Raman Spectroscopy Blood Analysis for Colorectal Cancer Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting colorectal cancer are invasive, have low patient acceptance, and often result in late-stage diagnoses, as they require faecal sample testing followed by colonoscopy, which is costly and risky, with only 10% of patients having cancer among those undergoing the procedure.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive method using laser spectroscopy, specifically Raman spectroscopy, to analyze blood or blood derivatives for unique spectral signatures indicative of colorectal cancer, allowing for early detection and monitoring without the need for invasive tests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current screening methods (faecal sample testing followed by colonoscopy) are used, then cancer detection capability is achieved, but patient acceptance is poor and procedures are invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer detection capabilityVSAvoidpatient acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/invasive colonoscopy procedure with a non-invasive blood-based Raman spectroscopy system. The spectroscopic device analyzes blood samples to detect cancer biomarkers, eliminating the need for invasive mechanical insertion into the colon while maintaining cancer detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces blood as an intermediary medium for cancer detection. Instead of directly examining the colon through colonoscopy, the system uses blood samples containing cancer-related biomarkers as an intermediate indicator, making the diagnostic process non-invasive while still reliable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If colonoscopy is performed to confirm cancer presence, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but procedural risks and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidprocedural risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary cancer screening using Raman spectroscopy on blood samples before committing patients to invasive colonoscopy procedures. This preliminary action identifies high-risk patients who need further investigation, reducing the number of patients exposed to colonoscopy risks while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for those who truly need it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a non-invasive copy or surrogate test using Raman spectroscopy that replicates the diagnostic information obtained from colonoscopy. By analyzing blood biomarkers through spectroscopy, the system obtains diagnostic data without performing the invasive procedure, thereby maintaining accuracy while eliminating procedural risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If invasive testing procedures are used, then cancer detection is achieved, but treatment delays occur due to procedure complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecancer detectionVSAvoidtreatment delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming invasive colonoscopy procedure with rapid Raman spectroscopy analysis of blood samples. The spectroscopic measurement provides cancer detection results much faster than the multi-hour colonoscopy procedure, reducing treatment delays while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11280738B2Method and apparatus for use in diagnosis and monitoring of colorectal cancer

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 CANSENSE GRP LTD

AI summary

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the early detection and monitoring of colorectal cancer via the sampling of a patient's blood.