IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

C12Q - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Processes in which there is a direct or indirect qualitative or quantitative measurement or test of a material which contains enzymes or micro-organisms or processes in which a material containing enzymes or micro-organisms is used to perform a qualitative or quantitative measurement or test, e.g. testing for antimicrobial activity or cholesterol, geomicrobiological testing.

In vivo or in vitro or in silico measuring or testing processes involvingnucleic acid e.g. nucleic acid hybridisation including PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).

Compositions or test papers containing micro-organisms or enzymes which can be used to detect or identify a chemical compound or composition, e.g. paper strips for the testing of blood sugar.

Compositions or test papers distinguished by the use of indicators which can be used to detect or identify the presence of micro-organisms or enzymes.

Processes of making such test compositions.

Processes involvingenzymes or micro-organisms in which a process parameter is measured and that or another process parameter is varied in response to such measurement, i.e. condition responsive control.

Relationship between large subject matter areas

Controlling or regulating in general is classified in G05.

In subclasses C12M-C12Q or C12S, and within each of these subclasses, in the absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place.

The codes of subclass C12R are only for use as indexing codes associated with subclasses C12C-C12Q or C12S, so as to provide information concerning the micro-organisms used in the processes classified in these subclasses.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Measuring or testing apparatus with condition measuring or sensing means, e.g. colony counters

C12M 1/34

Apparatus for condition-responsive control processes

C12M 1/36

Observation of the progress or of the result of processes specified in this subclass by any of the methods specified in groups G01N 3/00-G01N 29/00

G01N

Immunoassay

G01N 33/53

Immunoassay with enzyme label

G01N 33/535

Immunoassay with the carrier being a biological cell or cell fragment

G01N 33/554

Immunoassay for micro-organisms

G01N 33/569

Immunoassay for venereal diseases

G01N 33/571

Immunoassay for enzymes and isoenzymes

G01N 33/573

Immunoassay for cancer

G01N 33/574

Immunoassay for hepatitis

G01N 33/576

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Micro-organisms per se

C12N 1/00

Human, animal or plant cells per se

C12N 5/00

Viruses per se

C12N 7/00

Enzymes per se

C12N 9/00, C12N 11/00

Investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties

G01N

Investigating or analysing biological material

G01N 33/48-G01N 33/98

Chemical analysis involving blood sugar, e.g. galactose

G01N 33/66

Chemical analysis involving proteins, peptides and amino acids

G01N 33/68

Chemical analysis involving lipids, e.g. cholesterol

G01N 33/92

Special rules of classification

In this subclass, in absence of an indication to the contrary, classification is made in the last appropriate place.

In this subclass, test media are classified in the appropriate group for the relevant test process.

In this subclass, viruses, undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae are considered as micro-organisms.

In this subclass, unless specifically provided for, undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae are classified together with micro-organisms. Sub-cellular parts, unless specifically provided for, are classified with the whole cell.

Glossary of terms

In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Enzyme

Proteinaceous material which causes a chemical change in a starting material without being consumed in the reaction.

Involving

when used in relation to a substance, includes the testing for the substance as well as employing the substance as a determinant or reactant in a test for a different substance.

Micro-organism

Single-celled organisms such as bacteria, actinomycetales or single-celled fungi, e.g. yeasts; for the purposes of classification, this term also includes viruses, undifferentiated human, animal or plant cells, protozoa, tissues and unicellular algae.

Nucleic acid

comprises nucleic acids as in vitro compounds as well as sub-cellular parts in vivo like chromosome territories within the nucleus, plasmids, gene sequences, genetic information, mutations, polymorphisms such as SNPs, in silico base sequences, aptamers (ligand binding nucleic acids) and ribozymes (catalytic active RNA molecules).