A
SECTION A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
  
HEALTH; LIFE-SAVING; AMUSEMENT
 A61
MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
 A61B
DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (analysing biological material G01N, e.g. G01N 33/48)
 A61B

Note(s)

This subclass covers instruments, implements, and processes for diagnostic, surgical and person-identification purposes, including obstetrics, instruments for cutting corns, vaccination instruments, finger-printing, psycho-physical tests.

 A61B
Subclass index
MEDICINAL METHODS (NON-SURGICAL) 1/00, 5/00, 17/00
INSTRUMENTS FOR PSYCHO-PHYSICAL TESTS 5/00
MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS
For auscultation and diagnostics 5/00 - 10/00
For medical examination of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body and the eyes 1/00, 3/00
Aids for examination and care of the mouth 1/00, 13/00
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, DEVICES OR METHODS 17/00; 18/00
OTHER INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS OR ACCESSORIES FOR SURGERY OR DIAGNOSIS 19/00
 A61B 1/00 - 
A61B 16/00
Diagnosis; Psycho-physical tests
P:50 A61B 1/00
Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes (examination of body cavities or body tracts using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B 8/12; endoscopic instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B 10/02; for surgical purposes A61B 17/00; surgical instruments using a laser beam being directed along or through a flexible conduit A61B 18/20); Illuminating arrangements therefor (for the eyes A61B 3/00)  [4]
 A61B 1/002
·  having rod-lens arrangements (A61B 1/055 takes precedence)  [6]
 A61B 1/005
·  Flexible endoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/008
·  ·  Articulations  [6]
 A61B 1/012
·  characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor  [6]
 A61B 1/04
·  combined with photographic or television appliances  [2]
 A61B 1/045
·  ·  Control thereof  [6]
 A61B 1/05
·  ·  characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion  [6]
 A61B 1/055
·  ·  having rod-lens arrangements  [6]
 A61B 1/06
·  with illuminating arrangements
 A61B 1/12
·  with cooling or rinsing arrangements (A61B 1/012 takes precedence)  [6]
 A61B 1/227
·  for ears, i.e. otoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/233
·  for the nose, i.e. nasoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/24
·  for the mouth, i.e. stomatoscopes, e.g. with tongue depressors (tongue depressors per se A61B 13/00); Instruments for opening or keeping open the mouth (combined with saliva removers A61C 17/06)  [5]
 A61B 1/267
·  for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/273
·  for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/303
·  for the vagina, i.e. vaginoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/307
·  for the urinary organs, e.g. urethroscopes, cystoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/31
·  for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/313
·  for introducing through surgical openings, e.g. laparoscopes  [6]
 A61B 1/32
·  Devices for opening or enlarging the visual field, e.g. of a tube of the body (dilators A61M 29/00)
P:60 A61B 3/00
Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes (eye inspection using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B 8/10)  [4,5]
 A61B 3/02
·  Subjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient  [5]
 A61B 3/10
·  Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients perceptions or reactions  [5]
 A61B 3/103
·  ·  for determining refraction, e.g. refractometers, skiascopes  [5]
 A61B 3/107
·  ·  for determining the shape or measuring the curvature of the cornea  [5]
 A61B 3/11
·  ·  for measuring interpupillary distance or diameter of pupils  [5]
 A61B 3/113
·  ·  for determining or recording eye movement  [5]
 A61B 3/117
·  ·  for examining the anterior chamber or the anterior chamber angle, e.g. gonioscopes  [5]
 A61B 3/12
·  ·  for looking at the eye fundus, e.g. ophthalmoscopes (A61B 3/13 takes precedence)  [5]
 A61B 3/13
·  ·  Ophthalmic microscopes  [5]
 A61B 3/14
·  ·  Arrangements specially adapted for eye photography  [5]
 A61B 3/15
·  ·  ·  with means for aligning, spacing or blocking spurious reflection  [5]
 A61B 3/16
·  ·  for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers  [5]
 A61B 3/18
·  Arrangement of plural eye-testing or -examining apparatus  [5]
P:80 A61B 5/00
Measuring for diagnostic purposes (radiation diagnosis A61B 6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B 8/00); Identification of persons
 A61B 5/00

Note(s)

In this group, the following term is used with the meaning indicated: [7]

  • "measuring" covers also detecting or recording. [7]

 A61B 5/01
·  Measuring temperature of body parts (clinical thermometers G01K 5/00; thermometers for special purposes G01K 13/00)  [7]
 A61B 5/02
·  Measuring pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure  [5]
 A61B 5/0205
·  ·  Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition  [5]
 A61B 5/021
·  ·  Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels (A61B 5/0205 takes precedence)  [5]
 A61B 5/0215
·  ·  ·  by means inserted into the body  [5]
 A61B 5/022
·  ·  ·  by applying pressure to close blood vessels, e.g. against the skin; Ophthaldynamometers  [5]
 A61B 5/0225
·  ·  ·  ·  the pressure being controlled by electric signals, e.g. derived from Korotkoff sounds  [5]
 A61B 5/024
·  ·  Measuring pulse rate or heart rate (A61B 5/0205, A61B 5/021 take precedence)  [5]
 A61B 5/026
·  ·  Measuring blood flow  [5]
 A61B 5/03
·  Measuring fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure  [4]
 A61B 5/04
·  Measuring bioelectric signals of the body or parts thereof
 A61B 5/0402
·  ·  Electrocardiography, i.e. ECG  [5]
 A61B 5/0408
·  ·  ·  Electrodes specially adapted therefor (for foetal cardiography A61B 5/0402; for electroencephalograph signals A61B 5/0476; for electromyography A61B 5/0488)  [5]
 A61B 5/0432
·  ·  ·  Recording apparatus specially adapted therefor  [5]
 A61B 5/0452
·  ·  ·  Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle  [5]
 A61B 5/0476
·  ·  Electroencephalography  [5]
 A61B 5/0488
·  ·  Electromyography  [5]
 A61B 5/0496
·  ·  Electro-oculography, e.g. detecting nystagmus  [5]
 A61B 5/05
·  Measuring for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields (A61B 5/02, A61B 5/04, A61B 5/11 take precedence)  [5]
 A61B 5/053
·  ·  Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body  [7]
 A61B 5/055
·  ·  involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging  [5]
 A61B 5/06
·  Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies (for removing same A61B 17/50)
 A61B 5/07
·  Endoradiosondes
 A61B 5/08
·  Measuring devices for evaluating the respiratory organs (A61B 5/0205 takes precedence)  [5]
 A61B 5/103
·  Measuring devices for testing the shape, pattern, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes (A61B 5/08 takes precedence; measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C 19/04)  [5]
 A61B 5/107
·  ·  Measuring physical dimensions, e.g. size of the entire body or parts thereof  [5]
 A61B 5/11
·  ·  Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor or mobility of a limb (for measuring pulse A61B 5/02)  [5]
 A61B 5/117
·  Identification of persons, e.g. finger-printing, foot-printing or impression techniques (dental impression cups or articulators A61C 9/00, A61C 11/00; recognising fingerprints G06K 9/00; identification of persons by analysing their voice or speech  G10L 17/00)  [5]
 A61B 5/12
·  Audiometering
 A61B 5/145
·  Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH-value (measuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B 5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B 5/06)  [7]
 A61B 5/15
·  Devices for taking samples of blood (hypodermic syringes A61M 5/178)  [7]
 A61B 5/16
·  Devices for psychotechnics (using teaching or educational appliances G09B 1/00-G09B 7/00); Testing reaction times
 A61B 5/20
·  Measuring urological functions  [4]
 A61B 5/22
·  Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow  [4]
P:30 A61B 6/00
Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment (instruments measuring radiation intensity for application in the field of nuclear medicine, e.g. in vivo counting, G01T 1/00; apparatus for taking X-ray photographs G03B 42/02)
 A61B 6/02
·  Devices for diagnosis sequentially in different planes; Stereoscopic radiation diagnosis
 A61B 6/03
·  ·  Computerised tomographs (echo-tomography A61B 8/14)  [4]
 A61B 6/04
·  Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like (operating tables A61G 13/00; operating chairs A61G 15/00)
 A61B 6/06
·  Diaphragms
 A61B 6/08
·  Auxiliary means for directing the radiation beam to a particular spot, e.g. using light beams
 A61B 6/10
·  Application or adaptation of safety means
 A61B 6/12
·  Devices for detecting or locating foreign bodies (A61B 6/02 takes precedence)
 A61B 6/14
·  Applications or adaptations for dentistry
P:70 A61B 7/00
Instruments for auscultation
P:40 A61B 8/00
Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves  [4]
 A61B 8/02
·  Measuring pulse or heart rate  [4]
 A61B 8/04
·  Measuring blood pressure  [4]
 A61B 8/06
·  Measuring blood flow  [4]
 A61B 8/08
·  Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings (A61B 8/02-A61B 8/06 take precedence)  [4]
 A61B 8/10
·  Eye inspection  [4]
 A61B 8/12
·  in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters (catheters per se A61M 25/00)  [4]
 A61B 8/13
·  Tomography (A61B 8/10, A61B 8/12 take precedence; tomography for radiation diagnosis A61B 6/02)  [5]
 A61B 8/14
·  ·  Echo-tomography  [4]
P:100 A61B 9/00
Instruments for examination by percussion; Pleximeters
P:110 A61B 10/00
Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements  [4,8]
 A61B 10/00

Note(s)

Attention is drawn to group A61F 13/15 which provides for swabs.  [5]

 A61B 10/02
·  Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy (devices for taking samples of blood A61B 5/15)  [8]
P:90 A61B 13/00
Instruments for depressing the tongue (combined with illuminating and viewing instruments A61B 1/24; combined with saliva removers A61C 17/06)  [5]
P:20 A61B 16/00
Devices specially adapted for vivisection or autopsy (similar devices for medical purposes, see the relevant groups for such devices)
 A61B 17/00
Surgery
P:10 A61B 17/00
Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets (A61B 18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F 6/00; eye surgery A61F 9/007; ear surgery A61F 11/00)  [3,7]
 A61B 17/00

Note(s)

When classifying in this group, classification is also made in group A61B 17/94 if the endoscopic features of the surgical instrument are of interest. [8]

 A61B 17/02
·  for holding wounds open; Tractors
 A61B 17/03
·  for closing wounds, or holding wounds closed, e.g. surgical staples; Accessories for use therewith  [6]
 A61B 17/04
·  ·  for suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials  [3]
 A61B 17/06
·  ·  ·  Needles; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials (puncturing needles A61B 17/34; hypodermic needles A61M 5/32)  [3]
 A61B 17/062
·  ·  ·  Needle manipulators  [6]
 A61B 17/064
·  ·  Surgical staples  [5]
 A61B 17/068
·  ·  Surgical staplers (for performing anastomosis A61B 17/03)  [5]
 A61B 17/12
·  for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels or umbilical cord
 A61B 17/14
·  Surgical saws (tooth saws A61C 3/00)
 A61B 17/16
·  Osteoclasts; Drills or chisels for bones; Trepans
 A61B 17/20
·  for vaccinating or cleaning the skin previous to the vaccination (apparatus for injections A61M 3/00, A61M 5/00)
 A61B 17/22
·  Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; for invasive removal or destruction of calculus using mechanical vibrations; for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for  [6,8]
 A61B 17/225
·  for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves  [6]
 A61B 17/24
·  for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose (for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B 1/00); Tongue scrapers
 A61B 17/28
·  Surgical forceps (biopsy forceps A61B 10/02; obstetrical forceps A61B 17/42)  [1,8]
 A61B 17/30
·  Surgical pincettes (wound clamps A61B 17/03)
 A61B 17/32
·  Surgical cutting instruments (implements for ligaturing and cutting A61B 17/12)  [3,8]
 A61B 17/322
·  ·  Skin grafting apparatus  [2]
 A61B 17/326
·  ·  Circumcision apparatus
 A61B 17/34
·  Trocars; Puncturing needles  [2]
 A61B 17/42
·  Gynaecological or obstetrical instruments or methods
 A61B 17/50
·  Instruments, other than pincettes or toothpicks, for removing foreign bodies from the human body
 A61B 17/54
·  Chiropodists' instruments
 A61B 17/56
·  Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor  [4]
 A61B 17/58
·  ·  for osteosynthesis, e.g. bone plates, screws or the like (A61B 17/14, A61B 17/16 take precedence)  [4,6]
 A61B 17/60
·  ·  ·  for external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors or contractors  [4]
 A61B 17/68
·  ·  ·  Internal fixation devices  [6]
 A61B 17/70
·  ·  ·  ·  Spinal positioners or stabilisers  [6]
 A61B 17/88
·  ·  ·  Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal fixation devices  [6]
 A61B 17/94
·  Endoscopic surgical instruments (endoscopic instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B 10/02)  [8]
P:0 A61B 18/00
Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (eye surgery A61F 9/007; ear surgery A61F 11/00)  [7]
 A61B 18/04
·  by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B 18/18; devices for heating specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H 39/00)  [7]
 A61B 18/12
·  ·  by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current  [7]
 A61B 18/14
·  ·  ·  Probes or electrodes therefor  [7]
 A61B 18/18
·  by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves (radiation therapy A61N 5/00)  [7]
 A61B 18/20
·  ·  using laser  [7]
P:120 A61B 19/00
Instruments, implements or accessories for surgery or diagnosis not covered by any of the groups A61B 1/00-A61B 18/00, e.g. for stereotaxis, sterile operation, luxation treatment, wound edge protectors (protective face masks A41D 13/05; surgeons' or patients' gowns or dresses A41D 13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M 1/00)