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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).
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