Trademark Class 10: How to Protect Medical Devices and Equipment

In the highly regulated world of medical devices and healthcare equipment, protecting your brand is essential. If your company manufactures surgical tools, diagnostic apparatus, or prosthetic devices, understanding International Trademark Class 10 is critical for securing strong trademark rights and maintaining market credibility.

Let’s explore what Class 10 covers, review real-world brand protection strategies, and discuss how to approach filing trademarks for medical goods and equipment.

What Is International Trademark Class 10?

International Trademark Class 10 is part of the Nice Classification system, the international framework for organizing goods and services in trademark applications.

Class 10 includes:

• Surgical, medical, dental, and veterinary apparatus and instruments
• Artificial limbs, eyes, and teeth
• Orthopedic articles (e.g., braces, prosthetic joints)
• Suture materials
• Diagnostic apparatus for medical use
• Therapeutic and assistive devices for people with disabilities
• Medical imaging equipment (e.g., ultrasound and MRI machines)

Physical medical devices fall under Class 10. However, if your product is purely a software platform (like a diagnostic app), you may also need to file under Class 9 or Class 42 depending on the delivery method.

For a full overview of trademark classifications, visit our International Trademark Classes Guide.

Why Proper Classification Matters for Medical Device Brands

Medical products impact public health, so trademark applications in Class 10 face heightened scrutiny. Misclassification or vague descriptions can not only delay registration but also jeopardize your ability to enforce your trademark rights effectively.

Medtronic, Inc. provides a strong example of Class 10 brand protection. By filing precise trademarks covering medical devices such as pacemakers and insulin pumps, Medtronic has aggressively defended its brand against confusingly similar products.

Stryker Corporation likewise secures and enforces Class 10 registrations for orthopedic devices and surgical instruments, ensuring competitors cannot infringe upon its brand identity.

At Harrigan IP, we help medical device companies craft tailored filing strategies to ensure broad and enforceable protection. Learn more about our trademark registration services.

Real-World Examples: Class 10 in Action

Major companies relying on Class 10 trademarks include:

• Medtronic, Inc.: Surgical devices, therapeutic implants, diagnostic equipment.
• Stryker Corporation: Orthopedic implants, surgical tools, hospital equipment.
• Zimmer Biomet Holdings: Prosthetics and orthopedic supports.
• Boston Scientific Corporation: Cardiovascular medical devices.
• Siemens Healthineers: Imaging and diagnostic medical equipment.

For these companies, Class 10 trademark protection is a critical part of brand security and regulatory compliance.

How to Draft Goods Descriptions Correctly

The USPTO demands specificity when examining Class 10 filings. Generic phrases like “medical equipment” often trigger Office Actions requiring clarification.

Good examples of acceptable descriptions include:

• “Surgical scalpels”
• “Orthopedic braces for joints”
• “Prosthetic limbs”
• “Diagnostic ultrasound machines”

For detailed examples of acceptable goods descriptions, refer to the USPTO Trademark ID Manual.

When Filing in Multiple Classes Is Necessary

Many modern medical products blend physical devices with digital components. In these cases, filing across multiple classes ensures full brand protection:

• Medical devices (Class 10) + downloadable software apps (Class 9)
• Medical hardware (Class 10) + SaaS health monitoring platforms (Class 42)

Strategically filing in multiple classes can safeguard the full scope of your brand offering. Learn more about trademark clearance and multi-class filings.

Conclusion: Protect Your Medical Device and Equipment Brand with Confidence

International Trademark Class 10 plays a vital role in protecting companies that manufacture surgical instruments, orthopedic implants, diagnostic machines, and other healthcare-related devices. Filing correctly—and crafting precise goods descriptions—lays the foundation for strong brand protection in the medical marketplace.

Key takeaways:

• Class 10 covers physical medical, dental, surgical, and veterinary devices.
• Goods descriptions must be highly specific to avoid USPTO rejections.
• Hybrid devices may require protection across multiple classes.

Ready to protect your medical device brand? Contact Harrigan IP today to discuss your trademark strategy, or start your trademark application online.

Want to learn more? Explore our articles on what a trademark is, why trademark clearance matters, and our flat-fee trademark services.