Analyzing the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 5,514,698
Introduction
United States Patent 5,514,698, titled "Antifungal Cream Compositions and Manufacturing Procedures," is a significant patent in the field of pharmaceuticals, particularly for the treatment of fungal infections. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this patent.
Patent Overview
Title: Antifungal Cream Compositions and Manufacturing Procedures
Patent Number: 5,514,698
Issue Date: August 7, 1996
Inventors: [Not specified in the provided sources]
Assignee: [Not specified in the provided sources]
Claims Analysis
Independent Claims
The patent includes several independent claims that define the scope of the invention. These claims typically outline the core components and processes of the antifungal cream compositions.
- Claim 1: This claim usually describes the broadest aspect of the invention, such as the composition of the antifungal cream, including the active ingredients and any specific formulations.
- Claim 2-5: These claims may narrow down the scope by specifying particular concentrations of ingredients, methods of preparation, or specific applications (e.g., topical use).
Dependent Claims
Dependent claims build upon the independent claims, providing additional details or limitations. For example:
- Claim 6: This might specify a particular method of manufacturing the cream, such as a specific mixing process or temperature control.
- Claim 7: This could detail a specific application method, such as the frequency of application or the duration of treatment.
Scope of the Invention
The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and the detailed description provided in the patent specification.
Active Ingredients
The patent likely specifies the active antifungal agents used in the cream compositions. Common antifungal agents include imidazoles (e.g., clotrimazole), triazoles (e.g., itraconazole), and polyenes (e.g., nystatin)[4].
Manufacturing Procedures
The patent describes the manufacturing procedures for preparing the antifungal cream compositions. This includes steps such as mixing, heating, and cooling, as well as any specific conditions or equipment required.
Applications
The scope also includes the intended use of the antifungal cream compositions, such as the treatment of various fungal skin infections.
Patent Landscape
Prior Art and Related Patents
To understand the patent landscape, it is crucial to identify prior art and related patents. Tools like the USPTO's Patent Public Search and the Common Citation Document (CCD) can help in this regard[1].
- Prior Art: Patents such as U.S. Patent Nos. 4,775,678 and 5,514,698 are relevant, as they describe similar antifungal cream compositions and manufacturing procedures[4].
- Related Patents: Other patents in the same field, such as those related to topical treatments for fungal infections, would be part of the landscape.
International Patent Family
The patent may be part of an international patent family, with corresponding patents filed in other countries. The Global Dossier service provided by the USPTO can help identify related applications from participating IP Offices[1].
Patent Analytics and Claim Coverage
Claim Coverage Matrix
To analyze the patent's claims and scope effectively, a Claim Coverage Matrix can be used. This matrix helps in identifying which patents and claims are actively protecting the intellectual property and where gaps or opportunities exist[5].
Scope Concepts
Categorizing patents by scope concepts, as described by Schwegman’s process, can provide a powerful tool for filtering and analyzing large numbers of patent claims. This method helps in determining whether a particular scope concept is applicable to a target product or method[5].
Economic and Strategic Implications
Patent Scope Measurements
The USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset can provide insights into the scope and claims of the patent. This dataset includes detailed information on claims from US patents and can help in understanding the trends and measurements of patent scope[3].
Market Impact
The patent's scope and claims can significantly impact the market by defining the boundaries of what is protected and what is not. This can influence competition, licensing agreements, and future research and development in the field.
Key Takeaways
- Claims Analysis: Understanding the independent and dependent claims is crucial for defining the scope of the invention.
- Scope of the Invention: The patent specifies the active ingredients, manufacturing procedures, and applications of the antifungal cream compositions.
- Patent Landscape: Identifying prior art, related patents, and international patent families is essential for a comprehensive analysis.
- Patent Analytics: Using tools like Claim Coverage Matrix and scope concepts can help in managing and analyzing the patent claims effectively.
- Economic Implications: The patent's scope and claims have significant economic and strategic implications for market competition and future development.
FAQs
Q1: What is the main subject of United States Patent 5,514,698?
A1: The main subject is antifungal cream compositions and their manufacturing procedures.
Q2: How can one analyze the claims of a patent effectively?
A2: Using a Claim Coverage Matrix and categorizing patents by scope concepts can help in analyzing the claims effectively.
Q3: What tools are available for searching related patents and prior art?
A3: Tools such as the USPTO's Patent Public Search, Global Dossier, and Common Citation Document (CCD) are available.
Q4: Why is understanding the patent landscape important?
A4: Understanding the patent landscape helps in identifying prior art, related patents, and international patent families, which is crucial for strategic and economic decisions.
Q5: How does the USPTO's Patent Claims Research Dataset help in patent analysis?
A5: The dataset provides detailed information on claims from US patents, helping in understanding trends and measurements of patent scope.
Sources
- USPTO - Search for patents https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search
- Unified Patents - US-4912124-A https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/patents/patent/US-4912124-A
- USPTO - Patent Claims Research Dataset https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/economic-research/research-datasets/patent-claims-research-dataset
- Canadian Patents Database - Patent 2381813 Summary https://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2381813/summary.html?wbdisable=true
- SLWIP - Patent Analytics https://www.slwip.com/services/patent-analytics/
