US PATENT CLASS 128
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 128/
This class includes methods of treatment of the living body
and apparatus used in the inspection and treatment of diseases, wounds, and other abnormal conditions of the bodies of humans and lower animals.
This class includes methods and means for manufacturing surgical appliances which are not classifiable in other classes.
(1) Note. This class appropriate subclasses, provides for a method of blood transfusion or artificial inseminations.
(2) Note. This class includes methods and apparatus wherein specific structure, adapted to be placed on or in the living body, is claimed, and further includes diagnostic or therapeutic methods and apparatus wherein no such specific structure is claimed, when the only disclosed utility is for diagnosis or treatment of a living body. In addition, subcombinations of surgical treatment or testing apparatus are classified in the class when not specifically provided for elsewhere.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
Class 604, Surgery, is an integral part of Class 128, Surgery, and all notes and class lines of Class 128 apply to Class 604. Class 604 follows the hierarchy of Class 128, Class 604 merely replaces the Medicators and Receptors portion of Class 128. For the purpose of convenience, Class 604 is referred to as a separate Class.
LINE WITH CLASS 4
Generic terms such as "treatment'', "therapy'', "massage'', "hydrotherapy'', "hydromassage'', etc., are to be interpreted broadly for placement in Class 4 lacking a disclosed body treatment for a named medical condition or physical injury. Exceptions to this rule comprise generically disclosed and claimed hydrotherapy of the genitalia or any internal body tissues, or a device for applying a force which imparts a specific motion to the body or portion thereof, or a device which is disclosed as providing treatment resulting in an internal action on the body which shall be classified in Class 128 or one of its Class 600 series trailer classes as provided for therein. LINE WITH CLASS 239
Generic terms such as "treatment'', "therapy", "massage", "hydrotherapy'', "hydromassage'', etc. are to be interpreted broadly for placement in Class 239 lacking a disclosed body treatment for a named medical condition or physical injury. Exceptions to this rule comprise generically disclosed and claimed hydrotherapy of the genitalia or any internal body tissues, or a device for applying a force which imparts a specific motion to the body or portion thereof which shall be classified in Class 128 or one of its Class 600 series trailer classes as provided for therein.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
4, Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons, for a bathing device generically disclosed and claimed which does not provide medical treatment to the body for a named ailment or injury thereof. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, for the lines between Class 4 and Class 128 or one of its series trailer classes as provided for therein.)
5, Beds,
630+, for a table designed to serve as a support for an animal during surgical operations, especially for a device attached to or combined with a table comprising a mere body support for surgical operations.
27, Undertaking, for means for embalming or otherwise caring for the dead body.
36, Boots, Shoes, and Leggings, appropriate subclasses for foot coverings and foot devices for general use.
73, Measuring and Testing,
863+, for samplers; and particularly subclasses 864.01+ for a pipette (e.g., syringe, hollow needle, etc.) which does not contact the living body. 81, Tools,
9.22, for a tattooing device including means to reciprocate (e.g., vibrate) a perforating tool and to discharge coloring material into the perforations.
108, Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces,
1+, for a horizontally supported surface which is tiltable.
119, Animal Husbandry, for means for the treatment and general care of livestock,
14.21, for milking catheters disclosed for that purpose and subclasses 712+ for body harness of general application. See the search notes thereunder.
132, Toilet, appropriate subclasses for methods and devices used by persons in making their toilet, particularly
212+, for devices for treating, dressing, or manipulating the hair, and subclasses 73+ for devices for manicuring the nails and for removing corns and other callosities by abrasion.
168, Farriery, for means for the care of the feet of animals.
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing, for a spray head, including the massaging type generically disclosed and claimed which does not provide medical treatment for a named ailment or injury. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, for the lines between Class 239 and Class 128 or one of its series trailer classes as provided for therein.)
257, Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes), 414+, for such devices used as sensors (e.g., chemical sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), that are small enough to be inserted in a body to be used for measuring and testing.
297, Chairs and Seats, appropriate subclasses for a chair whose component parts may be manipulated to place an occupant in a desired position to facilitate examination or treatment, but which have no examination or treatment means combined therewith.
312, Supports: Cabinet Structure,
209, for cabinets specially designed for laboratory, dental, barber or medical use.
351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,
1+, for optical eye examining and vision testing instruments; and subclasses 41+ for spectacles and eyeglasses. See also References to Other Classes in the Class 351 Class Definitions and (1) Note under subclasses 200+ of this class for statements as to subject matter classified in this class and Class 128.
401, Coating Implements With Material Supply,
28, for a multiple (massaging) tip, multiple discharge implement adapted to be applied to the human body.
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions, appropriate subclass for a medicinal composition or process of use of a compound or composition and particularly
467, for a composition of that class comprising a structural feature and see the definition of that class for the line between Class 128 and Class 424.
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, for a stock material product in the form of a single or plural layer web or sheet, and
364+, for a structurally defined (e.g., crimped, particular cross-section) or coated rod, strand, fiber or filament. 433, Dentistry, appropriate subclasses for subject matter restricted to (sole disclosure) specific dental steps or
means. Apparatus wherein a specific nondental surgical use is disclosed and are classified as originals in Class 128.
435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology,
1, and 2 for a method of maintaining the viability of an animal tissue or cell, e.g., bone, blood or sperm.
436, Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing for processes of chemical testing, processes of an vitro antigen-antibody testing and compositions therefore.
520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers, especially Class 523,
105+, for nonmedicated compositions containing a synthetic resin or natural rubber having utility specifically intended to be for contact with living animal tissue; and subclass 111 for a composition which is to be used in a protective bandage for an open wound or as a tape adhesive, binder, or impregnate for a body absorbent device; or to processes of preparing said compositions.
623, Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefore, for prosthetic devices.