Using a Blood Marker to Predict Concussion Risk and Severity
This patent describes a method to diagnose and predict long-term issues from mild traumatic brain injury, like concussions, by measuring a specific protein fragment called SNTF in a blood sample.
Original patent title: “SNTF is a blood biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of sports-related concussion”
This patent describes a method to diagnose and predict long-term issues from mild traumatic brain injury, like concussions, by measuring a specific protein fragment called SNTF in a blood sample. Granted to University of Pennsylvania Penn in 2024 with 44 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent outlines a method to assess mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), including sports-related concussions, by analyzing a blood sample. First, a blood, serum, or plasma sample is taken from a subject within 36 hours of the injury (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1a, 12a). Next, this sample is mixed with a special antibody that specifically attaches to a broken piece of a protein called SNTF, but not to the whole protein (Claim 1b, 12b). The amount of this antibody-SNTF combination is then measured to find the SNTF concentration (Claim 1c, 12c). This concentration is compared to a pre-determined normal level (Claim 1d, 12d). If the SNTF level is higher than normal, it indicates an elevated risk of long-term brain problems (Claim 1e) or the severity of the mTBI (Claim 12e), leading to a prognosis or diagnosis and subsequent treatment (Claim 1f, 12f). For example, a football player suspected of a concussion could have their blood tested to determine their risk of long-term issues and suitability to return to play (Claim 11).
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Diagnostic methods that do not rely on measuring the specific calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) in a blood, serum, or plasma sample.
- Blood, serum, or plasma samples collected more than 36 hours after the mild traumatic brain injury or suspected concussion occurred.
- Antibodies that bind to the full-length spectrin protein, rather than specifically to the calpain-generated neoepitope of SNTF (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1b, 12b).
- Diagnostic or prognostic methods for brain injuries that are not classified as mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI).
- Methods that do not involve comparing the measured SNTF concentration to a pre-determined standard (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1d, 12d).
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in identifying and utilizing the specific calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) as a blood biomarker. This particular fragment, generated by specific enzyme activity after brain injury, provides a precise and measurable indicator for both diagnosing mTBI and predicting the risk of long-term neurological dysfunction.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Concussion assessment in professional sports leagues
Emergency room diagnostics for head injuries
Monitoring recovery of athletes after a head impact
Clinical trials for new mTBI treatments
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Concussions and other mild traumatic brain injuries are common, especially in sports, and can have serious long-term consequences. Diagnosing them objectively and predicting outcomes has been challenging, often relying on subjective assessments or expensive imaging like CT scans. This patent offers a blood-based, objective biomarker test that can be performed relatively quickly after an injury, potentially allowing for earlier and more accurate prognosis and diagnosis without the need for a CT scan (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 7, 16). This could significantly improve patient management and safety, particularly for athletes.
Filed
March 23, 2018
Granted
September 10, 2024
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The University of Pennsylvania, as the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is actively involved in research and development in this area. Companies specializing in diagnostic assays and medical devices, particularly those focused on neurology and sports medicine, would be interested in developing commercial tests based on this biomarker. This includes firms like Abbott Laboratories and Siemens Healthineers, which have extensive diagnostic portfolios.
Market impact
This patent has the potential to shift the paradigm for concussion diagnosis and prognosis from subjective assessments and expensive imaging to a more objective, blood-based test. If widely adopted, it could create a new market segment for rapid, point-of-care diagnostics for mild traumatic brain injury. This could lead to earlier interventions, improved athlete safety, and potentially reduce the long-term health burden associated with concussions, by providing clear, quantifiable data to guide return-to-play decisions.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent outlines a method to assess mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), including sports-related concussions, by analyzing a blood sample. First, a blood, serum, or plasma sample is taken from a subject within 36 hours of the injury (Claim 1a, 12a). Next, this sample is mixed with a special antibody that specifically attaches to a broken piece of a protein called SNTF, but not to the whole protein (Claim 1b, 12b). The amount of this antibody-SNTF combination is then measured to find the SNTF concentration (Claim 1c, 12c). This concentration is compared to a pre-determined normal level (Claim 1d, 12d). If the SNTF level is higher than normal, it indicates an elevated risk of long-term brain problems (Claim 1e) or the severity of the mTBI (Claim 12e), leading to a prognosis or diagnosis and subsequent treatment (Claim 1f, 12f). For example, a football player suspected of a concussion could have their blood tested to determine their risk of long-term issues and suitability to return to play (Claim 11).
The clever bit
The novelty lies in identifying and utilizing the specific calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) as a blood biomarker. This particular fragment, generated by specific enzyme activity after brain injury, provides a precise and measurable indicator for both diagnosing mTBI and predicting the risk of long-term neurological dysfunction.
What it does not cover
- Diagnostic methods that do not rely on measuring the specific calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) in a blood, serum, or plasma sample.
- Blood, serum, or plasma samples collected more than 36 hours after the mild traumatic brain injury or suspected concussion occurred.
- Antibodies that bind to the full-length spectrin protein, rather than specifically to the calpain-generated neoepitope of SNTF (Claim 1b, 12b).
- Diagnostic or prognostic methods for brain injuries that are not classified as mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI).
- Methods that do not involve comparing the measured SNTF concentration to a pre-determined standard (Claim 1d, 12d).
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Strong
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$72K – $230K
Midpoint $144K · 11.7 yr remaining · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
44 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Siman, R. (2024). Using a Blood Marker to Predict Concussion Risk and Severity (U.S. Patent No. 12,085,565). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12085565/sntf-is-a-blood-biomarker-for-the-diagnosis-and-prognosis-of-sports-related-conc
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Using a Blood Marker to Predict Concussion Risk and Severity cover?
This patent describes a method to diagnose and predict long-term issues from mild traumatic brain injury, like concussions, by measuring a specific protein fragment called SNTF in a blood sample.
Who owns patent US 12085565?
University of Pennsylvania Penn owns this patent, granted in 2024.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on March 23, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 12085565 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Concussions and other mild traumatic brain injuries are common, especially in sports, and can have serious long-term consequences. Diagnosing them objectively and predicting outcomes has been challenging, often relying on subjective assessments or expensive imaging like CT scans. This patent offers a blood-based, objective biomarker test that can be performed relatively quickly after an injury, potentially allowing for earlier and more accurate prognosis and diagnosis without the need for a CT scan (Claim 7, 16). This could significantly improve patient management and safety, particularly for…
What does this patent NOT cover?
Diagnostic methods that do not rely on measuring the specific calpain-cleaved αII-spectrin N-terminal fragment (SNTF) in a blood, serum, or plasma sample.
Same assignee
More from University of Pennsylvania Penn
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