title: Trends in nanotechnology patents applied to the health sector.
abstract: The aim of the article is to present a method for identifying trends in patent applications for nanotechnology applied to the health sector around the world, based on the International Patent Classification. This classification divides the sector into: dental care, drugs, diagnostic kits, and medical apparatus & medical care. The Derwent database was mined for patent documents using nanotechnology terms associated with the IPC subclasses from the health subsectors. The number of patents was found to be rising, led by the United States, particularly universities and R centers. In the dental care subsector, nanotechnology was found to be used in composite material for manufacturing dental appliances. In drugs, the focus is on the use of nanoparticulate compositions comprising agents that are useful for a variety of diseases. In diagnostic kits, nanostructures have been patented that are capable of detecting target analytes. Meanwhile, in medical apparatus & medical care, patent applications have been made for nanocapsules and/or nanocomposite materials inserted in devices and guide catheters. A study was also made of patents in Brazil, where the same assignees and the same country (United States) as in the survey of global patents were found to be the leading patent applicants / holders.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial, Praça Mauá, nº 7 sala 1011, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. aantunes@inpi.gov.br
authors.forename: Adelaide Maria de Souza
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: Maria Simone de Menezes
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alencar
authors.forename: Cicera Henrique
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Jeziel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Flavia Maria Lins
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mendes
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D003729:Dental Care / Q000639:trends; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D010330:Patents as Topic; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000737:chemistry; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic