The Korea Institute of Supplies Science (KIMS) Superior Bio and Healthcare Supplies Analysis Division, led by Dr. Ho Sang Jung and his analysis staff, has partnered with Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital to develop a expertise that makes use of synovial fluid to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in as little as ten minutes. The journal Small printed the examine.
Schematic illustration of the physique fluid-based fast analysis and differentiation expertise for arthritis. Picture Credit score: Korea Institute of Supplies Science (KIMS)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a extreme continual sickness that impacts roughly 1 in 100 individuals all through their lifetime, whereas osteoarthritis impacts greater than 50% of individuals 65 and older, in response to some research.
Correct differentiation on the early analysis stage is essential as a result of, regardless of their related appearances, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have totally different causes and coverings. X-rays, MRI scans, and blood exams have been the mainstays of analysis till now, however they’re costly, time-consuming, and restricted in accuracy.
Synovial fluid is a substance present in human joints. The examine staff focused on the variations within the metabolite byproducts of bodily chemical reactions discovered on this fluid. By analyzing these metabolic variations, they created a system that may decide the severity of rheumatoid arthritis and differentiate between osteoarthritis and RA in lower than ten minutes.
The analysis staff employed surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) expertise, which amplifies molecular optical indicators a number of million occasions. Utilizing a mix of mathematical algorithms and synthetic intelligence (AI)-based evaluation, this expertise detects the minute substances that trigger arthritis by amplifying indicators from hint molecules present in synovial fluid.
Utilizing a sensor product of a sea urchin-shaped gold nanostructure fashioned on a paper floor with excessive moisture absorption, the staff additionally created a fast and simple diagnostic approach that permits for efficient detection by bodily fluids.
The analysis staff examined the expertise on 120 sufferers in partnership with Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. The findings demonstrated that rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis could possibly be recognized and differentiated with higher than 94% accuracy. Moreover, the expertise was capable of decide the severity of rheumatoid arthritis with over 95% accuracy.
These outcomes present that the expertise ensures a excessive diploma of diagnostic accuracy whereas additionally drastically slicing down on the time and expense of diagnosing arthritis.
If this expertise is commercialized, it won’t solely help in analysis but in addition be extremely helpful in monitoring remedy progress. We additionally plan to proceed increasing our analysis to cowl a wider vary of illnesses sooner or later.
Dr. Ho Sang Jung, Examine Lead Researcher, Korea Institute of Supplies Science
This examine was funded by the Bio & Medical Expertise Growth Program and the International Younger Researcher Program of the Nationwide Analysis Basis of Korea (NRF), in addition to the Supplies and Elements Expertise Growth Program of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Vitality (MOTIE).
Journal Reference:
Heo, B., et al. (2025) AI‐Assisted Plasmonic Diagnostics Platform for Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis With Biomarker Quantification Utilizing Mathematical Fashions. Small. doi.org/10.1002/smll.202500264.
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