Analyzing the Scope and Claims of United States Patent 6,071,970
Introduction
United States Patent 6,071,970, titled "Compounds active at a novel site on receptor-operated calcium channels useful for treatment of neurological disorders and diseases," is a patent that has significant implications in the field of neurology and pharmaceuticals. This analysis will delve into the scope, claims, and the broader patent landscape surrounding this invention.
Patent Overview
Publication Details
- Publication Number: US6071970A
- Filing Date: The patent was filed on March 22, 1996, as indicated by the application number US08/485,038[4].
- Grant Date: The patent was granted on June 6, 2000.
- Legal Status: The patent has expired, marking the end of its lifetime[4].
Scope of the Invention
The patent describes compounds that are active at a novel site on receptor-operated calcium channels. These compounds are designed for the treatment of various neurological diseases and disorders, including stroke, head trauma, spinal cord injury, and epilepsy.
Key Aspects
- Compounds: The invention involves a class of compounds that interact with receptor-operated calcium channels in a novel manner. These compounds are intended to modulate the activity of these channels, which is crucial in the context of neurological disorders[4].
- Therapeutic Applications: The patent highlights the therapeutic potential of these compounds in treating a range of neurological conditions. This includes their use in reducing the severity of neurological damage and improving patient outcomes[4].
Claims of the Patent
The claims of a patent are critical as they define the scope of the invention and what is protected by the patent.
Independent and Dependent Claims
- Independent Claims: These claims stand alone and define the broadest scope of the invention. For US6071970A, the independent claims would typically describe the novel compounds and their use in treating neurological disorders[4].
- Dependent Claims: These claims are narrower and depend on the independent claims. They often provide additional details or specific embodiments of the invention, such as particular chemical structures or methods of administration.
Claim Structure
The claim structure in a patent like US6071970A would typically follow a hierarchical format, with broader claims at the top and more specific claims below. This structure helps in defining the invention's scope and ensuring that the patent covers all relevant aspects of the invention.
Patent Landscape
Understanding the patent landscape is crucial for assessing the impact and relevance of a patent.
Prior Art
Prior art refers to the existing body of knowledge in the field at the time of the patent application. For US6071970A, prior art would include other patents, publications, and known practices related to receptor-operated calcium channels and neurological treatments. The patent must demonstrate a novel and non-obvious improvement over this prior art to be granted[4].
Global Dossier and International Patent Offices
The Global Dossier service provided by the USPTO allows users to view the file histories of related applications from participating IP Offices. This can help in understanding how similar inventions are treated globally and whether there are corresponding patents in other jurisdictions[1].
Searchable Databases
Utilizing databases such as those provided by the European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) can provide a comprehensive view of the global patent landscape related to neurological treatments and calcium channel modulators[1].
Determining Inventorship
Inventorship is a critical aspect of patent law, and it is defined by the conception and reduction to practice of the invention.
Conception and Reduction to Practice
- Conception: This involves the formation in the mind of the inventor of a definite and permanent idea of the complete and operative invention. For US6071970A, the inventors would have conceived the idea of using specific compounds to modulate receptor-operated calcium channels[2].
- Reduction to Practice: This step involves either building and testing the invention or describing it in sufficient detail so that one with ordinary skill in the field could make and use it without undue experimentation[2].
Economic and Research Implications
The Patent Claims Research Dataset provided by the USPTO can offer insights into the economic and research implications of patents like US6071970A.
Patent Scope Measurements
The dataset includes detailed information on claims from U.S. patents and applications, which can help in analyzing the scope and impact of the patent. This includes measures of patent scope and the dependency relationship between claims[3].
Research Trends
Analyzing the trends in patent scope measurements and the data from the Patent Claims Research Dataset can provide insights into how patents like US6071970A contribute to the broader landscape of neurological research and treatment development[3].
Key Takeaways
- Patent Scope: US6071970A covers compounds active at a novel site on receptor-operated calcium channels, with significant therapeutic potential for neurological disorders.
- Claims Structure: The patent includes independent and dependent claims that define the scope of the invention and its specific embodiments.
- Patent Landscape: Understanding the global patent landscape through tools like Global Dossier and international patent databases is crucial for assessing the patent's impact.
- Inventorship: Correct determination of inventorship is vital, focusing on the conception and reduction to practice of the invention.
- Economic and Research Implications: The patent contributes to the advancement of neurological treatments and can be analyzed through datasets like the Patent Claims Research Dataset.
FAQs
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What is the main subject of US Patent 6,071,970?
- The main subject is compounds active at a novel site on receptor-operated calcium channels, useful for treating neurological disorders and diseases.
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How do you determine the inventorship for a patent like US6071970A?
- Inventorship is determined by identifying who conceived the idea of the invention and reduced it to practice, focusing on the conception step as defined by patent law[2].
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What tools can be used to search for similar patents globally?
- Tools like the Global Dossier, European Patent Office's esp@cenet, Japan Patent Office's database, and WIPO's PATENTSCOPE can be used to search for similar patents globally[1].
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Why is the Patent Claims Research Dataset important for analyzing patents?
- The dataset provides detailed information on claims, claim-level statistics, and document-level statistics, helping in analyzing the scope and impact of patents[3].
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What happens when a patent like US6071970A expires?
- When a patent expires, the invention enters the public domain, and anyone can use, make, and sell the invention without needing permission from the original patent holder[4].
