T 1197/02 () of 12.7.2006

European Case Law Identifier: ECLI:EP:BA:2006:T119702.20060712
Date of decision: 12 July 2006
Case number: T 1197/02
Application number: 95917232.1
IPC class: A61B 3/024
Language of proceedings: EN
Distribution: B
Download and more information:
Decision text in EN (PDF, 69 KB)
Documentation of the appeal procedure can be found in the Register
Bibliographic information is available in: EN
Versions: Unpublished
Title of application: Method and apparatus for early detection of glaucoma
Applicant name: THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Opponent name: -
Board: 3.2.02
Headnote: -
Relevant legal provisions:
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 84
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 52(4)
European Patent Convention 1973 Art 123(2)
Keywords: Diagnostic method (yes)
Apparatus formally acceptable (after amendments)
Catchwords:

In a claim concerning a diagnostic method, only the steps strictly describing the examination phase involving the collection of data, the comparison of these data with standard values, the finding of any significant deviation and the attribution to a clinical picture have to be taken into account for determining the diagnostic character of the claimed method.

Additional, intermediate, preparatory steps which may be introduced into the claimed method are irrelevant when assessing the diagnostic character of the method. It is therefore not necessary that these additional steps which are of a technical nature or are using technical means, fulfil the criterion "practised on the human or animal body" (see point 2.2).

Cited decisions:
G 0001/04
Citing decisions:
T 0143/04
T 1016/10

5 references found.

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EPO Guidelines - G Patentability

Case Law Book: I Patentability

Case Law of the Enlarged Board

General Case Law