Mixed Odorant Compositions for Reliable Olfactory Dysfunction Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing olfactory dysfunction tests are unreliable due to sensitivity variations among individuals and the influence of prior olfactory experiences, leading to misdiagnosis and limited utility across diverse populations.

Innovation Solution

The development of compositions comprising mixtures of 18-30 compounds, used in tests like SMELL-S and SMELL-R, which assess olfactory sensitivity and resolution by iteratively exposing subjects to serial dilutions, averaging out odor-specific insensitivity and minimizing the impact of prior experiences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If monomolecular odorants are used in smell tests, then the test can be simple and easy to administer, but sensitivity variations among individuals lead to unreliable results and misdiagnosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of administering smell testVSAvoidreliability of smell test results

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple monomolecular odorants into a mixture to be used in the smell test. This merging approach averages out the sensitivity variations among individuals for different single odorants, thereby improving the reliability of test results while maintaining ease of administration as a single mixed stimulus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If odor identification tests use familiar odors, then subjects can easily identify them, but prior olfactory experiences influence results and limit utility across diverse populations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest completion efficiencyVSAvoidapplicability across diverse populations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal smell test using odorant mixtures that are not culturally or individually familiar to any specific group. This universal approach allows the test to be applied across diverse populations without being influenced by prior olfactory experiences, while maintaining efficient test completion through clear discrimination tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3648613B1Compositions and methods for a universal clinical test for olfactory dysfunction

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 THE ROCKEFELLER UNIV

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AI summary

Disclosed are compositions and methods for measuring olfactory sensitivity, olfactory resolution, and combinations thereof. Such measurements can be made during a single test, or over consecutive tests, which may be performed during a single testing period, such as in a single day, or over a series of testing periods. The tests may be performed by a health care professional, or may be conveniently self-administered by the user.