Lateral Flow Assay for Dermatophyte Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing dermatophyte infections are inefficient due to complex sampling requirements, poor test sensitivity, and long turnaround times, often leading to unnecessary exposure to antidermatophyte agents and ineffective treatment.

Innovation Solution

The development of lateral flow assays and the use of specific antibodies that differentially bind to dermatophyte organisms, allowing for rapid and accurate detection of dermatophytes in a sample.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If culture methods are used to diagnose dermatophyte infections, then sensitivity of detection is improved, but turnaround time increases significantly (up to 4 weeks)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity of detectionVSAvoidturnaround time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical culture growth process with an immunological detection system using lateral flow assays and PCR-based methods that directly detect dermatophyte antigens or genetic material, eliminating the need for prolonged cultural growth while maintaining high sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary detection of dermatophyte presence using rapid immunological or molecular methods before initiating treatment, allowing for immediate diagnosis without waiting for culture results that would take weeks to develop

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If complex sampling procedures are performed for biological diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidsampling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and detects specific dermatophyte antigens or genetic sequences directly from clinical samples using immunological or molecular methods, eliminating the need for complex culture preparation and isolation procedures while maintaining diagnostic accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses antibodies or nucleic acid probes as intermediaries to specifically bind and detect dermatophyte components in clinical samples, simplifying the diagnostic process by directly detecting the pathogen without requiring complex sample processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If PCR-based assays are used for dermatophyte detection, then sensitivity and speed are improved, but adaptability and ease of operation worsen due to requirement for specific primers and laboratory infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoidclinic applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs lateral flow assay technology that uses antibody-antigen binding reactions to detect dermatophytes, creating a simplified copy of the molecular detection principle that can be performed with basic laboratory equipment rather than requiring complex PCR infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the detection parameters from requiring specific DNA primers and thermal cycling conditions to using antibody-antigen binding at ambient temperature, making the test adaptable for clinical settings with minimal equipment requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If rapid detection methods are implemented, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rapid but potentially less accurate methods with immunological and molecular detection systems that achieve both high sensitivity and rapid results by directly detecting dermatophyte antigens or genetic material without prolonged culture

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

The proposed solution enables rapid, accurate, and differential detection of dermatophyte organisms, reducing the need for invasive sampling and improving treatment efficacy by ensuring targeted therapy.

Implementation Method 1

a conjugate pad comprising one or more detection antibodies comprising an antibody-nanoparticle conjugate that binds to a dermatophyte antigen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntigen-antibody binding:

Implementation Method 2

applying the sample in the sample buffer to a lateral flow assay

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20250180551A1Lateral flow assay for the diagnosis of dermatomycosis

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 BACH DIAGNOSTICS INC

AI summary

Provided are compositions and methods for detecting one or more dermatophyte organisms in a sample using capture antibodies.