Method for Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer Using Biomarkers
This patent describes a method to diagnose ovarian cancer by measuring specific protein levels in a patient's blood sample and comparing them to normal levels.
Original patent title: “Diagnostic methods”
This patent describes a method to diagnose ovarian cancer by measuring specific protein levels in a patient's blood sample and comparing them to normal levels. Granted to Meso Scale Technologies in 2011 with 27 claims, and it is expected to expire in 2028.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent outlines a diagnostic method for identifying ovarian cancer. It involves measuring the level of a specific protein, called Flt-1, in a patient's blood sample (serum or plasma). This measured level is then compared to the normal level of Flt-1 found in healthy individuals. If the patient's Flt-1 level is significantly higher than normal (specifically, more than one standard deviation above the normal level), it suggests the presence of ovarian cancer. The method can also include measuring other biomarkers like CA125 or IL-6, and using these additional measurements to help confirm the diagnosis. The entire process can be performed on a single blood sample, potentially within a single assay chamber.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Diagnosing any cancer other than ovarian cancer.
- Diagnosing ovarian cancer using only symptoms or imaging, without measuring biomarker levels.
- Using biomarkers other than Flt-1 as the sole indicator for diagnosing ovarian cancer.
- Methods that do not compare patient sample levels to a normal control sample.
- Diagnosing ovarian cancer based on levels that are not statistically significant deviations (e.g., less than one standard deviation above normal).
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in identifying Flt-1 as a key indicator for ovarian cancer and establishing a clear, statistically defined threshold (one standard deviation above normal) for its measurement to signal the disease's presence, potentially simplifying and standardizing the diagnostic process.
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
Diagnostic kits for ovarian cancer detection
Laboratory blood tests for cancer screening
Biomarker assays used in clinical trials
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Early and accurate diagnosis of ovarian cancer is critical for improving patient outcomes. This patent provides a specific method for potentially detecting the disease earlier by focusing on key biological markers in blood samples. Such diagnostic tools are essential for the field of oncology and personalized medicine.
Filed
September 12, 2008
Granted
November 8, 2011
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies developing in-vitro diagnostic tests for cancer, particularly those focused on gynecological cancers, would be interested in this technology. This includes major diagnostic companies and specialized biotech firms creating biomarker-based assays.
Market impact
This patent contributes to the development of more specific and potentially earlier diagnostic tools for ovarian cancer. By defining a method using specific biomarkers like Flt-1, it enables the creation of standardized tests that can aid clinicians in diagnosis, potentially impacting the market for cancer screening and diagnostic services.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent outlines a diagnostic method for identifying ovarian cancer. It involves measuring the level of a specific protein, called Flt-1, in a patient's blood sample (serum or plasma). This measured level is then compared to the normal level of Flt-1 found in healthy individuals. If the patient's Flt-1 level is significantly higher than normal (specifically, more than one standard deviation above the normal level), it suggests the presence of ovarian cancer. The method can also include measuring other biomarkers like CA125 or IL-6, and using these additional measurements to help confirm the diagnosis. The entire process can be performed on a single blood sample, potentially within a single assay chamber.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in identifying Flt-1 as a key indicator for ovarian cancer and establishing a clear, statistically defined threshold (one standard deviation above normal) for its measurement to signal the disease's presence, potentially simplifying and standardizing the diagnostic process.
What it does not cover
- Diagnosing any cancer other than ovarian cancer.
- Diagnosing ovarian cancer using only symptoms or imaging, without measuring biomarker levels.
- Using biomarkers other than Flt-1 as the sole indicator for diagnosing ovarian cancer.
- Methods that do not compare patient sample levels to a normal control sample.
- Diagnosing ovarian cancer based on levels that are not statistically significant deviations (e.g., less than one standard deviation above normal).
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
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
18/20
Very broad protection
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
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
$12K – $37K
Midpoint $23K · 2.0 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.
Patent Claims
0 independent claims · 1 dependent
Claims are the legal boundaries of the patent. An independent claim stands alone. A dependent claim adds limitations to its parent, narrowing — but not broadening — the scope.
The original legal language
Original claims
27 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Stengelin, M., Mathew, A., & Glezer, E. (2011). Method for Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer Using Biomarkers (U.S. Patent No. 8,053,198). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8053198/diagnostic-methods
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 Method for Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer Using Biomarkers cover?
This patent describes a method to diagnose ovarian cancer by measuring specific protein levels in a patient's blood sample and comparing them to normal levels.
Who owns patent US 8053198?
Meso Scale Technologies owns this patent, granted in 2011.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 12, 2028, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Early and accurate diagnosis of ovarian cancer is critical for improving patient outcomes. This patent provides a specific method for potentially detecting the disease earlier by focusing on key biological markers in blood samples. Such diagnostic tools are essential for the field of oncology and personalized medicine.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Diagnosing any cancer other than ovarian cancer.
Patent monitoring