Retinal Amyloid-Beta Imaging for Non-Invasive TBI Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic methods for traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly mild TBI, are subjective and invasive, leading to underdiagnosis and lack of objective, non-invasive tools for timely detection, which is crucial for preventing long-term neurological damage.

Innovation Solution

A non-invasive fluorescent diagnostic probe is used to detect misfolded amyloid-beta protein in the retina through retinal imaging, enabling quick and reliable diagnosis of TBI using a portable imaging device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If invasive procedures such as intracranial pressure monitoring and MRI are used for TBI diagnosis, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but patient discomfort and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic reliabilityVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical procedures (intracranial pressure monitoring, MRI) with a non-invasive optical imaging system that uses fluorescent probes and retinal imaging to detect TBI biomarkers, thereby maintaining diagnostic reliability while eliminating patient discomfort associated with invasive procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces retinal imaging as an intermediary diagnostic approach, using the retina as a window to detect systemic TBI markers through fluorescent probes, rather than directly invading the brain or using complex imaging equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If self-report tests are used for TBI diagnosis, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to subjectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of diagnosisVSAvoiddiagnostic accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective self-report tests with an objective optical imaging system that detects fluorescent signals from TBI-specific biomarkers in the retina, maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision through quantitative optical detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes fluorescent color changes in the retina as objective indicators of TBI, where specific fluorescent probes bind to TBI biomarkers and emit characteristic colors or wavelengths that can be detected and quantified by imaging devices, replacing subjective self-reports with objective visual signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Measurement precision

If computerized tomography is used for TBI diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddiagnostic equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the diagnostic function from complex imaging equipment like CT scanners and concentrates it into a simpler retinal imaging system using fluorescent probes, maintaining detection capability while significantly reducing device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent shifts the diagnostic dimension from direct brain imaging (requiring complex equipment) to retinal imaging, using the retina as an accessible window to detect systemic TBI markers through simpler optical imaging technology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If retinal imaging with fluorescent probes is used for TBI diagnosis, then ease of operation and non-invasiveness are improved, but diagnostic precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of administrationVSAvoiddiagnostic precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes parameters including probe concentration, excitation wavelength, and imaging timing to ensure that the simplified retinal imaging approach maintains diagnostic precision comparable to or exceeding traditional methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses fluorescent probes that specifically bind to and copy the presence of TBI biomarkers in the retina, creating a detectable optical signal that accurately represents the underlying pathological state without requiring direct observation of brain tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Provides a rapid, objective, and non-invasive method for detecting TBI, reducing the risk of permanent brain damage by identifying amyloid-beta accumulation in the retina, facilitating early intervention.

Implementation Method 1

A non-invasive fluorescent diagnostic probe is used to detect misfolded amyloid-beta protein in the retina through retinal imaging

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS12478693B2Compositions and methods for detection of traumatic brain injury

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 AMYDIS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for determining whether a patient suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) by detecting the presence of an amyloid beta protein in an eye of the patient. Also provided are compositions and methods for preparing a patient for diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TB).