Universal Olfactory Testing with Odorant Ensembles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smell tests are unreliable due to variability in sensitivity to monomolecular odorants and influence of prior olfactory experiences, leading to misdiagnosis and cultural biases.
Innovation Solution
Development of compositions and methods using ensembles of odorants in serial dilutions for assessing olfactory sensitivity (SMELL-S) and resolution (SMELL-R), which are self-administered and minimize odor-specific insensitivity and cultural biases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If monomolecular odorants are used in smell tests, then the test can be simple and easy to administer, but the test reliability deteriorates due to great variability in sensitivity among subjects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monomolecular odorants into an ensemble mixture to assess olfactory function. By presenting a blend of odorants rather than single compounds, the test captures overall olfactory sensitivity while reducing the impact of subject-specific variations in responding to individual odorants, thereby improving test reliability while maintaining ease of administration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameter from single odorants to ensembles of odorants. This parameter change transforms the test stimulus from a simple monomolecular compound to a complex mixture, which improves the reliability of olfactory assessment by accounting for variability in individual odorant sensitivity across different subjects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If odor identification tests use familiar odors, then the test can be culturally adapted, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to influence of prior olfactory experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the semantic identification component from the olfactory test and replaces it with a detection task using unfamiliar odorant ensembles. By removing the cultural knowledge requirement (odor identification) and focusing purely on detection capability, the test achieves cultural universality while maintaining precise measurement of olfactory function independent of prior experiences.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using familiar odors and asking subjects to identify them (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using unfamiliar odors and asking subjects to detect their presence. This inversion eliminates the confounding effect of prior olfactory experiences while maintaining cultural adaptability, as detection is a universal sensory capability.
Data Source
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.