Tear Sample Salt Composition for Alzheimer's Pattern Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for neurocognitive disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease, are costly, invasive, and lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity, with existing tear sample analyses being unsuitable for differential diagnosis due to high individual variability and inadequate consideration of molecular interactions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation and analysis of tear samples using a specific combination of Au3+, Zn2+, and Ag+ salts to normalize protein concentration, forming a homogeneous pattern suitable for differential diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders by creating unique protein precipitates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current diagnostic methods (lumbar puncture, PET examination, brain imaging) are used, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but patient discomfort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces tear fluid as an intermediary diagnostic medium that reflects brain pathology without requiring direct brain invasion. Tear samples contain proteins and metabolites that mirror cerebral changes, allowing indirect but accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease through non-invasive sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic method creates a copy of brain pathology information through tear fluid analysis. By examining protein patterns, metabolite concentrations, and cellular debris in tears, the system reproduces diagnostic information that would otherwise require direct brain examination or imaging.
2Measurement precision
If current diagnostic methods (lumbar puncture, PET examination) are used, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but examination cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, disposable tear samples as diagnostic material. Instead of costly reusable imaging equipment or complex laboratory procedures, the method uses readily available tear fluid that can be collected, analyzed, and discarded, dramatically reducing per-test costs while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If tear samples are analyzed directly, then non-invasive sampling is achieved, but diagnostic reliability decreases due to high individual variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms tear samples through controlled chemical and physical parameter changes. By adjusting pH, temperature, and adding specific reagents, the method standardizes protein precipitation patterns and metabolite crystallization, converting highly variable raw tear samples into consistent, comparable diagnostic patterns that reliably indicate Alzheimer's pathology.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic method exploits phase transitions of proteins and metabolites in tear samples. By controlling temperature changes and chemical conditions, proteins precipitate and metabolites crystallize in characteristic patterns that are visually distinguishable and diagnostically reliable, transforming liquid tear samples into solid diagnostic patterns.
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
The method achieves high specificity and sensitivity in predicting, diagnosing, and monitoring neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, through the formation of distinct stagograms that differentiate between healthy individuals and patients with AD spectrum disorders, providing a non-invasive and cost-effective diagnostic tool.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-component solution comprising AuCl3, Zn2+, and Ag+ ions is used to treat tear samples, normalizing protein concentration and forming a homogeneous pattern
Implementation Method 2
forming a homogeneous pattern that differentiates between healthy individuals and those with neurocognitive disorders, enabling diagnostic, predictive, and monitoring capabilities through the analysis of dried tear samples
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an aqueous solution of AuCl3×2H2O or HAuCl4×4H2O, ZnCl2 or ZnSO4, and AgNO3 having an Au3+ concentration of 0.8 mM-1.6 mM, a Zn2+ concentration of 15 μM-50 μM, and an Ag+ concentration of 5 μM-50 μM. The invention extends to a kit comprising a solution of the invention, a method of preparing said solution, and the use of a solution of the invention, a solution prepared by a method of the invention, or a kit of the invention in predicting and/or diagnosing and/or monitoring a neurocognitive disorder of the Alzheimer's disease spectrum. The invention extends to a method for predicting and/or diagnosing and/or monitoring a neurocognitive disorder of the Alzheimer's disease spectrum in a patient comprising contacting a tear sample from the patient normalised for protein concentration with a solution of the invention; applying an amount of the tear sample thus obtained to a surface; allowing the tear sample to dry; and drawing a conclusion based on the pattern of the thus obtained dried tear sample, whether the patient is at risk of or suffers from a neurocognitive disorder of the Alzheimer's disease spectrum.