Organ-Specific Protein Diagnostic Panel for Early Disease Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic assays are inadequate for early detection of diseases due to their inability to distinguish between normal and disease-specific proteins in blood, as most proteins are not disease-specific and are present in low abundance, making it difficult to identify predictive markers for early-stage disease diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic panel comprising specific detection reagents for organ-specific proteins, selected from provided tables, which measure and compare the levels of these proteins in blood samples to determine a biological state or detect disease-associated fingerprints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If current diagnostic assays are used to detect proteins in blood, then the assays can measure protein levels, but they cannot distinguish between normal and disease-specific proteins due to low abundance and lack of disease specificity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease detection accuracyVSAvoidprotein distinction difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the complex blood protein mixture into organ-specific protein groups (liver, kidney, heart, lung, brain, pancreas, prostate) and detects them individually using organ-specific antibodies. This segmentation allows each protein to be measured separately, enabling distinction between normal and disease-specific proteins that would otherwise be hidden in the complex blood proteome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses organ-specific antibodies as intermediaries to detect and distinguish specific proteins in blood. These antibodies act as mediators that bind selectively to their target proteins, enabling the detection system to differentiate between normal and disease-specific proteins based on organ-specific markers rather than attempting to directly analyze the complex protein mixture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple proteins are present in blood with enormous dynamic range, then comprehensive protein analysis is possible, but low abundance disease markers are hidden or dwarfed by high abundance proteins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotein detection rangeVSAvoidlow abundance protein detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the detection process into organ-specific modules, each targeting a specific organ's proteins. By dividing the complex blood protein analysis into separate organ-specific detection pathways, the system can sensitively detect low abundance disease markers within each organ's protein group without interference from high abundance proteins of other organs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by using organ-specific antibodies with high affinity for their target proteins. Each antibody is optimized to detect its specific target protein or protein family with high sensitivity, allowing low abundance disease markers to be detected against the background of other proteins in the blood.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If current diagnostic assays require significant changes in protein composition to detect disease, then the assays are simpler to perform, but disease detection is delayed until advanced stages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassay simplicityVSAvoiddisease detection timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by establishing a baseline profile of normal organ-specific protein levels in blood before disease develops. By comparing subsequent protein measurements against this pre-established normal profile, the system can detect disease at early stages when only subtle changes occur, rather than waiting for significant protein composition changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses feedback by continuously monitoring organ-specific protein levels and comparing them against established normal ranges. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect deviations from normal protein levels that indicate early-stage disease, enabling timely intervention while maintaining relatively simple assay procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables accurate and early detection of diseases by distinguishing between normal and disease-specific protein levels, allowing for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

using techniques such as immunoassays or mass spectrometry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImmunoassay:

Implementation Method 2

using techniques such as immunoassays or mass spectrometry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass spectrometry:

Data Source

PatentUS8586006B2Organ-specific proteins and methods of their use

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 BIODESIX INC

AI summary

The present invention relates generally to methods for identifying and using organ-specific proteins and transcripts. The present invention further provides compositions comprising organ-specific proteins and transcripts encoding the same, detection reagents for detecting such proteins and transcripts, and diagnostic panels, kits and arrays for measuring organ-specific proteins/transcripts in blood, biological tissue or other biological fluid.