IBS Microbiota Response Prediction for Diet and FMT Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are ineffective for many patients due to the idiopathic nature of the condition, and there is no method to predict which patients will respond to interventions like dietary changes or faecal microbiota transplant (FMT).

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic method that analyzes the abundance of specific bacterial taxonomic groups in faecal samples to predict the likelihood of a positive response to IBS intervention diets or FMT by comparing the amounts with reference values or median cut-off values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing treatments for IBS are applied to all patients, then treatment coverage is maximized, but treatment effectiveness is reduced due to inability to predict responder status

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoiddiagnostic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing bacterial abundance analysis on GI tract samples before initiating IBS treatment. This allows identification of patients likely to respond to dietary interventions or FMT in advance, ensuring treatment is only administered to predicted responders, thereby improving treatment effectiveness while maintaining a relatively simple diagnostic approach using established nucleic acid analysis techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If bacterial abundance analysis is performed to predict treatment response, then treatment precision is improved, but diagnostic complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse prediction accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by focusing analysis on specific bacterial taxonomic groups (such as Bacteroides, Firmicutes, and their ratios) rather than attempting to analyze the entire microbiome. This targeted approach extracts the most predictive bacterial markers from complex GI tract samples, achieving accurate response prediction while keeping the diagnostic method manageable through established nucleic acid analysis and hybridisation techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If invasive tests are used to diagnose IBS and rule out alternative causes, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient discomfort and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIBS diagnosis accuracyVSAvoidpatient comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing invasive mechanical diagnostic procedures (endoscopy, colonoscopy) with in vitro nucleic acid analysis of GI tract samples. This substitution maintains diagnostic accuracy for identifying IBS patients with specific bacterial profiles while eliminating the discomfort and procedural complexity of invasive tests, as the analysis can be performed on stool or other non-invasively collected samples.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 the identification of IBS patients likely to respond to treatment, allowing for personalized and effective interventions, such as a low FODMAP diet or FMT, by determining bacterial dysbiosis patterns.

Implementation Method 1

The method of the present invention is therefore based on analysing the abundance of certain bacteria in GI tract samples, e.g. by nucleic acid analysis including nucleic acid sequence techniques or oligonucleotide probe hybridisation-based techniques.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNucleic acid analysis:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOligonucleotide probe hybridisation:

Data Source

PatentUS12596121B2Companion diagnostic method for use in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with dietary interventions or faecal microbiota transplant

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 GENETIC ANALYSIS

AI summary

The present invention provides a diagnostic method which may be used to determine the likelihood that a subject with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) will respond to treatment with an IBS intervention diet. In particular, the method may be used to predict, or determine the likelihood of, a positive response of the subject with IBS to treatment with an IBS intervention diet, especially to determine the likelihood that the dietary intervention may have a positive (i.e. beneficial) effect on the subject's GI tract, specifically the GI tract microbiota, or other symptoms or complications of IBS (e.g. reducing severity thereof). The method of the present invention is based on analysing the abundance of certain bacteria in GI tract samples, e.g. by nucleic acid analysis.