The intersection of MedTech and software in an emerging market – Part 2: Singapore vs Australia – Examples of computer-implemented medical technologies

Summary of the example invention: A computer implemented method that uses a trained algorithm to identify a BRAF V600E mutation in a biological sample of a subject. More specifically, the independent method claim is directed to a trained algorithm that compares the expression level of a biomarker in the biological sample with expression training data from samples with and without the BRAF V600E mutation. After the comparison, the method classifies the biological sample as containing or not the mutation with a specificity of at least 95%.

Comments on patentability: This method determines with high specificity whether the genetic code of an individual has or does not have the BRAF V600E mutation. This information is relevant in order to understand mechanisms of diseases, their development and the most effective therapies against them.

Summary of the example invention: A method for personalised immunotherapy. More specifically, the method claim is directed to using patient data to collect candidate epitopes to in turn provide a first score to each candidate epitope based on the likelihood that the candidate epitope elicits an immune response in the cancer patient. A final single score is then given to the candidate epitopes combining the first given scores to reflect the likelihood of eliciting the immune response in the patient. The single score is also used to rank the candidate epitopes for the immunotherapy.¹

Comments on patentability: The method estimates, with greater accuracy, which epitopes offers the best targets for particular patients. Further, the method considers the diversity of the neoantigens to better identify the most promising targets. Thus, the invention provides a technical advantage as it is directed to targeting more efficiently cancer cells during immunotherapy.

Summary of the example invention: An imaging analysis method to assess blood vessel stenosis from the image collected from a subject where the image analysis allows quantitative determination of the lumen area of successive cross-sections in the vessel segment. More specifically, the claimed method is directed to determining the lumen area by measuring the intensity profile along the diameter line of the lumen, then calculating the first derivative of the intensity profile in order to measure the gradient along the same line diameter. For each diameter line, the method establishes, for each gradient, the lumen boundary.²

Comments on patentability: The claimed method allows the establishment of the boundary of a lumen which is relevant to the measurement of segments of blood vessels. This measurement allows the identification of whether or not a stenosis is present in the vessel. Hence the technical advantage of the method lies in allowing identification of stenosis.

Summary of the example invention: A deep learning method to map material specific images from energy-selective images. More specifically, the method for generating material decomposition from CT scans uses a neural network including an encoder and a decoder. The encoder encrypts the structures of the input basis images into a feature representation at multiple different levels. The decoder projects the discriminative feature representation learnt by the encoder network into the pixel/voxel space to obtain a dense classification.³

Comments on patentability: This claimed method provides better rendering of low contrast tissues and materials, which can in turn be used in pathology or disease identification and monitoring (such as of disease progression). Thus, a technical advantage of this invention is improved disease identification.

Summary of the example invention: A system for delivering patient-centric and value-based care that includes computer implementation. More specifically, the system takes health data of different types from a plurality of agent modules based on a set of polling permissions. A switching module provides the polled health data into a common information model. The claimed invention also includes an interface module to gain access to the common information module.⁴

Comments on patentability: The above invention, is an example of technology-enabled data-driven solution that accelerates effective disease management and care. Often data are stored in different formats and different protocols are required to access these data. In contrast, the system described above allows processing of different types of data in a common format, thus the data can be easily processed by healthcare providers.

Summary of the example invention: A computer-based system for providing psychological therapy. More specifically, the method includes the steps of: setting a task to be completed by the patient via a task system; determining the score of the completed task; and providing an alert to the therapist and/or a supervisor in response to the score indicating that a level of a psychological condition of the patient is above a particular threshold.⁵

Comments on patentability: This invention notably includes a transcript element that aids learning consolidation, while a task and alert system facilitates efficient task handling and alerts for therapy intervention. This enhances cognitive behavioural therapy by ensuring effective sessions and timely support based on objective analysis.