FTIR Spectroscopy for Peritoneal Dialysis Effluent Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing and managing peritoneal dialysis (PD) are inadequate, relying on systemic parameters and laborious peritoneal equilibration tests, which are often too late and costly, and lack effective tools for predicting PD outcomes and monitoring patient status.

Innovation Solution

A method using Fourier-Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to analyze peritoneal dialysis effluent samples, comparing sample spectra to reference spectra to assign clinical parameters, providing a rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective tool for assessing patient status and guiding PD management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If systemic parameters and peritoneal equilibration tests are used for diagnosing and managing peritoneal dialysis patients, then diagnostic information can be obtained, but the methods are laborious, time-consuming, costly, and often provide results too late for effective intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidtime for diagnosis
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual, labor-intensive laboratory analysis methods with automated Fourier-Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FTIR spectrometer automatically measures the effluent sample and performs spectral analysis, eliminating the need for manual peritoneal equilibration tests and routine laboratory assessments, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a spectral fingerprint copy of the PD effluent sample that contains diagnostic information. By measuring the infrared spectrum of the sample and comparing it to reference spectra, the system rapidly identifies clinical parameters without requiring time-consuming physical analysis of the actual sample composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If proteomic analysis and mass spectrometry are used to characterize PD effluent, then broader biological insight is obtained, but the methods are substantially more expensive and time-consuming than clinically applicable diagnostic tests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiological insightVSAvoidcost and time efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the clinically relevant diagnostic information from the PD effluent sample by measuring specific infrared spectral regions that correspond to biomarker concentrations. Instead of performing comprehensive proteomic analysis that characterizes all proteins and metabolites, the FTIR method selectively measures spectral fingerprints that provide sufficient clinical insight for monitoring and management decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from comprehensive proteomic profiling to infrared spectral absorption. This parameter change allows the system to obtain sufficient biological insight for clinical purposes while dramatically reducing both cost and time requirements, as FTIR spectroscopy is faster and more economical than mass spectrometry or proteomic analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If comprehensive biomarker analysis is performed on PD effluent, then predictive capability for PD outcomes is improved, but the complexity and cost of the diagnostic system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepredictive accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the FTIR spectrometer a universal diagnostic tool that can simultaneously measure multiple clinical parameters and biomarker concentrations from a single PD effluent sample. By comparing the sample spectrum to multiple reference spectra representing different clinical conditions, the system provides comprehensive predictive information for PD outcomes without requiring separate tests for each parameter, thereby maintaining high reliability while controlling system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This method allows for accurate prediction of PD-related parameters and immune-related biomarker concentrations, offering a holistic view of the sample composition, enabling better patient monitoring and management with high-throughput analytics at low costs.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a sample spectrum of the analysis sample in a spectral range of from 4000 cm−1 to 400 cm−1 in a spectroscopy step applying Fourier-Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFourier-Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS20220296793A1Method for analyzing a peritoneal dialysis sample
Publication Date: 2022.09.22 VETERINARMEDIZINISCHE UNIV WIEN

AI summary

A method for analyzing a peritoneal dialysis analysis sample comprising the steps of a) providing an analysis sample from a subject, wherein the subject is subjected to peritoneal dialysis and the analysis sample is based on the peritoneal dialysis effluent of said subject, b) measuring a sample spectrum of the analysis sample in a spectral range of from 4000 cm−1 to 400 cm−1 in a spectroscopy step applying Fourier-Transform-Infrared spectroscopy, c) determining, in a comparison step, a similarity value by comparing said sample spectrum to at least one reference spectrum obtained from at least one reference sample by measuring as defined in step b), d) assigning a clinical parameter to the analysis sample based on said similarity value.