Optical technique for rapid early-stage diagnosis of kidney disease

Subject of study . This study develops a method to obtain reliable real-time information on kidney function using urine samples, applicable to both diagnostic purposes and monitoring the effectiveness of drug treatments. Aim of study . The aim of this study is to develop a novel method for the rapid, real-time assessment of the condition of the kidney through refractometric measurements of the refractive index of urine samples. Method . The refractive index of a urine sample is measured at four laser wavelengths using a single mobile refractometer, with a measurement error of 0.00005, without altering the condition of the sample. Main results . The proposed method for rapid kidney-condition monitoring demonstrates high reliability, as confirmed by experimental studies of urine samples and clinical examinations of patients in whom kidney-function abnormalities were detected during screening. A mobile refractometer has been designed to implement the proposed method. Experimental results have been obtained for refractive-index measurements of urine samples from patients with early-stage kidney disease at various temperatures. Practical significance . The developed method and its associated instrumentation provide a reliable solution for obtaining real-time information on kidney function during diagnosis or treatment monitoring in outpatient clinics, polyclinics, district hospitals, and major medical centers.