ITA and Pregnancy Outcome

Reference number: STC-LS-0269
Inventor(s): F. Byrn; L. Cole; J. Sutton
For more information, contact: Jovan Heusser, M.B.A. (505-272-7908)

Patent(s)

7,572,639 (MC-0269)

Background

Detection of ectopic pregnancy or those in danger of spontaneous abortion is critical especially when rapid therapeutic intervention is needed. These conditions result in millions of failed pregnancies in the United States each year. Failure to diagnose ectopic pregnancy may even be fatal to the mother.

Spontaneous abortion affects 20% of couples wishing to have children. The diagnostic evaluation of spontaneous abortion is complex with many different etiologies each causing a small percentage of the total cases. Because of the multiple etiologies a collaborative effort between many medical specialties is needed, making diagnosis expensive and yet the causes of many spontaneous abortions are still unknown. (Stephenson, Fertil. Steril. 66:24(1996))

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy have risen 6 fold in the last three decades. It is therefore important to know if a pregnancy is progressing normally even before it is clinically evident. This invention provides a method of detection of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (also called invasive trophoblast antigen ITA)and progesterone and an accompanying analysis.

Technology

This invention is a diagnostic tool for predicting pregnancy outcome. Specifically, it involves the detection of ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous abortion by measuring the rate of change of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone in blood of pregnant women. Values are analyzed using our associated algorithm. Current test have an accuracy of 68%. Our test has an accuracy of 96%. This testing can be done at an early stage before symptoms emerge and cause damage.

Applications/Advantages

The invention would allow the rapid and highly accurate detection of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone and an accompanying analysis. The invention offers early determination of the condition so that intervention(s) may be used to prevent damage to the mother or fetus.

Downloads

• MC-269 Published Patent Application (182.71 KB PDF)

Related Categories

• Diagnostic Testing