Eye Or Testing By Visual Stimulus Patents (Class 600/558)
  • Publication number: 20100168606
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved method for photobleaching an eye of a subject. The disclosed method may be used in a number of psychophysical test methods, including, but not limited to, measurement of dark adaptation. The improved method for photo-bleaching involves at least one of the following improvements: (i) the use of a bleaching light emitting a particular wavelength of light or a tailored spectrum of wavelengths; (ii) restricting or otherwise spatially tailoring the region of the retina that is subject to photobleaching; and (iii) utilizing a bleaching light having an intensity that is at or below the intensity of ambient daylight. The present disclosure additionally provides a combination of a photobleaching light and an apparatus to administer a psychophysical test suitable for use in practicing the disclosed methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: John G. Edwards, Gregory R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7740592
    Abstract: For electrophysiological assessment of visual function, a head mounted stereo display (eg virtual reality goggles) for displaying a stimulus is used to generate a retinal or cortical response. In particular, a method for objective electrophysiological assessment of visual function of at least one eye of a subject includes presenting a visual stimulus to at least one eye of the subject, recording at least one of a retinal response and a cortical response generated as a result of the presenting, analyzing said response and, as a result of said analysing, forming a map of the visual function of the at least one eye of the subject. The invention also relates to a system for such electrophysiological assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Sydney
    Inventors: Stuart L. Graham, Iouri Malov, Alex Kozlovski, Alexander Klistorner
  • Publication number: 20100145223
    Abstract: Examination of 956 age-related macular degeneration cases showed that the complement factor H variant (Y402H, C allele at rs1061170) increases risk for the development of peripheral reticular pigmentary change. AMD phenotypes of 796 carriers of the CFH Y402H variant were compared to the AMD phenotypes of 160 non-carriers. Of 34 phenotypic features analyzed, only peripheral reticular pigmentary change (PRPC) was associated with this CFH variant (P-value 0.0006). The proportion of AMD cases with PRPC correlated with the number of CFH risk C alleles in a dose-response fashion. The association of CFH Y402H polymorphism with PRPC suggests that AMD changes are not limited to the macula. Current AMD grading methods assess only the macula; peripheral retinal changes should also be included in grading methods. PRPC may be used as a surrogate of a high-risk genotype and may be used for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Eric A. Postel, R. Keith Shuler, Jennifer Vaughn Caldwell, Michael Hauser, Silke Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100134758
    Abstract: A method to improve the receptiveness of a person to a training session of the human visual system where at least one visual stimuli arrangement is provided to the person and where means are provided so that the high order aberrations of the system consisting of the combination of said means and the eye of the person is lower than the high order aberrations of the eye of the person. The method to improve deficiencies, inefficiencies or both in neuronal interaction comprising preceding improvement method. A system such as a lens system, an artificial pupil or a clipable lens adapted for said methods. Related computer program product and computer-readable medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optiqu e)
    Inventor: Cecile Petignaud
  • Publication number: 20100125221
    Abstract: A detector located on a positioning tray has a plurality of colored caps placed by a subject being tested. Each cap has a unique resonant circuit which is selectively energized to indicate cap position to the detector so that color discrimination of the subject may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
    Inventors: Carl J. Bassi, Michael Howe, Wayne Garver
  • Publication number: 20100121158
    Abstract: A device comprised of one component that emits pulsing light patterns across the entire human visual field and a second component that monitors physiological activity and regulates the first component. The device is composed of glasses with dense light array emitting sources across the entire visual field of both eyes. This array may emit any of the possible combinations and permutations from the domains of (but not limited to), wave frequency, intensity, color, coherence, phase and type including sinusoidal, square, or saw tooth waves. By driving these possible combinations, different areas of the brain can be stimulated. Since various areas of the brain control CNS (Central Nervous System) functions, the secondary CNS monitoring component can be coupled with these various brain regions to enhance response to training. The data that the device detectors collect will provide recommendations for natural and pharmaceutical agents to enhance the function of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Adrian E. Quevedo
  • Patent number: 7708700
    Abstract: A method of training a subject to improve anticipatory timing includes presenting the subject with multiple sequences of stimuli, receiving sensor signals associated with responses by the subject to the stimuli, and recording response times in accordance with the sensor signals, wherein the recorded response times are associated with the responses by the subject to the multiple sequences of stimuli, and wherein the response times have an associated distribution. The method further includes analyzing the distribution of response times for the subject to determine variability in anticipatory timing of the subject with respect to the stimuli, and generating a subject feedback signal corresponding to a result of the analyzing so as to train the subject to improve anticipatory timing of the subject. Also disclosed is a system for performing the aforementioned training method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jamshid Ghajar
  • Patent number: 7711403
    Abstract: A method of estimating an amount of a substance in a bodily fluid from the color of a tissue surface of a subject includes capturing an image including at least a portion-of-interest of the subject and at least a reference portion of a color reference, the image being a digital image of pixels of at least one color, the image including a component value for each pixel for each of the at least one color, obtaining a first value associated with at least one component value corresponding to the portion-of-interest of the subject, obtaining a second value associated with at least one component value corresponding to the reference portion, and calculating an estimated amount of the substance using the first and second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Rhode Island Hospital
    Inventors: Gregory D. Jay, Selim Suner, Kevin S. Ernsting
  • Publication number: 20100103377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for measuring a displacement in vivo in situ of an eye, along with a method of assessing of an eye condition. More particularly, the apparatus and method of the present invention permits measurements of a displacement of at least two points in proximity of an optic disc, in the eye of a patient. For doing so, the apparatus uses a probing unit, an analog/digital converter and an analyzer. The displacement measured may include a pulsatile displacement of the lamina cribrosa, so as to perform early assessment of an eye condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: RSEM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventors: Mark Lesk, Marcelo Wajszilber, Tsuneyuki Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20100094161
    Abstract: A portable virtual reality device is disclosed that will facilitate the effective and efficient screening for TBI in military personnel in forward deployed military settings or remote locations using minimally trained staff. This includes the establishment of a protocol that will provide cost effective pre-screening of military personnel prior to deployment to establish a baseline of brain function prior to possible future injury. The efficiency of the device will promote subsequent follow-up screening to assess the effectiveness of prescribed TBI treatment. Further protocols for diagnosis and rehabilitation applications using the same virtual reality portable device will allow more advanced usage for clinicians providing ongoing evaluation and treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: NEURO KINETICS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander D. Kiderman, Howison Schroeder, Thomas Joos, Greg Frank
  • Publication number: 20100085539
    Abstract: A mental fatigue detection device for detecting mental fatigue without arbitrariness using a flickering light includes: a light-emitting unit (1) for emitting a flickering visible light; a lighting unit (2) for emitting an infrared ray; an imaging unit (3) for taking an infrared image; and a control unit (4); wherein: the light-emitting unit (3) presents a test subject a flickering visible light with its frequency changing monotonically and stepwise; the imaging unit (3) captures an image of a region containing an eye of the test subject; the control unit (4) finds a pupil diameter of an image of the eye contained in each frame image of the captured image as time-series data, finds a threshold frequency of the test subject at the time of the measurement based on the variation in the pupil diameter and compares the threshold frequency with a threshold frequency when the test subject has no mental fatigue, thereby determining that whether the test subject has mental fatigue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Harada, Sunao Iwaki
  • Patent number: 7686769
    Abstract: Treatment apparatus and method for the enhancement of neurophysiological processes of a patient's visual system utilizes a computer generated display that provides a patient simultaneously with passive visual stimulation images and visual cognitive exercises. The stimulation images include moving elements having edges or points of contrast. The exercises include visual and phonological elements. The invention is used to treat reading, writing and speech disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as having broader applications for example in sports sciences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Cellfield Pty Limited
    Inventor: Dimitri Caplygin
  • Patent number: 7682024
    Abstract: A saccadic motion detector comprised an optical system that focuses light reflected or emitted from the subject's eye onto an optical navigation chip, which connects to circuitry configured to convert analog light from the eye to digital representations motion of the eye, including saccadic eye movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Charles P. Plant, William T. Denman, Craig A. McKeown, Kenneth C. Humphries
  • Publication number: 20100049075
    Abstract: An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ciaran Bolger, Steven W. Arms, Christopher P. Townsend, Kurt R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100045932
    Abstract: Featured is a wireless scleral search coil that includes one or more passive, resonant coils and in a particular embodiment two orthogonal, passive, resonant coils, where each coil resonates at a different frequency. Each resonant coil includes a coil-capacitor circuit, each circuit being configured to resonant at a different frequency. Such a wireless scleral search coil is disposed within a biocompatible material that is shaped to conform and rest upon the eye of a subject. Also featured are system including such a wireless scleral search coil, one or more transmitter coils, an assembly of one or more receiver coils and a calculating sub-system for processing signal data to obtain eye measurement information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Mark John Shelhamer, Dale Charles Roberts
  • Publication number: 20100036386
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, including surgical apparatus for performing intraocular implant surgery, an autorefraction device associated with the surgical apparatus, wherein the autorefraction device is configured to perform autorefraction on the aphakic eye to provide one or more aphakic refraction measurements, and a processor connected to the autorefraction device, wherein the processor is configured to process the aphakic refraction measurements and provide the user of the apparatus with information regarding the power of the intraocular lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Tsontcho Ianchulev
  • Publication number: 20100030089
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are described that include monitoring at least one attribute of an individual during an artificial sensory experience while the individual is under the influence of a bioactive agent, identifying at least one characteristic of the artificial sensory experience that is proximate to a desired change in the at least one attribute of the individual, and/or modifying at least one of the artificial sensory experience or the bioactive agent at least partly based on the identifying at least one characteristic of the artificial sensory experience that is proximate to the desired change in the at least one attribute of the individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20100016754
    Abstract: A system for detecting abnormal eye movement in a subject to indicate possible impairment of the subject. The subject may be presented with a visual pattern to observe. The visual pattern may cause the subject's eyes to move. Images of the eye movements may be captured. An eye motion pattern may be computed from the images. The eye motion pattern may be classified relative to other eye motion patterns or a guide. The classification may indicate whether there appears to be an abnormal movement of the eye and thus an impairment of the subject. An identification of the subject may be obtained according to a biometric from the images and used to retrieve the subject's baseline eye motion pattern. A comparison of the computed eye motion pattern and the baseline eye motion pattern may indicate whether there is abnormal movement of the eye and thus an impairment of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rand Whillock, Isaac Cohen, Alexander Walsh
  • Publication number: 20100010371
    Abstract: Provided are a device, system, and method for treating a patient having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other such psychiatric disorder. An event being recounted by the patient is recorded and a sensory environment of the patient is controlled so as to administer exposure therapy to the patient. Patient mental state may be monitored during administration of the exposure therapy to the patient, and the exposure therapy may be varied in correspondence to the monitored mental state of the patient. In one embodiment, hierarchy assembly means creates a treatment hierarchy based on input from the patient, and hierarchy navigation means navigates within the treatment hierarchy in response to the mental state of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Claudia Zayfert, James Albert Cartreine
  • Publication number: 20100010370
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for calibrating and normalizing eye data of one or more subjects prior to and/or during emotional testing of the subjects. In particular, initially performing one or more calibration or normalization operations prior to an emotional test of a subject may result in accurate evaluations of emotional responses based on measurements of eye data. Additionally, further calibration or normalization performed during the emotional test may be used to refine the initial calibration or normalization, further increasing the accuracy of the evaluated emotional responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Jakob DE LEMOS, Ole Baunbaek Jensen, Golam Reza Sadeghnia
  • Publication number: 20100010366
    Abstract: A method of evaluating the response of a subject to visual features of a visual display, the method including the steps of: (a) presenting a visual display having particular visual features to the subject during a first period; (b) determining brain activity of the subject during the first period; (c) presenting reference display material to a subject during a second period; (d) determining reference brain activity of the subject during the second period; (e) tracking the gaze position of at least one of the eyes of the subject on the visual display during the first period; and (f) evaluating the response of the subject to particular visual features of the visual display by determining differences in brain activity determined between steps (b) and (d) when the gaze of the subject is directed at the particular features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Bernard Silberstein
  • Publication number: 20100002916
    Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus for assisting an observer who observes an observed person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20090327068
    Abstract: A system performs stimulus targeting using neuro-physiological and neuro-behavioral data. Subjects are exposed to stimulus material such as marketing and entertainment materials and data is collected using mechanisms such as Electroencephalography (EEG), Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), Electrocardiograms (EKG), Electrooculography (EOG), eye tracking, and facial emotion encoding. Neuro-physiological and neuro-behavioral data collected is analyzed to select targeted stimulus materials. The targeted stimulus materials are provided to particular subjects for a variety of purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: NEUROFOCUS INC.
    Inventors: Anantha Pradeep, Robert T. Knight, Ramachandran Gurumoorthy
  • Publication number: 20090312668
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described relating to activating at least one consolidated memory of an individual; presenting an indication of at least one memory-dampening agent to the individual; and presenting to the individual at least one artificial sensory experience for reconsolidation of the at least one consolidated memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090312624
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for analysis of electromagnetic activity of prefrontal cortex neurons in subjects are provided. The methods, apparatuses, and systems of the present invention can be used as a means to screen for cognitive modulators. They can be used to predict the effects of compounds such as psychostimulants and other drugs on prefrontal cortex-dependent cognition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Craig W. Berridge, David M. Devilbiss
  • Publication number: 20090306538
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for determining whether a patient has an abnormally high level of intracranial pressure is described. The method includes using a pupillometer to obtain pupillary response data from the patient. The pupillary response data can be representative of one or more pupillary response characteristics of the patient. The method further includes providing a data analysis system comprising a microprocessor that is in communication with the pupillometer. The microprocessor includes an algorithm that converts the pupillary response data to a scalar value that is indicative of the patient's level of intracranial pressure. The microprocessor can be a stand-alone computer connected to the pupillometer or it can be integral with the pupillometer. The method further includes using the data analysis system to derive a scalar value based on the pupillary response data from the patient, wherein the scalar value is indicative of the patient's level of intracranial pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Kamran Siminou
  • Publication number: 20090299209
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting a microsleep event in a subject. The method includes determining a number of eye openness factors by measuring a number of distances between an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid of at least one eye over a time period. Graphical representations of the eye openness factors are then generated. Changes in the eye openness factors over the time period are correlated with a reference eye closure pattern indicative of the microsleep event. Also disclosed is a microsleep event detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Effective Control Transport, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno Farbos
  • Publication number: 20090292223
    Abstract: An electro-oculography apparatus 100 includes: an eye potential measuring unit that measures an eye potential generated by an eye movement and outputs an eye potential original signal; a minimum filtering unit 121 or a maximum filtering unit 123 each of which outputs a first eye potential signal by applying one of a maximum value filtering and a minimum value filtering to the eye potential original signal; and a maximum filtering unit 122 or a minimum filtering unit 124 each of which outputs a second eye potential signal by applying the other of the maximum value filtering and the minimum value filtering to the first eye potential signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Toshiyasu SUGIO, Daisuke SATO
  • Publication number: 20090281450
    Abstract: The visual and cognitive skills of a subject may be tested and/or trained by providing a visual stimulus to a subject. More particularly, a subject may be tested and/or trained when under a stress condition to determine the effect of a stress condition, such as a physical stress or a cognitive stress, on the subject's visual and sensory skills. A response may be received from a subject via an input device, the appropriateness of which may depend upon the stimulus provided to the subject. Behavioral information and other data regarding the performance of a subject and the possible effect of the stress condition may be recorded. Scoring may be based upon the speed, accuracy, and other aspects of the performance of a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: ALAN W. REICHOW, HERB YOO
  • Publication number: 20090270758
    Abstract: A device is disclosed which comprises a display adapted to display a sequence of rapidly alternating images, and a keypad electrically coupled to the display, for entering a perceived sequence by a user. The device is configured to compare a perceived sequence input by the user to the displayed sequence, and to measure the speed of visual perception of the user. Also disclosed are methods of visually, non-invasively assessing an individual's speed of visual perception (visual window of integration), or detecting any changes that have occurred in the individual's speed of visual perception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: David M. Eagleman, Matthew P. Fiesta, Chess A. Stetson
  • Publication number: 20090270717
    Abstract: An apparatus that can discriminate various conditions of neurological health of a medical subject. The apparatus and method use the Frequency Doubling Technique to obtain data that is indicative of a state of health of a person being tested. Correlations to features such as for patterns of loss such as point-wise loss, peripheral vs. central loss, pattern standard deviation, mean deviation, and time to complete the test can be used to identify the condition of the person. The apparatus and method thereby provide guidance as to the presence of a medical condition in a patient. The apparatus and method can be used in an iterative measurement process, in which the apparatus attempts to discern normal health from a state of health that is not normal health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Newman
  • Patent number: 7596400
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode detector, which comprises a contact electrode part adjustable to tissue, or being in touch with it and which contact electrode part is for monitoring biopotential or other physical magnitude, a conducting wire (2) attached to the contact electrode part, electroconductive material, non-electroconductive material and electronics processing the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventors: Antti Valjakka, Arto Urtti, Janne Ahonen
  • Patent number: 7594122
    Abstract: This invention provides an EEG-based method of determining whether a test subject is a specific individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: WaveSynch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Milgramm, Alex Imas
  • Publication number: 20090227891
    Abstract: A method of testing for an ocular disease in an eye includes measuring a condition of the eye to receive a first value, placing an instrument adjacent the surface of the eye, changing the pressure in the eye using the instrument after measuring the condition, measuring the condition of the eye, after changing the pressure, to receive a second value, and comparing the first value to the second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Gholam A. Peyman, Shin Yeneya
  • Publication number: 20090216092
    Abstract: The present system for analyzing eye responses to automatically detect deception obtains a series of digital image frames from a headset. This system precisely controls the illumination generated by the headset to bias the subject's pupils and automatically and precisely determine the subject's pupil location, size, and responsiveness. These measurements enable the system for analyzing eye responses to automatically detect deception by accurately measuring the subject's involuntary pupillary responses to questions posed by an examiner. These measurements can be used exclusively or in combination with one or more of the standard elements of the polygraph machine to automatically detect deception.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: AcuNetx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Waldorf, Barbara Mauch
  • Publication number: 20090216107
    Abstract: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) has been identified in patients taking natalizumab (NMAB) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). This patent application provides a novel method of patient screening and monitoring intended to decrease the risk of PML and other opportunistic central nervous system (CNS) diseases in patients undergoing MS therapy with NMAB, and proposes a novel method of screening and monitoring intended to decrease the risk of opportunistic disease processes of the CNS during the treatment of other medical disorders with NMAB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Keith H. Rubin, Steven Glazer
  • Patent number: 7578795
    Abstract: A system and method for performing a vision examination includes displaying a series of visual stimuli for observation by a patient and detecting the patient's visual evoked potentials in response to the visual stimuli. Electrical signals representative of the visual evoked potentials for each stimulus of each series of visual stimuli displayed is amplified, converted to digitized data, recorded and measured. The measured visual evoked potential data is then evaluated and compared to certain predetermined values in order to detect whether or not the measured data is reliable. Data outside of predetermined ranges of values is considered faulty data. For example, the measured data is compared to a maximum value of the output of an amplifier used to enhance the electrical signals, to a predetermined value of the Fourier component at 60 Hz; and to certain ranges to determine if the measured data are outside of expected limits. The occurrence of such data outside these ranges is faulty data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Diopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: George Z. Hu, Vance Marc Zemon, Peter Derr
  • Publication number: 20090198148
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of collecting elements of and assembling various portions of ocular micro motions such as ocular micro-tremor (OMT) movements of the eye, and correlating them directly with OMT waveforms acquired from both known and unknown states of cognition and cognitive function. Comparing newly acquired waveforms from patients with undiagnosed cognitive dysfunctions, permits an individual or caregiver the ability to identify those unknown issues or cognitive states based on matching or relating statistically elements of their waveform with categories of other known cognitive processing normals and abnormals, functional and dysfunctional individuals. It also allows for measuring the effects of therapeutic agents (psychological or pharmacological) by relating them to measurable changes in cognitive function as a result of correlated changes in waveforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Martin L. Lonky
  • Patent number: 7556604
    Abstract: A cognitive capacity measuring device utilizes an image display unit for displaying different kinds of images that have been degraded from an original photographic object. A subject can provide an input when he/she discerns the photographic object in the degraded image. Recognition time periods are recorded and matched with predetermined challenge level data parameters to calculate a cognitive capacity of the subject. A statistically significant number of test subjects provide recognition times relative to a specific degraded image so that a normal distribution from a frequency distribution of the number of subjects in relationship to a logarithm of the recognition times can be determined. The normal distribution along with the challenge level parameters can provide an indication of the subject's cognitive capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Publication number: 20090171240
    Abstract: A computationally efficient and robust approach for monitoring the instantaneous pupil response as a correlate to significant cognitive response to relevant stimuli derives data samples d(n) of the pupil diameter (area), v(n) of pupil velocity and a(n) of pupil acceleration from the pupillary response and segments the data samples into a sequence of time-shifted windows. A feature extractor extracts a plurality of spatio-temporal pupil features from the data samples from the response and baseline periods in each window. A classifier trained to detect patterns of the extracted spatio-temporal pupil features for relevant stimuli generates an output indicative of the occurrence of absence of a significant cognitive response in the subject to a relevant stimulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: TELEDYNE SCIENTIFIC & IMAGING, LLC
    Inventors: MARIO AGUILAR, Karen N. Zachery, Ming Qian, Claudio M. Privitera
  • Patent number: 7553282
    Abstract: A non-contact tonometer changes a reference signal used for determining reliability of a signal indicating deformation of a cornea based on the reflectance of the cornea of an eye to be examined. Thus, the non-contact tonometer can perform stable measurement irrespective of the reflectance of the cornea of the eye to be examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshifumi Masaki
  • Publication number: 20090163827
    Abstract: A method includes directing toward a portion of a subject's body a first pulse of electromagnetic energy. While the portion is in a functional state due to the first pulse, a second pulse is directed toward the portion. At a second-pulse time, reflected energy due to the second pulse is detected. While the portion is in a functional state due to the first and second pulses, a third pulse is directed toward the portion. At a third-pulse time, energy of the third pulse, reflected from the portion, is detected. In response to detecting the pulses at the second-pulse time and the third-pulse time, a characteristic of the portion is quantified resulting from (a) the functional state due to the first pulse and (b) the functional state due to the first and second pulses. A clinical state of the subject is identified. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: YEDA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD
    Inventors: Amiram Grinvald, Darin Nelson, Harel Primack
  • Publication number: 20090143685
    Abstract: Disease may be detected, monitored, etc. by detecting metabolic dysfunction in a patient's eyes. In one embodiment of an apparatus, an excitation light is generated by an excitation light source to induce autofluorescence in an ocular tissue (e.g., retinal tissue), wherein the excitation light excites flavoprotein autofluorescence (FA) and minimizes the excitation of non-flavoprotein autofluorescence. At least a single image representing the induced ocular tissue autofluorescence is captured. The at least single image is intensified to increase the signal strength of the ocular tissue autofluorescence. The at least single image is analyzed to generate an indicator of whether a patient has one or more of eye damage, a disease that causes eye damage, or to generate an indicator of the progression of a disease, an indicator of the effectiveness of a treatment, a personalized treatment for a subject, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Victor M. Elner, Howard R. Petty, Matthew G. Field
  • Publication number: 20090136423
    Abstract: This invention relates to the assessment of individuals with first-episode psychosis (FEP) or an at risk mental state (ARMS) using visuospatial associative learning tests such as paired associates learning (PAL). Visuospatial associative learning ability as determined by such tests may be prognostic of the severity of psychosis in FEP patients and diagnostic of psychosis in ARMS patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Barbara Sahakian, Edward Bullmore, Jennifer Barnett, Peter Jones
  • Patent number: 7512436
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the retinal auto-fluorescence of a subject retina includes an excitation light source for providing an excitation light at a wavelength of at least 450 nm and an image capture device for recording an ocular auto-fluorescence signal generated in response to the excitation light. The image capture device includes a filter for reducing background non-signal wavelengths from the ocular auto-fluorescence signal and an image intensifier for increasing the ocular auto-fluorescence signal strength. The method and apparatus may further include a processor that analyzes the ocular auto-fluorescence signal to determine a contrast change or pattern to thereby detect retinal disease or damage. The processor may compare the images with control images, past images of the same eye or other diagnostic modalities such as fundus photography, angiography, or visual field testing to detect the retinal disease or damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Howard R. Petty, Victor M. Elner
  • Patent number: 7504959
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gas detection uses a sensor such as an electrochemical (EC) cell and includes a feedback control loop to control a pump to establish a first predetermined gas flow rate to the EC cell. The concentration of the gas at the first predetermined flow rate is measured. If the detected concentration exceeds a predetermined Alert value at the first flow rate an Initial Warning without remedial action is generated, and, the system then changes the gas flow rate before an Alarm is indicated. An Alarm is signaled only if the system verifies the first measurement. Preferably the first flow rate is set to optimize the measurement accuracy of the EC cell being used, and the second flow rate is lower than the first. Verification of an Alarm at the first flow rate may be conducted quickly by a quick-reaction process. The controller may periodically cycle the flow rates between the first and second rates for better accuracy and faster verification times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell Analytics AG
    Inventors: John A. Tiwet, Cary S. Stone, Richard A. Gorny, John Chapples, Ian Robins
  • Publication number: 20090062686
    Abstract: A method may include providing an output comprising a presentation format to an end user. The output may be provided for user-based interaction. An interactive response from the end user may be measured in response to the presentation format of the output, where the interactive response may be indicative of at least one physiological condition regarding the end user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Royce A. Levien, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood, Dennis J. Rivet
  • Patent number: 7494220
    Abstract: A method and associated system improve accuracy in objective refraction measurements by including the measured distance between the photoreceptors of a subject's eye and the scattering location of light during the objective refraction measurements. Chromatic aberrations in the objective measurements are also compensated. The distance between the photoreceptors and the scattering location may be determined by adjusting a distance between a rotating speckled light pattern and an eye until the speckled light pattern appears to be stationary, or by employing a Scheiner disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard James Copland
  • Patent number: 7488294
    Abstract: Biosensor, communicator, and/or controller apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring movement of a person's eye. The apparatus includes a device configured to be worn on a user's head, a light source for directing light towards one or both eyes of the user, one or more image guides on the device for viewing one or both eyes of the user, and one or more cameras carried on the device and coupled to the image guides for acquiring images of the eyes and/or the user's surroundings. The apparatus may include a cable and/or a transmitter for transmitting image data from the camera to a remote location, e.g., to processor and/or display for analyzing and/or displaying the image data. A system including the apparatus may be used to monitor one or more oculometric parameters, e.g., pupillary response, and/or to control a computer using the user's eyes instead of a mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Inventor: William C. Torch
  • Patent number: RE41376
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring movement of a person's eye, e.g., to monitor drowsiness. The system includes a frame that is worn on a person's head, an array of emitters on the frame for directing light towards the person's eye, and an array of sensors on the frame for detecting light from the array of emitters. The sensors detect light that is reflected off of respective portions of the eye or its eyelid, thereby producing output signals indicating when the respective portions of the eye is covered by the eyelid. The emitters project a reference frame towards the eye, and a camera on the frame monitors movement of the eye relative to the reference frame. This movement may be correlated with the signals from the array of sensors and/or with signals from other sensors on the frame to monitor the person's level of drowsiness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: William C. Torch