A New, More Accurate Test for 'Walking Pneumonia' Bacteria
This patent describes a new method and instrument for detecting *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*, the bacteria causing 'walking pneumonia,' using a special antibody that binds strongly to two specific proteins from the germ.
Original patent title: “Mycoplasma pneumoniae immunoassay method and immunoassay instrument”
This patent describes a new method and instrument for detecting *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*, the bacteria causing 'walking pneumonia,' using a special antibody that binds strongly to two specific proteins from the germ. Owned by Denka Co with 11 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2041.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes an immunoassay method to detect *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* by using a unique monoclonal antibody. This antibody is special because it specifically reacts with two proteins from the bacteria, P1 protein and P30 protein (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). Crucially, this antibody also specifically recognizes a small part of a protein, called a peptide, that contains the amino acid sequence PPQPG (Claim 1). The method involves an 'antigen-antibody reaction' where the antibody binds to these bacterial proteins if they are present in a sample. The patent also covers instruments, like an 'immunochromatographic strip' (Claim 7), which is a type of rapid test strip, that uses this antibody. For example, a doctor could use a test strip coated with this antibody to quickly check a patient's sample for *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* proteins.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover immunoassay methods that do not use a monoclonal antibody specifically reacting with *both* P1 and P30 proteins of *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover antibodies that do not specifically react with a peptide containing the amino acid sequence PPQPG (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover methods for detecting other types of bacteria or viruses, only *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover diagnostic methods that do not rely on an antigen-antibody reaction (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover antibodies that only react with P1 protein or only with P30 protein, but not both (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
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 the specific monoclonal antibody itself. It's designed to recognize not just one, but two key proteins (P1 and P30) of *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*, and also a very specific amino acid sequence (PPQPG). This dual-target recognition, combined with its higher binding strength compared to older antibodies, makes the detection more precise and potentially more sensitive.
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
Rapid diagnostic test kits for *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*
Laboratory immunoassay instruments for clinical diagnostics
Immunochromatographic strips used in point-of-care testing
Diagnostic reagents for infectious disease testing
Why it matters
The bigger picture
*Mycoplasma pneumoniae* is a common cause of respiratory infections, often called 'walking pneumonia,' which can be difficult to diagnose quickly. This patent aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed by providing a more specific and higher-affinity antibody for detection. Faster and more reliable diagnosis can lead to quicker treatment, helping patients recover sooner and potentially reducing the spread of the infection.
Filed
April 6, 2021
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Denka Co Ltd, the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is a Japanese chemical company with a significant presence in diagnostics and healthcare. They are actively involved in developing and manufacturing diagnostic reagents and instruments. Other major diagnostic companies focusing on infectious diseases, such as Abbott Laboratories, Roche Diagnostics, and Siemens Healthineers, are also continuously innovating in this space.
Market impact
Improved diagnostic tools for *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* can significantly impact the market for infectious disease testing. By offering a more accurate and potentially faster test, this technology could lead to earlier and more targeted treatment of 'walking pneumonia,' reducing the reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics. This could also help in managing outbreaks and improving public health outcomes by enabling quicker identification of infected individuals.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes an immunoassay method to detect *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* by using a unique monoclonal antibody. This antibody is special because it specifically reacts with two proteins from the bacteria, P1 protein and P30 protein (Claim 1). Crucially, this antibody also specifically recognizes a small part of a protein, called a peptide, that contains the amino acid sequence PPQPG (Claim 1). The method involves an 'antigen-antibody reaction' where the antibody binds to these bacterial proteins if they are present in a sample. The patent also covers instruments, like an 'immunochromatographic strip' (Claim 7), which is a type of rapid test strip, that uses this antibody. For example, a doctor could use a test strip coated with this antibody to quickly check a patient's sample for *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* proteins.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific monoclonal antibody itself. It's designed to recognize not just one, but two key proteins (P1 and P30) of *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*, and also a very specific amino acid sequence (PPQPG). This dual-target recognition, combined with its higher binding strength compared to older antibodies, makes the detection more precise and potentially more sensitive.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover immunoassay methods that do not use a monoclonal antibody specifically reacting with *both* P1 and P30 proteins of *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* (Claim 1).
- Does not cover antibodies that do not specifically react with a peptide containing the amino acid sequence PPQPG (Claim 1).
- Does not cover methods for detecting other types of bacteria or viruses, only *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* (Claim 1).
- Does not cover diagnostic methods that do not rely on an antigen-antibody reaction (Claim 1).
- Does not cover antibodies that only react with P1 protein or only with P30 protein, but not both (Claim 1).
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Limited data
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
7/20
Moderate scope
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
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
$23K – $72K
Midpoint $45K · 14.6 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
11 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
TAKANO, T., Kohiyama, R., & Miyazawa, T. A New, More Accurate Test for 'Walking Pneumonia' Bacteria (U.S. Patent No. 20,230,176,052). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20230176052/mycoplasma-pneumoniae-immunoassay-method-and-immunoassay-instrument
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 A New, More Accurate Test for 'Walking Pneumonia' Bacteria cover?
This patent describes a new method and instrument for detecting *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*, the bacteria causing 'walking pneumonia,' using a special antibody that binds strongly to two specific proteins from the germ.
Who owns patent US 20230176052?
This patent is owned by Denka Co.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on April 6, 2041, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
*Mycoplasma pneumoniae* is a common cause of respiratory infections, often called 'walking pneumonia,' which can be difficult to diagnose quickly. This patent aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed by providing a more specific and higher-affinity antibody for detection. Faster and more reliable diagnosis can lead to quicker treatment, helping patients recover sooner and potentially reducing the spread of the infection.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover immunoassay methods that do not use a monoclonal antibody specifically reacting with *both* P1 and P30 proteins of *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* (Claim 1).
Patent monitoring