Multiphase Polymer Particles for Aldosterone Renin Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing primary aldosteronism are complex and time-consuming, limiting early detection and treatment, particularly in non-specialized medical settings, leading to increased healthcare costs and social impact due to overlooked patients.

Innovation Solution

Development of nano-sized, multiphase polymer fine particles functionalized for aldosterone and renin detection, combined with a chip device for immobilizing capturing reagents, enabling quick and accurate measurement of the aldosterone to renin ratio in biological samples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ELISA or radioimmunoassay methods are used to measure aldosterone and renin concentrations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection system into distinct functional components: multiphase polymer fine particles with specific surface properties for capturing aldosterone and renin, solid phase supports for immobilizing capturing reagents, and labeling substances for detection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall operational procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiphase polymer fine particles exhibit local quality through their distinct surface characteristics - one surface is modified to specifically bind aldosterone while another surface binds renin. This local differentiation enables simultaneous detection of both substances with high precision without requiring complex separate assays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If ELISA or radioimmunoassay methods are used to measure aldosterone and renin concentrations, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection of aldosterone and renin into a single integrated assay system. The multiphase polymer fine particles simultaneously capture both substances, and the detection can be performed in one workflow, eliminating the need for separate ELISA or radioimmunoassay procedures and making the operation easier to perform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multiphase polymer fine particles are designed to self-assemble and self-functionalize with capturing reagents and labeling substances. This self-service capability reduces the complexity of manual operations and makes the assay easier to perform in clinical settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If conventional diagnostic methods are used at limited hospitals by medical specialists, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal diagnostic system that can be operated by non-specialists in various clinical settings. The simplified procedure using multiphase polymer fine particles makes the high-precision measurement accessible to general practitioners and clinics, expanding the reach of accurate primary aldosteronism diagnosis beyond specialized hospitals.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs disposable multiphase polymer fine particles and solid phase supports that can be easily prepared or purchased as ready-to-use kits. This eliminates the need for complex, expensive, and time-consuming conventional assays, enabling high-throughput screening and improving overall diagnostic productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Measurement precision

If specimen forwarding to clinical examination centers is required, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex measurement procedures from centralized clinical examination centers and brings them to local clinics through simplified kits using multiphase polymer fine particles. This allows measurements to be performed on-site, eliminating the time loss associated with specimen transportation and centralized processing while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Facilitates early detection and treatment of primary aldosteronism by providing a sensitive and easy-to-use diagnostic tool for clinics, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

a self-organized precipitation (SORP) method in which, to a solution containing two polymers having different characteristics, a poor solvent in which those polymers are not dissolved is added, and then, the good solvent is evaporated away to replace it with the poor solvent, thereby obtaining a dispersion containing phase-separated, submicron-sized polymer particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase separation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

a second polymer phase has a labeling substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3614146B1Method of detecting aldosterone and renin
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 HAPLOPHARMA
  • EP3614146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3614146B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3614146B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor that can quickly and easily detect primary aldosteronism with a higher accuracy. The present invention provides a method of quickly detecting aldosterone or renin in a sample with high sensitivity, using a multiphase polymer fine particles having at least on a surface thereof two or more polymer phases formed by aggregation of two or more polymers, respectively, wherein aldosterone or renin covalently binds to a first polymer phase, and wherein a second polymer phase has a labeling substance.