The U.S. Patent Office has created a cross-reference digest designed to improve the ability to search and examine nanotech-related patents.

The office said in a written release that the digest seeks to guide the search for prior art, serve as a collection of issued U.S. patents and published pre-grant patent applications, and help develop an expanded cross-reference art collection classification schedule. That schedule, ultimately designed to replace the new digest, will include definitions, sub-classes and search notes.