Brain concussion screening method & apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for real-time screening of an athlete for a reduction in cerebral function resulting from a brain concussion, said method comprising:
- providing a display, a user input device, and an associated computer;
displaying a movable icon on said display, for viewing by an athlete suspected of having sustained a brain concussion;
sequentially altering the location of said icon on said display, under control of said computer, as said athlete attempts to follow said location of said icon;
detecting, with said user input device, said athlete'"'"'s attempted following of said icon;
analyzing, with said computer, said athlete'"'"'s real-time performance at following said icon;
comparing said real-time performance with a previously established baseline performance; and
determining, with said computer, whether said athlete'"'"'s real-time performance exhibits a reduced level of cerebral function indicating the incidence of a brain concussion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting a reduction in cerebral function of an athlete, indicating the incidence of a brain concussion, by displaying a moving icon on a screen, and asking the athlete to track the movements of the icon, by following it either with the eyes or by touching a touch screen. The icon can be displayed on a device fixedly positioned relative to the head of the athlete, or on an interactive touch screen display. The athlete'"'"'s performance is tested in real time, soon after the possible incidence of a concussion. The performance of the athlete can be compared to that particular person'"'"'s history of test results, or to a data base of test results of other test subjects. Control of the display, tracking of the athlete'"'"'s gaze or touch, and analysis of the test results, can all be performed by a computer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for real-time screening of an athlete for a reduction in cerebral function resulting from a brain concussion, said method comprising:
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providing a display, a user input device, and an associated computer; displaying a movable icon on said display, for viewing by an athlete suspected of having sustained a brain concussion; sequentially altering the location of said icon on said display, under control of said computer, as said athlete attempts to follow said location of said icon; detecting, with said user input device, said athlete'"'"'s attempted following of said icon; analyzing, with said computer, said athlete'"'"'s real-time performance at following said icon; comparing said real-time performance with a previously established baseline performance; and determining, with said computer, whether said athlete'"'"'s real-time performance exhibits a reduced level of cerebral function indicating the incidence of a brain concussion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for real-time testing of the cerebral function of an athlete suspected of having sustained a brain concussion, comprising:
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a computerized display, said display being adapted to display an icon for viewing by said athlete; a computer adapted to move said icon around said display; and a gaze tracking device on said display adapted to detect the direction of said athlete'"'"'s gaze; said computer being programmed to; detect, with said gaze tracking device, the direction of said athlete'"'"'s gaze relative to the location of said icon; analyze, in real-time, said athlete'"'"'s performance at directing said athlete'"'"'s gaze at said icon; and determine, in real-time, whether said athlete'"'"'s real-time performance indicates a reduced level of cerebral function indicating the incidence of a brain concussion. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An apparatus for real-time testing of the cerebral function of an athlete suspected of having sustained a brain concussion, comprising:
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a computerized interactive touch screen, said touch screen being adapted to display an icon for viewing by said athlete; and a computer adapted to move said icon around said touch screen; said computer being programmed to; detect the location of said athlete'"'"'s touch on said touch screen relative to the location of said icon on said touch screen; analyze, in real-time, said athlete'"'"'s performance at following said icon with said athlete'"'"'s touch on said touch screen; and determine, in real-time, whether said athlete'"'"'s real-time performance indicates a reduced level of cerebral function indicating the incidence of a brain concussion.
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Specification