Olfactometer System for Neurodegenerative Disease Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, are plagued by subjective evaluation criteria and limited sensitivity in the preclinical phase, making early diagnosis challenging and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An olfactometer system that administers odor memory, identification, and discrimination tests, calculating predicted scores and confidence intervals to identify individuals at risk for neurodegenerative diseases, providing a non-invasive and cost-effective means for early detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current diagnostic methods (imaging techniques, field tests) are used to detect neurodegenerative diseases, then diagnosis can be made, but the detection lacks sensitivity in the preclinical phase and relies on subjective evaluation criteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an olfactory test as an intermediary screening tool that objectively measures odor identification and memory capabilities. This intermediary test provides quantifiable data that bridges the gap between subjective clinical assessment and definitive diagnostic imaging, enabling early detection in the preclinical phase while maintaining diagnostic reliability through standardized scoring and confidence interval calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces subjective mechanical evaluation (clinical field tests, motor skill assessments) with an automated olfactory testing system that uses computerized presentation of odor stimuli and automated scoring. This substitution eliminates rater bias and provides consistent, objective measurements of olfactory function, improving both detection sensitivity and reliability.
2Loss of time
If early detection methods are implemented, then the prognosis and quality of life are improved, but the certainty of diagnosis is reduced due to limited sensitivity in preclinical phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary olfactory screening before clinical symptoms manifest, allowing identification of individuals at risk for neurodegenerative diseases in the preclinical phase. By performing this preliminary assessment, the system enables early intervention and monitoring while the disease is still treatable, reducing the time to diagnosis without sacrificing certainty through the use of validated odor recognition and memory tests with established confidence intervals.
3Measurement precision
If olfactory tests are used for screening, then early detection sensitivity is improved, but specificity is reduced due to other reasons for olfactory deficit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the olfactory assessment into distinct components: odor identification capability and odor memory function. By separating these functions and evaluating them independently with different test protocols, the system can identify patterns specific to neurodegenerative diseases versus other causes of olfactory deficit, thereby improving specificity while maintaining the sensitivity benefits of early olfactory screening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates confidence interval calculations and normative data comparison that provide feedback on the likelihood of neurodegenerative disease versus other causes of olfactory impairment. This feedback mechanism allows clinicians to interpret test results in context, improving the specificity of the screening by distinguishing between different etiologies of olfactory deficit based on test performance patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present invention provide for an olfactometer for delivering one or more odors and one or more computing devices configured to: receive user input for an odor memory test and an odor discrimination test; calculate a score for the odor memory test and the odor discrimination test; calculate a first and second confidence interval threshold and a second confidence interval threshold for a first and second predicted odor memory score respectively, based on a relationship between, respectively, the odor memory test score and odor discrimination test score, and previously-entered performance data queried from the database; and responsive to the score for the odor memory test not being greater than the first confidence interval threshold and the score for the odor discrimination test not being greater than the second confidence interval threshold, generate a report identifying a user as high risk for a neurodegenerative disease.