# 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. - **Patent:** US 12085565 - **Original title:** SNTF is a blood biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of sports-related concussion - **Owner:** University of Pennsylvania Penn - **Granted:** 2024 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** biotech, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, consumer_electronics, healthcare ## What it does 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). ## 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). ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Concussion assessment in professional sports leagues 2. Emergency room diagnostics for head injuries 3. Monitoring recovery of athletes after a head impact 4. Clinical trials for new mTBI treatments ## Why it matters 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 athletes. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12085565/sntf-is-a-blood-biomarker-for-the-diagnosis-and-prognosis-of-sports-related-conc **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12085565 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Using Blood Markers to Diagnose Stroke and Tell Its Type](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10914745/biomarker-based-methods-for-aiding-the-diagnosis-of-stroke) — This patent describes a two-step method for diagnosing a stroke and then determining if it's an ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA) by measuring specific protein levels in a patient's blood. - [How to Detect Disease Markers Using Colored Proteins](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4302536/colorimetric-immunoassay-process) — A 1981 method for measuring disease-related proteins in blood by attaching them to naturally colored proteins that can be detected with light. - [How Two Special Antibodies Find Substances in Body Fluids](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/4376110/psa-test-for-prostate-cancer) — This patent describes a "sandwich" method using two highly specific, man-made antibodies to detect and measure tiny amounts of specific substances, like disease markers, in a fluid sample. - [Using Cannabinoids to Protect the Brain from Oxidative Stress](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6630507/cannabinoids-as-antioxidants-and-neuroprotectants) — A government-owned patent describing how certain non-psychoactive cannabinoids can act as antioxidants to protect brain cells from damage caused by strokes, trauma, or diseases like Alzheimer's. - [Using Dimethyl Fumarate to Treat Multiple Sclerosis](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8399514/gilenya-fingolimod) — A patent detailing the specific daily dosage of 480mg of dimethyl fumarate for treating multiple sclerosis to protect nerve cells.