Biomarker-Based Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for multiple sclerosis are inefficient and often take months or years to provide a conclusive diagnosis, due to the disease's variable progression and unpredictable symptoms, making early intervention challenging.

Innovation Solution

Identification of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid using advanced proteomic analysis and software programs like Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to diagnose multiple sclerosis and monitor disease progression, allowing for early intervention and appropriate therapeutic targeting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional diagnostic methods (MRI, CSF examination, evoked response testing) are used for multiple sclerosis diagnosis, then diagnostic coverage is comprehensive, but diagnosis time is extended to months or years

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddiagnosis duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and focuses on specific biomarkers (14-3-3 protein, neurofilament light chain, tau protein) from the complex CSF proteome to create a targeted diagnostic assay. This extraction approach allows rapid detection of disease-specific markers without requiring comprehensive full-proteome analysis, thereby reducing diagnosis time while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary identification and validation of specific biomarker signatures that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis. By establishing these predetermined biomarker profiles before clinical application, the diagnostic system can rapidly compare patient samples against known patterns, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis without lengthy investigative processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If comprehensive proteome analysis is performed on CSF, then multiple proteins can be identified simultaneously, but diagnostic specificity for multiple sclerosis is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of proteins detectedVSAvoiddisease diagnostic specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by focusing detection efforts on specific biomarkers (14-3-3 protein, neurofilament light chain, tau protein) that have been identified as having high diagnostic value for multiple sclerosis. Rather than treating all proteins equally, the assay optimizes sensitivity and specificity for these particular markers, enabling accurate disease diagnosis without requiring comprehensive proteome coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial action by detecting only the most diagnostically relevant biomarkers rather than performing exhaustive proteome analysis. This selective approach to biomarker detection achieves sufficient diagnostic information with reduced analytical complexity, avoiding the need to identify and analyze all proteins in CSF

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If variable and unpredictable symptoms of multiple sclerosis are monitored using traditional methods, then all clinical presentations can be captured, but early diagnosis is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of clinical presentationsVSAvoidspeed of diagnosis
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification and validation of specific biomarker signatures that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis. By establishing these predetermined biomarker profiles before clinical application, the diagnostic system can rapidly compare patient samples against known patterns, enabling fast and accurate diagnosis without lengthy investigative processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of progressive clinical evaluation and repeated testing with a direct biochemical detection system. By using laboratory-based biomarker assays on CSF samples, the diagnosis can be obtained rapidly without requiring prolonged clinical observation and multiple follow-up visits

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

Data Source

PatentEP2569446B1Diagnostic markers for neuropsychiatric diseasen
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 SCHUTZER STEVEN E
  • EP2569446B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Biomarkers for the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric diseases are presented herein. In particular embodiments, biomarkers are identified that are useful for diagnosing multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or Neurologic Lyme disease. Also encompassed is a method for diagnosing a patient with a neuropsychiatric disease, such as multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or Neurologic Lyme disease, by analyzing biological samples isolated from the patient or the patient as a whole to assess levels of the biomarkers described herein.