Biomarker Stroke Subtype Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for differentiating between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes are inadequate, particularly in acute phases, due to reliance on neuroimaging techniques that are not universally available and can be error-prone, leading to delayed treatment and potential fatal outcomes when inappropriate therapies are administered.
Innovation Solution
The use of Retinol Binding Protein-4 (RBP4) and N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) as biomarkers to differentiate between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in an isolated sample, allowing for accurate classification and selection of appropriate therapies, including reperfusion therapy or blood pressure optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If neuroimaging techniques (CT or MRI) are used to differentiate stroke subtypes, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but treatment time is delayed due to patient transfer and equipment availability constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diagnostic function from complex neuroimaging equipment (CT/MRI) and transfers it to a simple point-of-care test device that measures biomarker levels (GFAP, RBP4, NT-proBNP) directly at the patient's location, eliminating the need for patient transfer and equipment availability constraints while maintaining diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces biomarkers (GFAP, RBP4, NT-proBNP) as intermediary substances that mediate the diagnostic process between the patient's condition and the test result, allowing accurate stroke subtype differentiation through simple blood or CSF sample analysis without requiring complex imaging equipment
2Measurement precision
If neuroimaging techniques are used for stroke diagnosis, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable point-of-care test devices that perform biomarker measurements in a single use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, and durable neuroimaging equipment while achieving equivalent diagnostic accuracy through simple biomarker detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical and complex electromagnetic systems of CT/MRI imaging with a simple biochemical assay system that measures biomarker concentrations, substituting complex physical imaging mechanisms with straightforward chemical detection methods
3Loss of time
If rapid biomarker testing is implemented, then treatment time is reduced, but diagnostic precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures biomarker levels (GFAP, RBP4, NT-proBNP) immediately upon patient arrival at the point of care, performing the diagnostic action preliminarily and rapidly without waiting for imaging studies, thereby reducing treatment time while maintaining precision through the use of highly specific biomarkers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for selecting a patient suffering stroke for a reperfusion therapy based on determining the level of retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) and N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in an isolated sample of said patient. The invention also relates to a method of differentiating ischemic stroke from haemorrhagic stroke and to kits comprising reagents to carry out the methods.