Handheld Radio Device for Assessing Cognitive, Auditory, Visual, and Speech Function

• US 20200029885A1
• Filed: 07/30/2018
• Published: 01/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Yanagi, Matthew A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,638,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0204 Acoustic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/06 Arrangements of multiple sensors of different types
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/10 Objective types, i.e. instruments for examining the eyes independent of the patients' perceptions or reactions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/123 subjective methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/125 objective methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4803 Speech analysis specially adapted for diagnostic purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7465 Arrangements for interactive communication between patient and care services, e.g. by using a telephone network telemetry of measured physiological signal A61B5/0002
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving

Abstract

A handheld radio device that incorporates within equipment typically carried by a first-responder but with added functionality which enables assessments of a subject'"'"'s cognitive, auditory, visual, and speech function. In addition to providing two-way tactical radio functionality, the handheld radio device operates to generate haptic, audible, and visual stimuli, and then assess a subject utilizing the handheld radio device based on the subject'"'"'s responses to the stimuli on the interfaces and sensors of the handheld radio device. Because this functionality is provided in equipment this is already typically carried by the first-responder, assessments that are more forward-deployed and closer to the point and time of injury, exposure, or period of interest can occur.

Claims

1. An apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function, comprising:

a handheld radio device having a body that includes at least an internal controller and an internal battery, wherein said body includes an integral microphone, vibrator, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and global positioning system interface which are each operatively connected to said controller;

a communications system integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to provide two-way tactical radio communication functionality that utilizes multiple VHF/UHF or cellular frequency bands through said communications system;

a user talk interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said user talk interface is adapted to activate the integral microphone in response to predetermined action from a user;

a sound interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to transduce electrical audio signals with said sound interface;

at least one mechanical tactile interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said at least one mechanical tactile interface is adapted to generate electrical input signals in response to physical contact from a user with the at least one mechanical tactile interface;

a display interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate at least one selected visual output by said display interface;

at least one visual indicator integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said at least one visual indicator is adapted to modify its visual appearance in response to an electrical output signal from the controller; and

wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate sensory stimuli through at least one of the vibrator, sound interface, the display interface, and the at least one visual indicator as well as assess a subject utilizing the handheld radio device based on at least one of (1) an interaction by the subject with at least one of the integral microphone and the at least one mechanical tactile interface and (2) a real time status of the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and global positioning system interface following the generation of sensory stimuli.

2. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 1, wherein the display interface additionally configured to generate electrical display input signals in response to physical contact from a user with the display interface.

3. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 2, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to assess the subject utilizing the handheld radio device based on display input signals generated following the generation of sensory stimuli.

4. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 1, wherein said at least one mechanical tactile interface is defined by a keypad.

5. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 1, wherein said at least one visual indicator is defined by an indicator light.

6. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 1, wherein said at least one visual indicator is defined by a plurality of indicator lights.

7. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 6, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate sensory stimuli as well as assess the subject utilizing the handheld radio device through an assessment software application that is stored on memory in said handheld radio device and that contains instructions executable by said controller.

8. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 1, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate sensory stimuli as well as assess the subject utilizing the handheld radio device through an assessment software application that is stored on memory in said handheld radio device and that contains instructions executable by said controller.

17. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 2, additionally comprising at least one mechanical tactile interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said at least one mechanical tactile interface is adapted to generate electrical input signals in response to physical contact from a user with the at least one mechanical tactile interface.

18. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 17, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to assess the subject utilizing the handheld radio device based on electrical input signals generated following the generation of sensory stimuli.

9. An apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and speech function, comprising:

a handheld radio device having a body that includes at least an internal controller and an internal battery, wherein said body includes an integral microphone, vibrator, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and global positioning system interface which are each operatively connected to said controller;

a communications system integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to provide two-way tactical radio communication functionality that utilizes multiple VHF/UHF or cellular frequency bands through said communications system;

a user talk interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said user talk interface is adapted to activate the integral microphone in response to predetermined action from a user;

a sound interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to transduce electrical audio signals with said sound interface;

at least one mechanical tactile interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said at least one mechanical tactile interface is adapted to generate electrical input signals in response to physical contact from a user with the at least one mechanical tactile interface;

a display interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate at least one selected visual output by said display interface;

at least one visual indicator integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said at least one visual indicator is adapted to modify its visual appearance in response to an electrical output signal from the controller; and

wherein said handheld radio device is configured to selectively generate sensory stimuli through the vibrator, sound interface, the display interface, and the at least one visual indicator as well as assess a subject utilizing the handheld radio device based on (1) an interaction by the subject with at least one of the integral microphone and the at least one mechanical tactile interface and (2) a real time status of the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and global positioning system interface following the generation of sensory stimuli.

10. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 9, wherein the display interface additionally configured to generate electrical display input signals in response to physical contact from a user with display interface.

11. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 10, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to assess the subject utilizing the handheld radio device based on display input signals generated following the generation of sensory stimuli.

12. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 10, wherein said at least one mechanical tactile interface is defined by a keypad.

13. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 10, wherein said at least one visual indicator is defined by a plurality of indicator lights.

14. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 13, wherein at least two of said plurality of indicator lights are positioned on opposing sides of said body.

15. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 9, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate sensory stimuli as well as assess the subject utilizing the handheld radio device through an assessment software application that is stored on memory in said handheld radio device and that contains instructions executable by said controller.

16. An apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function, comprising:

a handheld radio device having a body that includes at least an internal controller and an internal battery, wherein said body includes an integral microphone, vibrator, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and global positioning system interface which are each operatively connected to said controller;

a communications system integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to provide two-way tactical radio communication functionality that utilizes multiple VHF/UHF or cellular frequency bands through said communications system;

a user talk interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said user talk interface is adapted to activate the integral microphone in response to predetermined action from a user;

a sound interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to transduce electrical audio signals with said sound interface;

a display interface integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate at least one selected visual output by said display interface and to generate electrical display input signals in response to physical contact from a user with display interface;

at least one visual indicator integral with said body and connected to said controller, wherein said at least one visual indicator is adapted to modify its visual appearance in response to an electrical output signal from the controller; and

wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate sensory stimuli through at least one of the vibrator, sound interface, the display interface, and the at least one visual indicator as well as assess a subject utilizing the handheld radio device based on at least one of (1) an interaction by the subject with at least one of the integral microphone and the display interface and (2) a real time status of the accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, and global positioning system interface following the generation of sensory stimuli.

19. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 16, wherein said at least one visual indicator is defined by a plurality of indicator lights at least two of said plurality of indicator lights are positioned on opposing sides of said body.

20. The apparatus for assessing cognitive, auditory, visual, and/or speech function of claim 16, wherein said handheld radio device is configured to generate sensory stimuli as well as assess the subject utilizing the handheld radio device through an assessment software application that is stored on memory in said handheld radio device and that contains instructions executable by said controller.