Compositions and methods for assessing gut function
AssigneeMediBeacon Inc.
InventorsRichard B. Dorshow, Steven J. Hanley, Phillip I. Tarr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Compositions and methods for assessing gut function are disclosed. They are designed to provide accurate, rapid, point-of-care or in-community assessment of enteric dysfunction.
Claims30
A composition for assessing gut function in a subject in need thereof, comprising a fluorescent challenge molecule, wherein the fluorescent challenge molecule is not substantially absorbed by a healthy gut.
A method for assessing gut function in a subject in need thereof, comprising the steps of:
- a. administering an effective amount of a composition for assessing gut function, comprising a fluorescent challenge molecule, wherein the fluorescent challenge molecule is not substantially absorbed by a healthy gut into the subject's gut;
- b. irradiating the composition absorbed by the subject's gut with non-ionizing radiation, wherein the radiation causes the composition to fluoresce;
- c. detecting the fluorescence of the fluorescent challenge molecule;
- and
- d. assessing gut function in the subject based on the detected fluorescence.
A method for assessing gut function in a subject in need thereof, comprising the steps of:
- a. administering an effective amount of a composition comprising two fluorescent challenge molecules, wherein the first fluorescent challenge molecule is not substantially absorbed by a healthy gut, and wherein the second fluorescent challenge molecule is substantially absorbed by a healthy gut into the subject's gut;
- b. irradiating the composition absorbed by the subject's gut with non-ionizing radiation, wherein the radiation causes the composition to fluoresce;
- c. detecting the fluorescence of each fluorescent challenge molecule in the composition;
- and
- d. assessing gut function in the subject based on the detected fluorescence.
A method of assessing the location of a disease or an injury in a subject's gut, comprising the steps of:
- a. administering an effective amount of a composition comprising two fluorescent challenge molecules, wherein the first fluorescent challenge molecule is not substantially absorbed by a healthy gut, and wherein the second fluorescent challenge molecule is substantially absorbed by a healthy gut into the subject's gut;
- b. irradiating the composition absorbed by the subject's gut with non-ionizing radiation, wherein the radiation causes the composition to fluoresce;
- c. detecting the fluorescence of each fluorescent challenge molecule in the composition over time;
- and
- d. assessing the location of disease or injury in the subject's gut, based on the time between the detected fluorescence of each fluorescent challenge molecule and administration.
A kit for assessing gut function in a subject in need thereof, comprising:
- a. a composition for assessing gut function, comprising a fluorescent challenge molecule, wherein the fluorescent challenge molecule is not substantially absorbed by a healthy gut into the subject's gut, and
- b. written instructions for assessing gut function in the subject, comprising the steps of:
- i. administering an effective amount of the composition;
- ii. irradiating the composition absorbed by the subject's gut with non-ionizing radiation, wherein the radiation causes the fluorescent challenge molecule to fluoresce;
- iii. detecting the fluorescence of the composition;
- and
- iv. assessing gut function in the subject based on the detected fluorescence.
A method of assessing the size of the openings within a subject's gut, comprising the steps of:
- a. administering an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one fluorescent challenge molecule, wherein each fluorescent challenge molecule has a different size, and is absorbed by a healthy gut to a different degree into the subject's gut;
- b. irradiating the composition absorbed by the subject's gut with non-ionizing radiation, wherein the radiation causes the composition to fluoresce;
- c. detecting the fluorescence of each fluorescent challenge molecule in the composition;
- and
- d. assessing the size of the openings within the subject's gut, based on the size of each fluorescent challenge molecule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.