ELECTROMAGNETIC BEAM DETECTION SYSTEM

• US 20090046246A1
• Filed: 08/16/2007
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colin A. Ross
• Original Assignee: Colin A. Ross
• Inventors: Ross, Colin A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,806,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions

Abstract

The present invention provides for a Line of Sight (LOS) electromagnetic beam (EM) detection system configured with an enclosure, a detection device, a processing device, a storage device, and a communication device. The enclosure may or may not be electromagnetically shielded from the surrounding environment. The enclosure may contain one or more detection devices and one or more portals configured for a user to look through. The detection devices may be a non-contacting, active-dry electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode or a high input impedance EEG electrode. The processing device may be a specifically programmed general purpose computer. The communication device may be auditory and/or visual. The storage device may store signals from the detection device for later analysis and statistical manipulation. In some embodiments, the LOS detection system may be used as a switch responding to interaction with a LOS beam emanating from an ocular cavity.

Claims

1. A system for detecting an electromagnetic beam comprising:

an enclosure configured to facilitate visual access for an eye and containing a detecting device comprising at least one electrode configured to produce an output corresponding to an electromagnetic field emanating through the eye;

a processing device configured to receive the output from the detecting device; and

a communication device configured to provide feedback communication corresponding to the output from the detecting device.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising electromagnetic shielding for the enclosure.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode is a high input impedance electrode with an input impedance in the range of 10⁷Ω

to 10¹⁵Ω

.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one speaker for the communication device.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the at least one speaker comprises a pair of headphones.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a visual display device for the communication device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the visual display device comprises an illuminated bar graph.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises substantially a bottomed cylinder adapted to conform to an area surrounding the eye.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a container adapted to conform to an area surrounding the eye.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrode comprises a plurality of electrodes.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of electrodes are provided substantially equidistant from the eye.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising a storage device configured to store the feedback communication.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising a storage device configured to store the output from the detection device.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the visual access for the eye comprises at least one portal contained in a wall of the enclosure.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is at least partially transparent.

16. A method of detecting an electromagnetic field emanating via an ocular cavity of a skull comprising the steps of:

positioning an eye of a subject in visual communication with a detection device comprising at least one electrode configured to produce an output corresponding to an electromagnetic field and contained within an enclosure of a beam detection system; and

alternating between observing the at least one electrode and looking away from the at least one electrode.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising transmitting a feedback communication corresponding to the output of the at least one electrode.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising storing at least one of the feedback communication and the output of the at least one electrode.

19. An apparatus for detecting an electromagnetic field emanating via an eye, wherein the apparatus comprises:

an enclosure containing a detection device comprising at least one electrode configured to produce an output corresponding to an electromagnetic field; and

an opening configured to establish a communication pathway between the eye and the detection device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

another electrode configured to produce an output corresponding to an electromagnetic field and removed from a line of sight of the at least one electrode; and

a reflective member configured to establish a communication pathway between the eye and the other electrode via the reflective member.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one electrode further comprises a plurality of electrodes configured to produce a plurality of output corresponding to an electromagnetic field and provided substantially equidistant from the eye when the eye is proximate to the opening.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the enclosure further contains an illuminating device.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one electrode is a high input impedance electrode with an input impedance in the range of 10⁷Ω

to 10¹⁵Ω

.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the enclosure is electromagnetically shielded.

25. A system for detecting an electromagnetic field comprising:

an enclosure containing at least one portal configured to facilitate visual access for an eye;

at least one high input impedance electrode configured to produce an output corresponding to an electromagnetic field with an input impedance in the range of 10⁷Ω

to 10¹⁵Ω

contained within the enclosure;

a processing device configured to receive the output from the electrode; and

a communication device configured to provide feedback communication corresponding to the output from the electrode.