How do treatment or prophylaxis limitations relate to other meaningful limitations?
Treatment or prophylaxis limitations are a specific type of meaningful limitation that can render a claim patent-eligible. These limitations are particularly relevant in medical and biotechnology fields.
MPEP 2106.05(e) notes:
“With respect to treatment or prophylaxis limitations, such as the immunization step in Classen, examiners should note that the other meaningful limitations consideration overlaps with the particular treatment or prophylaxis consideration that is evaluated in Step 2A Prong Two (see MPEP § 2106.04(d)(2)).”
This overlap means that treatment or prophylaxis steps can serve as both meaningful limitations and evidence of integration into a practical application. These limitations are often concrete, specific actions that apply the judicial exception in a meaningful way, transforming abstract ideas or natural phenomena into patent-eligible subject matter.
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