A61N - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Specially adapted apparatus, instruments, devices, or processes for the following types of therapy:
- electrotherapy, e.g. iontophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- radiation therapy;
- ultrasound therapy.
Components having specialized structural features that limit their use to the apparatus, instruments, or devices for the types of therapy appropriate for this subclass.
Relationship between large subject matter areas
Several subclasses provide for subject matter that is used for therapy. The relationship between these subclasses in regard to the type of therapy covered by each is as follows:
Subclass A61N provides for medical treatment-type therapy by apparatus or methods utilizing forms of energy other than direct mechanical energy when they are not used for surgical purposes and they are intended to either
- destroy, control, or advance the recovery of sick or abnormal cells within body tissue while minimizing undesirable destruction of adjoining healthy cells, or
- treat other types of abnormal conditions of the body (e.g., disease, impaired organ, injured limb).
In particular, subclass A61N covers implanted devices, when the implanted device is not a replacement or supplementation of an actual portion of the organ or part, utilizing forms of energy other than direct mechanical energy to stimulate organs or body parts in a manner that facilitates, regulates, or improves their normal functioning.
Subclass A61H provides for massage and physical-type therapy apparatus or methods for the treatment of disease or disability (i.e., an abnormal condition of the body) by utilization of direct mechanical energy. The apparatus or methods appropriate for this subclass do not surgically alter any portion of the bodies during treatment. Usually, the massage and therapy apparatus and methods of this subclass are intended to facilitate the healing of diseases, reduce the impact of injuries, or beneficially influence the condition of disabled body parts by physically moving a part of a body (e.g., devices for exercising a passive body member) solely by direct physical contact with, or stimulation of, external surfaces of the body or naturally occurring cavities in the body. However, stimulation of internal organs or body parts, such as artificial respiration and stimulation of the heart, when it is done by direct mechanical energy is also considered proper for this subclass.
Subclass A61K and Subclass A61P provide for drug-type therapy using chemical compounds or medicinal preparations specially adapted for use in healing, benefiting, or destroying abnormal conditions of the body (e.g., diseases, birth defects) and the specific therapeutic activities that the chemical compounds and medicinal preparations are used for.
Subclass A61B provides for surgery and surgical-type therapy that alters or repairs organs and body parts. It also provides for any surgical or diagnostic apparatus or methods that would otherwise be proper for subclass A61H or A61N when the apparatus or methods are used for both purposes or combined together. In particular, subclass A61B provides for surgical instruments, devices, or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (e.g., electromagnetic radiation surgery) to alter or repair it.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Apparatus for diagnosis or surgery combined with, or applicable also as, therapy apparatus | A61B |
Apparatus for radiation diagnosis | A61B 6/00 |
Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (e.g., radiation surgery, electro-surgery) | A61B 18/00 |
Instruments, implements, tools, or methods specially adapted so as to limit their use to only animals | A61D |
Apparatus or methods utilizing direct mechanical energy in therapy intended to treat disease or disability | A61H |
Percussion or vibration massage apparatus (e.g. using supersonic vibration) | A61H 23/00 |
Apparatus or methods for stimulating specific reflex points by heating or cooling within the cell-life limits | A61H 39/06 |
Devices for applying radioactive material to the body | A61M 36/00 |
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Measuring bioelectrical signals of the body or body parts | A61B 5/04 |
Surgical accessories | A61B 34/00, A61B 90/00 |
Artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body | A61F 2/00 |
Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment | A61F 7/00 |
Saunas | A61H 33/06 |
Radiopharmaceuticals | A61K 51/00 |
Anaesthetic apparatus in general | A61M |
Artificial hearts and circulatory assistance means intended for implantation | A61M 1/12 |
Pressure infusion pumps | A61M 5/142 |
Devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness by mechanical, optical or acoustical means, e.g. audiovisual stimuli | A61M 21/00 |
Therapeutic chemical compounds or medicinal preparation used to treat sicknesses or abnormal conditions of the body | A61P |
Measurement of nuclear X-radiation | G01T |
Techniques for handling of particles or electromagnetic radiation | G21K |
Incandescent lamps having general utility | H01K |
Infrared radiators for heating | H05B |
Glossary of terms
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
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