Methods and Devices for Rapid Assessment of Severity of Injury

Abstract

Methods and devices for rapid assessment of the severity of injury not due to a natural disease based upon measurement of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are provided.

1 . A method of assessing severity of an injury in a subject that is due to physical or chemical causes arising from accidents, natural disasters or aggressive acts and which is not due to natural disease, said method comprising measuring a level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in a sample of bodily fluid from the subject within 12 hours after the injury has occurred. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bodily fluid is blood, plasma, serum or urine. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bodily fluid is bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a functional activity of NGAL is measured in the sample. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the measurement of NGAL or a functional activity thereof is performed by means of one or more antibodies or other binding molecules capable of binding to NGAL or a ligand or product of its functional activity. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the measurement of NGAL or its functional activity gives rise to a quantitative or qualitative signal that can be read by visual inspection or by means of a portable reading device that can be carried to wherever an injured subject may be encountered. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein NGAL or its functional activity is measured by an automated method. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is a mammal. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the mammal is a human. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injury is traumatic in origin. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injury is due to exposure to a chemical agent. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the injury is due to exposure to radiation. 
   
   
       13 . A portable device for rapid assessment of a level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in a sample, said portable device comprising a test cassette comprising one or more antibodies or other binding molecules capable of binding to NGAL or a product of its functional activity. 
   
   
       14 . The portable device of  claim 13  further comprising a blood sampling means. 
   
   
       15 . The portable device of  claim 13  further comprising a portable reading device for the test cassette. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the level of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in a sample of bodily fluid from the subject is measured within 2 hours after the injury has occurred. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  for use in triage of victims of said accidents, disasters or acts.