Computerized electro-oculographic (CEOG) system with feedback control of stimuli

• US 4,474,186 A
• Filed: 03/18/1982
• Issued: 10/02/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1979
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Georgetown University
• Original Assignee: Georgetown University
• Inventors: Golab, Thomas J., Ledley, Robert S., Buas, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/359,682
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 128/731-733, 128/745
• US Class Current: 600/546
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/02 Subjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/377 using evoked responses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4863 Measuring or inducing nystagmus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7203 for noise prevention, reduction or removal

Abstract

A computerized electro-oculographic (CEOG) system with feedback control of test stimuli comprises an integrated system for automated administration of electro-oculographic tests and visual evoked response tests to a patient, automated processing of the results derived from such tests, and automated feedback control of the test stimuli in accordance with the processed test results. The CEOG system is responsive to operator selection of desired stimuli to be administered, as well as to operator specification of various test stimuli characteristics, for automatically administering to the patient the test stimuli having the desired characteristics. Electrode test data derived therefrom are immediately recorded on-line, and are immediately and automatically analyzed to provide critical information for immediate display in acceptable format and in a very short period of time. The integrated CEOG system is especially noteworthy for its use of the analyzed test data to control and vary the test stimuli administered to the patient in accordance with the analyzed tests data results.

Claims

1. An integrated medical testing system for automatically administering test stimuli to a patient, and for automatically varying said test stimuli in accordance with processed test results, comprising:

stimulation control means for automatically administering said test stimuli to said patient;

deriving means for connection to said patient for deriving test data from the patient as a result of the reaction of the patient to said test stimuli; and

processor means connected to said deriving means for processing said derived test data to develop processed test results, and for generating stimulation control signals in accordance therewith wherein said processor means includes a analyzing means which is input with said derived test data and which analyzes said derived test data in accordance with a medical diagnostic testing procedure in order to provide said processed test results;

said stimulation control means being connected to said processor means for receiving said stimulation control signals, and being responsive thereto for varying said test stimuli administered to said patient in accordance therewith.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a patient support means, said stimulation control means comprising a motor and a motor controller means responsive to said stimulation control signals from said processor means for varying the rotation of said patient support means.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said motor controller means provides for rotation of said patient support means for a given number of turns and then stopping said rotation of said support means in response to said stimulation control signals.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said motor controller means provides for stopping of said rotation of said support means in response to said stimulation control signals.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said motor controller rotates said support means in a first direction and wherein said motor controller provides for automatic reversal of the direction of rotation of said support means after a given number of turns by stopping said rotation of said patient support means after said given number of turns, and by rotating said support means in a second direction, opposite to said first direction, for said given number of turns.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said motor controller means provides for desired variation of a speed of rotation of said support means by varying the rotation of said support means in accordance with said desired variation of said speed of rotation in response to said stimulation control signals.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising scanning light source means for generating a scanning light, said stimulation control means being responsive to said stimulation control signals from said processor means for controlling said scanning light source means to generate said scanning light.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said scanning light source means controls movement of said scanning light in at least one direction in response to said stimulation control signals.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising flasher light means for generating a flashing light, said stimulation control means being responsive to said stimulation control signals from said processor means for controlling said flasher light means to generate said flashing light.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said flasher light means controls a frequency of flashing of said flashing light in response to said stimulation control signals.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising optokinetic device means for generating optokinetic test stimuli, said stimulation control means being responsive to said stimulation control signals from said processor means for controlling said optokinetic device means to generate said optokinetic test stimuli.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said optokinetic test stimuli comprises a rotating pattern of stripes in response to said stimulation control signals for controlling a direction of rotation of said rotating pattern of stripes.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said optokinetic test stimuli comprises a rotating pattern of stripes in response to said stimulation control signals for controlling a speed of rotation of said rotating pattern of stripes.