Urinary Podocyte Estimation via Podocalyxin Solubilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating the number of urinary podocytes are not accurate or efficient, particularly in detecting podocyte shedding in renal diseases like diabetic nephropathy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the detection and calculation of podocalyxin excretion in urinary sediment samples, using a combination of buffer, chelating agents, and surfactants to solubilize podocalyxin, followed by centrifugation and immunological techniques to estimate the number of urinary podocytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the fluorescent antibody method is used to detect urinary podocytes, then podocyte detection can be performed, but the measurement accuracy and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual fluorescent antibody method with an automated immunological measurement system. Instead of manual fluorescence microscopy and visual counting, the invention uses immunological techniques to detect podocalyxin in urinary sediment sample liquid, enabling automated quantification that improves both accuracy and efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces podocalyxin detection as an intermediary measure. Rather than directly counting podocytes (which is difficult and imprecise), the method detects podocalyxin protein in the urinary sediment sample liquid as a surrogate marker, allowing indirect but more accurate and efficient estimation of podocyte numbers through immunological measurement.
2Ease of operation
If simple urinary podocalyxin measurement is performed, then examination simplicity is improved, but podocyte number estimation accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses podocalyxin detection as an intermediary that bridges simplicity and accuracy. By measuring podocalyxin in the urinary sediment sample liquid rather than directly counting podocytes, the method achieves both operational simplicity (automated immunological measurement) and estimation accuracy (podocalyxin is a specific podocyte marker).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct podocyte counting to podocalyxin protein quantification. This parameter change enables the use of automated immunological techniques that are both simpler to perform and more accurate for estimating podocyte numbers, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision.
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 method allows for more accurate and efficient estimation of urinary podocyte numbers, enhancing the evaluation of renal disease severity, therapeutic effects, and prognosis.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of buffer, chelating agents, and surfactants to solubilize podocalyxin
Implementation Method 2
followed by centrifugation and immunological techniques
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of estimating the number of urinary podocytes, including detecting podocalyxin in a urinary sediment sample liquid, and more specifically, to a method of estimating the number of urinary podocytes, including the following steps (1) to (3): (1) a step of preparing the urinary sediment sample liquid by separating urinary sediment from urine collected from a test subject and solubilizing podocalyxin in the urinary sediment; (2) a step of calculating a podocalyxin excretion amount in the urinary sediment sample liquid through detection of podocalyxin in the urinary sediment sample liquid; and (3) a step of calculating the number of urinary podocytes by dividing the podocalyxin excretion amount in the urinary sediment sample liquid by a podocalyxin amount per podocyte.