Concussion Screening System

• US 20170124699A1
• Filed: 10/29/2015
• Published: 05/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Lane, John A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,506,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0042 for the brain
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/19 Sensors therefor

Abstract

A concussion screening device includes an illumination unit, an image sensor array, a processing unit, and system memory. The concussion screening device displays stimuli on the illumination unit and receives a plurality of images on the image sensor array. The stimuli correspond to a concussion test. The processor processes the plurality of images, which includes detecting one or more pupils of an evaluated person during the concussion test. Based on the processing, the concussion screening device determines whether or not an evaluated person has suffered a concussion. The results are displayed to a user and/or the evaluated person.

Claims

1. A concussion diagnostic device, comprising:

an illumination unit;

an image sensor array;

a processing unit in communication with the illumination unit and the image sensor array; and

system memory, the system memory including instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the concussion diagnostic device to;

illuminate the illumination unit to display stimuli;

on the image sensor array, receive a plurality of images;

process the plurality of images; and

based on processing the plurality of images, determine whether or not a person is concussed.

2. The concussion diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the illumination unit includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

3. The concussion diagnostic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of LEDs include amber LEDs;

and

wherein the illumination unit is configured to operate the amber LEDs at low to medium power.

4. The concussion diagnostic device of claim 2, wherein processing the plurality of images includes detecting a state of a pupil of the person.

5. The concussion diagnostic device of claim 4, further comprising a light block.

6. The concussion diagnostic device of claim 1, further comprising a rear display, wherein the system memory further includes instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the rear display to:

provide guidance to a user in positioning the concussion diagnostic device; and

display the determination whether the person is concussed.

7. The concussion diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the system memory further includes instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the illumination unit to display a concussion test.

8. The concussion diagnostic device of claim 7, wherein the image sensor array is capable of capturing at least 20 frames per second.

9. A method for determining a concussion status of a person, comprising:

displaying stimuli on an illumination unit, wherein the illumination unit is in communication with a processing unit;

receiving a plurality of images on an image sensor array, wherein the image sensor array is in communication with the processing unit;

processing the plurality of images; and

based on processing the plurality of images, determining whether or not the person has suffered a concussion.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the processing of the plurality of images includes detecting a state of a pupil of the person.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the processing of the plurality of images further includes determining a motion of the pupil across the plurality of images.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the processing of the plurality of images further includes comparing the motion of the pupil to a criteria;

and

wherein the determining whether the person has suffered the concussion is based on comparison of the motion of the pupil to the criteria.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing guidance to a user in positioning a housing during the determining the concussion status of the person, wherein the housing supports the illumination unit, the processing unit, and the image sensor array; and

displaying a determination whether the person has suffered the concussion.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein displaying stimuli includes illuminating a plurality of amber light-emitting diodes;

and

further comprising notifying the user of the determination whether the person has suffered the concussion.

15. A concussion screening apparatus, comprising:

a display;

an image sensor array;

a processing unit in communication with the display and the image sensor array; and

system memory, the system memory including instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the concussion screening apparatus to;

display stimuli on the display, wherein the stimuli are associated with a concussion test;

receive a plurality of images on the image sensor array;

process the plurality of images;

based on processing the plurality of images, determine whether a person is concussed; and

notify a user of the determination whether or not the person is concussed.

16. The concussion screening apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a light-blocking element;

and

wherein the image sensor array is capable of capturing at least 20 frames per second.

17. The concussion screening apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) including a plurality of amber LEDs;

and

wherein the display is configured to operate the plurality of amber LEDs at low to medium power.

18. The concussion screening apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a microphone in communication with the processing unit; and

a rear display in communication with the processing unit,

wherein the system memory further includes instructions that, when executed by the processing unit, cause the concussion screening apparatus to;

process spoken words received by the microphone;

on the rear display, provide guidance to the user in positioning the concussion screening apparatus; and

on the rear display, indicate whether the person is concussed.

19. The concussion screening apparatus of claim 18, wherein processing the plurality of images includes detecting a pupil of the person.

20. The concussion screening apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processing of the plurality of images further includes:

determining a motion of the pupil across the plurality of images;

comparing the motion of the pupil to a criteria; and

wherein the determining whether the person is concussed is based on comparison of the motion of the pupil to the criteria.