Analyzing the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 5,302,400: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Understanding the scope and claims of a patent is crucial for inventors, businesses, and legal professionals. This article will delve into the details of United States Patent 5,302,400, exploring its claims, the patent landscape, and the insights gained from such an analysis.
Patent Overview
United States Patent 5,302,400, titled "PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND USE OF PANCREATIN MICROPELLET CORES," was assigned to Abbott Laboratories (now part of AbbVie Pharmaceuticals GmbH). The patent was filed on August 15, 1991, and granted on April 12, 1994[4].
Claims Analysis
The patent includes multiple claims that define the scope of the invention. Here are the key aspects:
Independent Claims
- The patent's independent claims describe the process for manufacturing pancreatin micropellet cores, including the specific steps and materials involved.
- For example, Claim 1 might describe the overall process, while subsequent claims detail specific components or variations of the process[4].
Dependent Claims
- Dependent claims further narrow down the invention by adding additional limitations or features to the independent claims.
- These claims help to protect specific embodiments of the invention and can be crucial in distinguishing the patent from prior art[4].
Patent Scope
The scope of a patent is determined by its claims, which define what is protected by the patent.
Technological Field
- This patent falls under the pharmaceutical and biotechnology field, specifically related to the manufacture and use of pancreatin micropellet cores.
- The National Bureau of Economics Research (NBER) classification scheme would categorize this under the "Drugs and Medical Instruments" field[1].
Innovation and Impact
- The invention relates to an improved process for manufacturing pancreatin micropellet cores, which are used in pharmaceutical applications.
- The impact of this patent can be gauged by its citations and the number of times it has been referenced by other patents, indicating its influence in the field[3].
Patent Landscape Analysis
A patent landscape analysis provides a comprehensive view of the existing patents within a specific technology domain.
Defining Scope and Keywords
- To analyze the landscape around Patent 5,302,400, one would define the scope by identifying relevant keywords such as "pancreatin micropellet cores," "pharmaceutical manufacturing," and "enzymatic processes"[3].
Search and Organize Patents
- Using databases like the USPTO's Patent Application Publication Full-Text and Patent Grant Full Text files, one can search for patents related to the defined scope.
- Organizing these patents by factors like filing date, assignee, and technological classification helps in visualizing the landscape[2].
Identify Trends and Key Players
- Analyzing the patent filings over time reveals trends in the technological domain.
- Key players in this field can be identified by their patent portfolios and the frequency of their filings. For example, AbbVie Pharmaceuticals GmbH and other major pharmaceutical companies might be significant players[3].
Analyze Citations and Evolution
- Studying how patents reference each other (citation analysis) helps in understanding the impact and development of the technology.
- This analysis can show how Patent 5,302,400 has influenced subsequent inventions and how it fits into the broader technological evolution[3].
Data Visualization and Analysis
Visual aids like heat maps and citation networks are essential for revealing trends and interconnections among patents.
Geographical Distribution
- Visualizing the geographical distribution of patent filings can help identify innovation hotspots and potential white spaces in the market[3].
Citation Patterns
- Analyzing citation patterns can gauge the influence of Patent 5,302,400 and its position within the technological landscape.
- This can also highlight areas where the patent has been particularly impactful or where it has been built upon by other inventors[3].
Competitive Edge
A patent landscape analysis can provide a competitive edge by offering detailed insights into the technological domain.
Identifying Competitors’ Patents
- By identifying competitors’ key patents, businesses can determine their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
- This information can be used to make strategic decisions about research and development, licensing, and litigation[3].
Evaluating Patent Portfolios
- Evaluating the strength of a patent portfolio involves assessing how many times a patent has been cited, the jurisdictions in which it is protected, and the market size in those jurisdictions.
- This evaluation can help in determining the most robust patents in a given portfolio and how they compare to those of competitors[3].
Key Takeaways
- Claims and Scope: Understanding the claims of Patent 5,302,400 is crucial for determining its scope and what is protected.
- Patent Landscape: A comprehensive analysis of the patent landscape provides insights into trends, key players, and technological evolution.
- Competitive Edge: This analysis can offer a competitive edge by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities within the technological domain.
- Data Visualization: Visual aids are essential for revealing trends and interconnections among patents.
FAQs
Q: What is the main subject of United States Patent 5,302,400?
A: The main subject is the process for the manufacture and use of pancreatin micropellet cores.
Q: How can one analyze the patent landscape around this patent?
A: By defining the scope, searching and organizing relevant patents, identifying trends and key players, and analyzing citations and evolution.
Q: What is the significance of citation analysis in patent landscape analysis?
A: Citation analysis helps in understanding the impact and development of the technology by showing how patents reference each other.
Q: How can a patent landscape analysis provide a competitive edge?
A: It helps in identifying competitors’ key patents, evaluating patent portfolios, and making strategic decisions about research and development, licensing, and litigation.
Q: What tools are available for visualizing patent data?
A: Tools include heat maps, citation networks, and other data visualization techniques to reveal trends and interconnections among patents.
Cited Sources
- Carley, M., Hegde, D., & Marco, A. (2015). What Is the Probability of Receiving a US Patent? Yale Journal of Law & Technology, 17, 203.
- USPTO. (2017). Patent Claims Research Dataset.
- Goldstein Patent Law. How to Do Patent Landscape Analysis.
- United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1994). United States Patent 5,302,400.
