‘Lollilab’ To Diagnose And Monitor Oral Health Conditions

Larta Institute
posted on 10/10/2007

Technology Description:
UCI researchers have developed a “lab on a lollipop” which seamlessly integrates the interface between a human subject and the microchip instrument. The lollipop-like apparatus is a medical instrumentation platform for housing a micro-medical lab-on-a-chip device for monitoring health conditions, oral fluids and breath-based measurements for disease diagnoses.

UCLA researchers have developed antibodies to L. casei and Actinomyces naslundii based on the unique polysaccharide structures of lipooligosaccharide or lipopolysaccharide on these bacteria. These monoclonal antibodies were screened for species-specificity against Lactobacillus casei and Actinomyces naslundii. Detection of additional cariogenic species provides a more accurate assessment of dental caries risk.

Combined, the LolliLab device can deliver the antibodies easily to the sites of interest and provide a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of oral disease.

Technology Background:
Dental plaques are associated with dental caries and gingivitis. S. mutans is the most cariogenic bacteria, but predictive value of caries risk with salivary S. mutans counts alone is controversial. Identification of additional cariogenic bacterial species may allow a more accurate assessment of caries risk. L. casei and Actinomyces naslundii have been implicated in some types of dental caries. These bacteria along with S. mutans colonize the surfaces or roots of teeth and produce acids that dissolve the tooth mineral. Current medical lab-on-a-chip devices for oral and saliva-based assays and oral-based drug delivery require multiple steps before a final diagnosis can be made. Typically these technologies are interfaced with a desktop or laptop instrument that is used to control the chip, read the sensors, display the results and store the data. Also, sample collection remains a separate step, which is typically done by “spitting” into a cup and using a pipette to introduce the saliva to the microchip.

Advantages

- Seamless interface between subjects & microchips
- Applicable to both human and animal dental caries
- May be flavored to accommodate children & pets
- Can be used in conjunction with other instruments, such as bottle, pacifier, toothbrush & thermometer

Innovation Details

File Number: B-114

Other Information:

Intellectual Property:
At least a portion of this combination is protected by US Patent Application 20060127327, plus a PCT patent application; other rights may also pertain.

Additional Information:
Technology Bundling Project
Funded by Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and administered by Larta Institute, the Project’s expert panels examined technologies from 18 Southern California research centers and identified inventions which could be synergistically combined for unique solutions. These Linked-Solutions are now being offered for license, with reduced red tape and “1-stop technology shopping”

IP Protection