# How to Detect Heart Disease in Cats Using Blood Tests

> A diagnostic method that uses specific antibodies to measure a protein in cat blood, helping veterinarians identify heart disease.

- **Patent:** US 9605068
- **Original title:** Determining feline proBNP
- **Owner:** Antibody Lab GmbH
- **Granted:** 2017
- **Status:** Active
- **Times cited:** 7
- **Field:** biotech, mechanical

## What it does

This patent describes a laboratory test to measure the concentration of a protein called NT-proBNP in a cat's blood. The process uses two specific types of antibodies, each designed to lock onto a unique part of the NT-proBNP protein sequence. By binding these antibodies to the protein in a blood sample, the test can quantify how much of the protein is present. If the concentration is higher than what is found in a healthy cat, it serves as a biomarker to indicate the presence of heart disease.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover diagnostic methods for species other than cats (e.g., humans or dogs).
- Does not cover the use of monoclonal antibodies; it is limited to the specific polyclonal antibodies described.
- Does not cover testing methods that use different amino acid sequences for the antibodies.
- Does not cover the treatment of heart disease, only the diagnostic measurement.

## The clever bit

The innovation lies in identifying two specific, highly reactive peptide sequences (SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:9) that act as reliable targets for antibodies, ensuring the test accurately captures the feline NT-proBNP protein without interference.

## Real-world examples

1. Veterinary diagnostic blood panels for feline cardiac health
2. IDEXX Laboratories feline NT-proBNP tests

## Why it matters

Heart disease is a common and often silent killer in cats. This diagnostic tool provides a standardized, objective way for veterinarians to screen for cardiac issues before physical symptoms become severe, allowing for earlier medical intervention.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How to Detect Heart Disease in Cats Using Blood Tests cover?

A diagnostic method that uses specific antibodies to measure a protein in cat blood, helping veterinarians identify heart disease.

### Who owns patent US 9605068?

Antibody Lab GmbH owns this patent, granted in 2017.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent is expected to expire on March 28, 2037, when the invention enters the public domain.

### What is patent US 9605068 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 7 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

Heart disease is a common and often silent killer in cats. This diagnostic tool provides a standardized, objective way for veterinarians to screen for cardiac issues before physical symptoms become severe, allowing for earlier medical intervention.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover diagnostic methods for species other than cats (e.g., humans or dogs).

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9605068/dupixent-dupilumab

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US9605068

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._