Diagnostic Chewing Gum for Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying pathogens in the mouth cavity and adjacent tissues are complex and require advanced instrumentation, making them unsuitable for immediate or self-monitoring applications.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic chewing gum with embedded or attached particles that change detectably upon contact with pathogen-specific markers, allowing for the identification of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi through the human senses, specifically the taste system, without the need for additional analytical tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If advanced instrumentation and specialized center systems are used for pathogen identification, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pathogen detection function from complex centralized laboratory systems and embeds it into a simple chewing gum device. The gum contains specific elements that interact with pathogen markers directly in the oral cavity, eliminating the need for complex instrumentation while maintaining detection capability through direct sensory feedback to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The chewing gum enables self-monitoring of pathogen presence without requiring specialized personnel or equipment. The user simply chews the gum and perceives changes through sensory systems (taste, smell, texture), allowing autonomous pathogen detection and eliminating dependency on complex external analytical systems.
2Measurement precision
If advanced instrumentation is used for pathogen analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and electronic analytical instruments with human sensory systems. The chewing gum translates pathogen presence into sensory perceptions (taste changes, odor, texture modifications), allowing the user's biological sensing apparatus to perform the measurement function that would otherwise require sophisticated equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The chewing gum serves multiple functions: it acts as a diagnostic tool for pathogen detection, a therapeutic agent for oral health, and a convenient delivery system. This multi-functionality integrates complex detection capabilities into a universally usable format that requires no special training or equipment.
3Reliability
If complex analytical systems are deployed, then reliability of pathogen identification is improved, but loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The chewing gum performs pathogen detection in advance, enabling early identification before symptoms develop or before clinical consultation. By continuously monitoring during chewing, the system provides immediate feedback that allows preemptive action, eliminating the time delay associated with sending samples to specialized laboratories for analysis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables patient self-monitoring for pathogen presence, facilitating early detection and potential intervention, shifting point-of-care diagnosis to self-monitoring and enabling pre-emptive, non-invasive treatment strategies.
Implementation Method 1
Said element generates the change upon direct or indirect contact with a marker which is released by said pathogens
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a diagnostic chewing gum for identifying the presence of pathogens detectable via the mouth, in particular pathogens residing in nasal, oropharyngeal, laryngeal, oesophageal, ocular and/or pulmonal tissue of a user, more particularly pathogens selected from among a virus, bacterium, protozoa, prion, fungus or a combination thereof. The inventive diagnostic chewing gum includes a base material or particles (3) embedded and/or attached to the base material and an element (1, 5-7), like e.g. a releasable flavor molecule, attached to the base material and/or the particles, for the generation of a change in the chewing gum directly detectable by the user, wherein the element (1, 5-7) generates the change upon direct or indirect contact with a marker (4) which is released by the pathogens, or, in case of a virus or prion, by the cellular structure hosting it.