US PATENT SUBCLASS 604 / 500
.~.~ Method

Current as of: June, 1999
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604 /   HD   SURGERY

19  DF  MEANS FOR INTRODUCING OR REMOVING MATERIAL FROM BODY FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES (E.G., MEDICATING, IRRIGATING, ASPIRATING, ETC.) {7}
48  DF  .~ Treating material introduced into or removed from body orifice, or inserted or removed subcutaneously other than by diffusing through skin {9}
500.~.~ Method {8}
501  DF  .~.~.~> Enhanced absorption of therapeutic material internally using iontophoretic treatment
502  DF  .~.~.~> Therapeutic material introduced by subcutaneous implant (e.g., peritoneal injectors)
503  DF  .~.~.~> Therapeutic material introduced or removed in response to a sensed body condition {2}
506  DF  .~.~.~> Therapeutic material introduced or removed through a piercing conduit (e.g., trocar) inserted into body {4}
514  DF  .~.~.~> Therapeutic material introduced or removed from natural body orifice {3}
518  DF  .~.~.~> Liquid therapeutic material administered with solid or second liquid {2}
521  DF  .~.~.~> Therapeutic material to facilitate ocular treatment
522  DF  .~.~.~> Introduction of biologically derived compounds (i.e., growth hormones or blood products) including cells

DEFINITION

Classification: 604/500

Method:

(under subclass 48) Subject matter for a process to place therapeutic material into the body or removing it therefrom.

(1)

Note. A prerequisite for placement in this class is that the material is used exclusively to treat a body condition, thus excluding the removal of body concretments using irrigation procedures.

(2) Note. Methods of diffusing materials through the epidermis is not appropriate subject matter for this subclass, however; diffusion at the cellular level via implanted osmotic devices is.

(3) Note. Angioplasty procedures often require the injection of an oxygenating substance to the myocardium during removal of the occlusion and therefore may be included in this and subsequent subclasses if claimed in conjunction with the application of an oxygenating agent or other therapeutic material.

(4) Note. Patents disclosing dye injection for exploratory procedures are inappropriate subject matter for this subclass. See accompanying search note.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

290, for methods for applying or removing material to or from an external surface of the body. 358+, for methods of using swabs for the application of therapeutic substances.

501, for iontophoretic treatment of endothelial cells or internal organs.

892.1, for therapeutic delivery devices, which forcibly dispense body treating material by pressure created by osmosis or diffusion of fluid through the skin.

540+, for methods and means for removing nontherapeutic material from the body, including aspiration procedures.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

600, Surgery,

407+, for methods of diagnosis relying on nuclear, electromagnetic or ultrasonic radiation;. subclasses 420 for disclosing the use of dye injection for exploratory procedures in association with an MRI device; subclasses 431+ disclosing the use of dye injection for exploratory procedures; and subclasses 101+ for endoscopes.