:
Bags |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Flexible containers for laboratory use in genera |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Fluid transfer means in general |
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters built as integral units comprising all the different parts disposed in a compact unit. This compact unit comprising all parts of the bioreactor can be in the form of a cassette or a cartridge which could also be assembled with other devices.
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters comprising separated or separable units which can be mounted or dismounted independently from each other.
This place does not cover:
Reaction vessels connected in series or in parallel |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Holding devices for laboratory use in general |
This place does not cover:
Control of illumination by means of changing the orientation |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Transportable laboratories in general |
This place does not cover:
Combinations of bioreactors or fermenters with other apparatus (different from a bioreactor or fermenter) |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Connected reactors for chemical or physical processes in general | B01J 19/1818, B01J 19/1825, B01J 19/1856, B01J 19/1862, B01J 19/242, B01J 19/2425, B01J 19/2445, B01J 19/245 |
This place covers:
Apparatus, devices or systems for culturing microorganisms or cells or for culturing tissues characterized by the means for supporting the organism to be cultured, e.g. immunological coatings of the walls of the vessel.
Note that C12N 5/0068 covers supports for cell culture "per se" and C12M 25/00 and subgroups covers these supports when they form part of a bioreactor or fermenter.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Apparatus in general for separation processes using semipermeable membranes | |
Fluidized bed apparatus | |
Packing elements for chemical or physical processes |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Filters or filtration in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Hollow fibre modules in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Substrate, supports and/or coatings for cell culture |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Chemical or physical processes conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particles |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Fluidized bed apparatus in chemical or physical processes |
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters characterized by means for mixing, agitating or fluid circulation.
Mixing and mixers in general are covered by B01F.
This place does not cover:
Bioreactors or fermenters characterized by means for mixing, agitating or fluid circulation by introduction of gas when the gas is not introduced through an stirrer |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Digesters for manure with mixing means | |
Mixing in apparatus for chemical or physical processes |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Mixing with completely immersed stirring elements | |
Stirrers in general | |
Stirred reactor in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Mixing in general with introduction of gas through the stirrer |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Mixing in general with stirrer rotating around an horizontal axis |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Mixers with rotating receptacles per se | |
Rotating reactors in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Mixers in general with shaking, oscillating or vibrating mechanisms | |
In chemical or physical processes in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Baffles in general | |
Baffles in reactors for physical or chemical processes |
This place covers:
Means for introduction or extraction of materials in or from a bioreactor or fermenter. These materials can be in gaseous, liquid or solid form and do not include microorganisms or biomass.
Means for extraction and reintroduction (i.e. recirculation) of materials other than microorganisms or biomass are also covered in this section.
This place does not cover:
Pumps per se |
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters with a recirculation of filtered culture medium not containing microorganisms or cells to the same vessel or to a different bioreactor vessel.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Mixing in general by use of nozzles, diffusers or sprayers |
This place covers:
Hollow fibers used as means for introduction or extraction of materials in the bioreactor or fermenter.
This place does not cover:
Hollow fibers used as means for supporting the microorganims. |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Hollow fibre modules in general |
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters with systems for recirculation and reintroduction of biomass or culture medium containing microorganisms or cells.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Loop type reactors for chemical and physical processes in general |
This place does not cover:
Means for collection or storage of gas |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Gas collection apparatus for laboratory use in general |
This place does not cover:
Means for control of illumination |
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters with rotating light emitting and/or light transmitting elements.
This place covers:
Means for introduction into the bioreactor or extraction from the bioreactor of biomass comprising the microorganisms or cells that are to be cultured or have been already cultured.
Means for shifting the biomass or positioning the biomass inside the bioreactor.
This place does not cover:
Loop means for reintroduction of biomass | |
Sampling of air borne microorganisms |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Devices for taking samples of body liquids | |
Chemical or physical laboratory apparatus in general | |
Withdrawing or distributing predetermined quantities of fluid |
This place covers:
Absorbing means for transferring liquids.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Fluid transport using swabs |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Pipettes in general |
This place does not cover:
Methods for cell fusion | |
Introduction of foreign genetic material |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Machines or apparatus for extracting juice from animal or vegetable tissue by electroplasmolysis | |
Processes employing electric or wave energy | |
Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy |
This place does not cover:
Application of stress on microorganisms or cells or electroporation by electromagnetic means |
This place does not cover:
Caps or covers |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Filters and filtration in general | |
Autoclaves | |
Treatment of microorganisms with electrical or wave energy |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Seals for reactors in general | |
Seals for laboratory containers | B01L3/00B4 |
Seals in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Apparatus for cleaning laboratory receptacles or instruments | |
Cleaning in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Controlling or regulating chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes | |
Heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use | |
Electro-optical investigation of individual particles, flow cytometers | |
Automatic analysis | |
Controlling or regulating in general | G05N |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Foam prevention during degasification of liquids |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Making foam by mixing |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Digesters for manure with heat recuperation means | |
Controlling the temperature of chemical or physical processes | |
Heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Enclosures or chambers for laboratory use |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Electrooptical investigation of individual particles | |
Flow cytometers |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Automatic analysis |
This place covers:
Bioreactors or fermenters characterized in that they are connected to other apparatus which are not bioreactors or fermenters.
This place does not cover:
Bioreactors or fermenters connected with other bioreactors or fermenters |
This place does not cover:
Photobioreactors combined with devices or plants for gas production |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Recovery of carbon dioxide |
This place covers:
Means for treating the biomass before introducing it into the bioreactor or fermenter and before starting the culturing process. These means are normally situated outside the bioreactor or fermenter.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Preservation of living parts of the human or animal body |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Cutting apparatus specially adapted for plant tissue culture | |
Crushing, pulverizing, disintegrating in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Centrifuges in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Preservation of living parts of the human or animal body | |
Casings for storing cell samples |
This place covers:
Means for treating the biomass that has been already cultured. These means are normally situated outside the bioreactor or fermeneter.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Preservation of living parts of the human or animal body | |
Filters and filtration in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Separating microorganisms from their culture media |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Purging biological preparations of unwanted cells | |
Determining the presence or kind of microorganism |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Lysis of microorganisms | |
Extracting or separating nucleic acids from biological samples |
This place does not cover:
Bioreactors or fermenters combined with means for liquid fuel extraction |
This place does not cover:
Cell isolation or sorting |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Autoclaves in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours | |
Separation of gases or vapours | |
Gas washing apparatus for laboratory use |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Heating or cooling apparatus for laboratory use |