Human Crystal Diagnostics with hybrid Raman spectrograph and polarised light microscope

Human Crystal Diagnostics combining the hybrid Raman spectrograph and a polarised light microscope diagnostic scope in order to identify crystals in human crystal diseases

The current golden standard of polarisation microscopy offers too little accuracy in characterising observed crystals in synovial fluids. With Raman spectroscopy, it was observed in preliminary work that many more unidentified by PLM crystals can be recognised. No systematic study presently exists that investigates the frequency of such occurrences. Dr. T. Jansen and Dr. M. Janssen, key opinion leaders regarding crystal diseases founded the company Human Crystal Research and initiated collaboration with the University of Twente in order to develop an innovative hybrid scope which combines Raman spectograph and PLM technology.

The interoperator variability in the diagnosis of crystal diseases is relatively high. Trained investigators do miss diagnosis of crystal diseases (81% for gout crystals and 68% for non-urate crystals (Clinical Rheumatology: Berendsen et al 2016)). This leads to delayed diagnosis or false diagnosis and thus the patient may not receive the correct medication or therapy. An improved diagnosis would increase the cost-effectiveness and quality of life surrounding crystal diseases. It also would lead to fewer unnecessary side effects of medication, a possible better patient compliance through a stronger diagnosis, and earlier diagnoses so further damage to the joints can be prevented through timely intervention.

The innovation of Human Crystal Therapy encompasses a combination of polarisation microscopy and Raman spectroscopy resulting in a speedy and accurate crystal recognition. It may also lead to the acceptance of Raman technology in the scientific medical community because of the possibility to compare both techniques on accuracy.

The goals in this study are:

  • The development of an integrated polarisation-Raman microscope, that results in an efficient use of the method to detect and characterise all crystals in synovial fluids.
  • The development of a database of crystal Raman spectra from synovial fluids
  • The development of an easy accessibility to the database in order to computerise crystal diagnosis
  • A proposition of criteria for medical valorisation of the new technique and method
  • The valorisation of the technique and method on a relevant number of medical samples for the distinction of crystal diseases
  • The acquisition of relevant numbers of patient samples with other signaling crystals
  • The assessment of the new method as a suitable technique to investigate effects of therapy on the synovial fluids
  • To understand the origin and consequences of the measurement of multiple types of crystals in the synovial fluids
  • To make crystal diagnosis independent of hospital specialists and therefore reduction of costs involved

For more information you can look at their website.

Summary
No systematic study presently exists that investigates the frequency identifying observed crystals in synovial fluids. A thorough investigation is needed with patients who will have their synovial fluid investigated with both polarisation microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
4 - 7
Time period
48 months
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