Canid Microbiome Profiling Using Four-Taxa Diversity Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inadequate for accurately determining the health of a canid's microbiome, particularly in puppies and senior/geriatric dogs, which are prone to gastrointestinal issues due to undeveloped or deteriorating gut microbiomes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving quantitation and comparison of four or more bacterial species' abundance, detection of at least four bacterial taxa, and calculation of diversity indices to assess microbiome health, with specific bacterial taxa and indices indicating healthy or unhealthy states, and the option to adjust microbiome composition through dietary changes or supplements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing monitoring methods are used, then the process is simple, but the accuracy of determining microbiome health is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The method segments the microbiome assessment into distinct measurable components: detection of specific bacterial taxa (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Streptococcus) and calculation of diversity indices. By breaking down the complex microbiome into identifiable segments, the patent achieves accurate health determination without requiring overly complex monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by monitoring specific quantitative parameters (abundance of bacterial taxa, diversity indices) rather than using complex qualitative assessments. This approach enables accurate health determination through measurable parameters while maintaining methodological simplicity.
2Reliability
If comprehensive microbiome monitoring is implemented, then the accuracy of health assessment improves, but the complexity of the monitoring process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method extracts and focuses on specific key bacterial taxa and diversity indices that are most indicative of microbiome health, rather than requiring comprehensive analysis of all microbial components. This extraction approach maintains high reliability for health assessment while reducing the complexity of the monitoring process.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring method serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects specific bacterial taxa, calculates diversity indices, determines health status, and can track changes over time. This multi-functionality achieves reliable health assessment without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single integrated method performs multiple tasks.
3Measurement precision
If bacterial abundance quantitation is performed, then the diagnostic accuracy improves, but the time required for analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary identification and quantitation of specific bacterial taxa and diversity indices before making health determinations. By preparing and analyzing these key parameters in advance, the system achieves high diagnostic accuracy while minimizing the time required for final health assessment, as the foundational data is already prepared.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for assessing a canid's microbiome health are provided. The methods include, inter alia, detecting at least four bacterial taxa in a sample obtained from the canid.