US PATENT SUBCLASS 427 / 2.31
.~ Flexible web, sheet, film, or filament base (e.g., fabric, bandage, suture, transdermal patch, orthopedic cast tape)

Current as of: June, 1999
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427 /   HD   COATING PROCESSES

2.1  DF  MEDICAL OR DENTAL PURPOSE PRODUCT; PARTS; SUBCOMBINATIONS; INTERMEDIATES (E.G., BALLOON CATHETER, SPLINT) {7}
2.31.~ Flexible web, sheet, film, or filament base (e.g., fabric, bandage, suture, transdermal patch, orthopedic cast tape)

DEFINITION

Classification: 427/2.31

Flexible web, sheet, film, or filament base (e.g., fabric, bandage, suture, transdermal patch, orthopedic cast tape):

(under subclass 2.1) Processes in which the product comprises a flexible web, sheet, film, or filament base; parts, subcombinations, or intermediates thereof or therefor.

(1) Note. Examples of appropriate subject matter for this subclass include the following: filament; composed of multiple threads (cord); woven or unwoven fibrous material such as paper or gauze; nonporous sheet, foil, or film material such as metal foil or a synthetic plastic film.

(2) Note. Flexible here means material that a person could normally fold with unassisted bare hands without destroying its functionality. Thus, a process which coats a thin metal foil may be appropriately classified here if it is normally foldable.

(3) Note. Suture includes a product made of threads, cords, or filaments which is intended to be used to close a wound or to tie, bind, or constrict a portion of a body organ.

(4) Note. Methods for making material useful for making a stiff body wrap, such as an orthopedic cast, are proper for placement here so long as the material in the claim is flexible: see subclass 2.3 if there is a liquid barrier feature.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

2.24, for artificial skin. 2.29, for dental floss.

2.3, for coating processes related to products which may have a sheet or film base and which are intended to serve as a fluid barrier or fluid transporting product such as surgical glove, condom, lined diaper, membrane filter, IV tubing, cannula, or dialysis membrane.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

2, Apparel, for garments such as surgical gloves, gowns, masks, etc., especially

455, if to protect the wearer against unusual conditions (subclass 2.5 for penetration resistant apparel, subclass 9 for face protection, and subclasses 16+ for hand protection); subclasses 69+ for body garments (subclasses 93+ for coats and subclass 161.7 for gloves); and subclass 206 for surgical mask.

128, Surgery, appropriate subclasses for bandages, body applicators, or body dressings; see Class 424 definition for the line between it and Class 128.

424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,

402+, for wearing apparel, fabric, or cloth coated or impregnated with a biocidal or pharmaceutical composition; subclasses 411+ for nominal article comprising a solid carrier or diluent for a biocide, repellent, or attractant, such as wrapping, packaging, lining, or building material or a container (e.g., of, or containing, cellulose); subclasses 414+ for paper or foil comprising a biocide, repellent, or attractant; and subclasses 443+ for web, sheet, film, filament, bandage, or dressing bases with a medicament coating or impregnant. See Class 424 definition for the line between it and Class 128 for bandages, body applicators, or body dressings.

428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, for stock material product in the form of a single or plural layer, web, or sheet and which contains a biocide; or for an article not elsewhere provided for comprising a coated or impregnated base preserved by a composition or compound which has a Class 424 utility (e.g., moth-proofed textile or termite-proofed wood).

523, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers,

105+, for nonmedicated composition of the class or process of preparing, which is specifically intended for contact with living animal tissue (other than apparel), such as suture composition. 602, Surgery: Splint, Brace, or Bandage,

41+, for means to prevent injury to a body portion, to protect or cover a wound upon or under body skin, or to promote healing of an injured body portion. See Class 424 definitions for the line between it and Class 128 for bandages, body applicators, or body dressings.

606, Surgery, for a composition used in sutures where the claim has either significant structure or a significant physical property characterizing said suture. The mere use of the terms "filament" or "fiber" or "suture" is considered significant structure, and use of numerical indices of tensile strength, handleability, sterility, density, or denier are examples of significant characteristic physical properties proper for Class 128.