Method of training and rehabilitating brain function using hemi-lenses

• US 5,886,769 A
• Filed: 05/18/1998
• Issued: 03/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services, LLC
• Original Assignee: Comprehensive Neuropsychological Services, LLC
• Inventors: Zolten, A. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/080,748
• Time in Patent Office: 309 Days
• Field of Search: 351/219, 351/44, 351/45, 351/46, 351/47, 351/48, 351/49, 351/160 R, 351/161, 351/162, 351/163
• US Class Current: 351/219
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2202/10 Optical elements and systems for visual disorders other than refractive errors, low vision
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/001 specially adapted for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for or not fully classifiable according to technical characteristics, e.g. therapeutic glasses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/04 Contact lenses for the eyes disinfection or sterilisation of contact lenses A61L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/104 having spectral characteristics for purposes other than sun-protection
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/105 having inhomogeneously distributed colouring

Abstract

A method of rehabilitation or training of targeted portions of the brain in which hemi-lenses having semi-opaque radial segments selectively blind portions of the visual processing areas of the brain to force visual processing to a particular portion of the brain which is thereby stimulated. Such rehabilitation consists of having the patient perform visual and non-visual tasks constructed to activate processing in the targeted portion of the brain. The hemi-lenses may be employed in a series of gradually increased translucency to allow the patient'"'"'s visual system to adapt in stages to the rehabilitated balance between intact visual processing and relearned visual processing.

Claims

1. A method of training and rehabilitation of targeted areas of the brain of a person, comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a contact lens on each eye of the person, said contact lens having occluded areas selected so as to force visual processing to the targeted area of the brain, said occluded areas having a degree of opacity allowing some visual processing to be conducted in non-targeted areas of the brain;

(b) having the person perform visual and non-visual tasks selected to stimulated the targeted area of the brain;

(c) adapting the person'"'"'s visual processing in stages by repeating steps (a) and (b) using contact lenses having occluded areas of gradually decreasing opacity.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said occluded areas comprise radial segments of said contact lens.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said degree of opacity of said occluded area is between 90% and 10%.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said contact lens further comprises means for preventing rotation of said contact lens on the eye of the person.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said radial segment occludes substantially greater than 180 degrees of said contact lens.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said radial segment occludes substantially less than 180 degrees of said contact lens.