Sputum Glucose Detection for Lung Inflammation Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting lung inflammation, particularly in COVID-19 patients, are cumbersome, expensive, and not always necessary, as they rely on chest CT-scans which are not feasible in all settings and can have side effects, necessitating a rapid, simple, and cost-effective alternative.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the measurement of glucose levels in sputum samples using spectrophotometry to detect lung inflammation by comparing the measured glucose levels with established threshold concentrations, allowing for the prescription of anti-inflammatory medications based on the detected status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chest CT-scan imaging is used to detect lung inflammation, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the diagnostic function from the complex CT-scan system and concentrates it into a simple glucose measurement test. By measuring glucose levels in sputum samples, the invention isolates the key diagnostic information needed to detect lung inflammation, eliminating the need for complex imaging equipment while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex CT-scan equipment with inexpensive, disposable test kits that can be used in resource-limited settings. The glucose measurement test uses simple reagents and equipment that are far cheaper and more portable than medical imaging devices, enabling widespread deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If chest CT-scan imaging is used to detect lung inflammation, then detection precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddiagnostic time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary glucose measurement on sputum samples that are already collected during patient evaluation. This preliminary action allows for rapid diagnosis before CT-scan imaging is needed, enabling early intervention and reducing the overall diagnostic timeline while maintaining precision through established threshold criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If chest CT-scan imaging is used to detect lung inflammation, then detection accuracy is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidside effects on patients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potentially harmful radiation exposure from CT-scans into a beneficial, radiation-free alternative. By using glucose measurement in sputum samples, the patent achieves detection accuracy comparable to CT-scans without subjecting patients to ionizing radiation, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while preserving diagnostic reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If CT-scan imaging is used for diagnosis, then detection capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidease of diagnosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service diagnosis through simple glucose measurement tests that can be performed by healthcare workers without requiring specialized radiology equipment or expertise. The test kit includes all necessary reagents and instructions, allowing point-of-care diagnosis that is far easier to operate than CT-scan imaging while maintaining adequate detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach provides a fast, reliable, and cost-effective means to diagnose lung inflammation without the need for CT-scans, enabling early detection and appropriate treatment of COVID-19-related lung infections with high sensitivity and specificity.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a level of glucose in the sputum sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpectrophotometry: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentUS20240298934A1Detection of lung inflammation based on glucose level in sputum sample

Publication Date: 2024.09.12 NANO HESGARSAZAN SALAMAT ARYA

AI summary

A method for detecting and treating lung inflammation. The method includes acquiring a sputum sample from a person suspected to have a lung inflammation, measuring a level of glucose in the sputum sample, detecting lung inflammation status of the person based on the measured level of glucose, and treating the person with a detected lung inflammation by prescribing anti-inflammatory medications to the person based on a clinician's advice. Detecting the lung inflammation status of the person includes detecting no lung inflammation if the measured level of glucose is less than a minimum threshold glucose concentration, or detecting a lung inflammation if the measured level of glucose is equal to or more than a maximum threshold glucose concentration, or detecting a probable lung inflammation if the measured level of glucose is between the minimum threshold glucose concentration and the maximum threshold glucose concentration.