Use of virtual reality and desk top computer formats to diagnose executive dysfunctions

• US 6,503,085 B1
• Filed: 10/12/2000
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Elkind
• Original Assignee: James Elkind
• Inventors: Elkind, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASTORINO, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US09/689,145
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 600/300-301, 128/920-925, 128/897-898, 434/236, 434/29, 434/419, 273/459-461, 273/317.1
• US Class Current: 434/236
• 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 5/165 Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/20 for electronic clinical trials or questionnaires
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

The present invention includes using computer simulation and virtual reality (VR) tests for determining categories of neuropsychological dysfunctions, including executive dysfunctions. A test subject interacts with a computer generated simulated environment according to a predetermined test script. The test script presents a simulated environment of sight and sound which can closely mirror a real activity, such as daily routines performed by everyone; or an environment such as a game played by the subject. The test script is designed to present situations where subjects with executive dysfunctions will interact and make decisions which indicate the dysfunctions. During the testing, other physiological measurements may be measured and recorded, including subject respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, skin changes etc. The results of the testing are interpreted by scoring the subject'"'"'s reactions, and provide an indication of the subject'"'"'s dysfunctioning. These results may be used along with other standardized tests as known in the art, to produce a complete prognosis.

Claims

1. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction comprising:

at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario wherein distinct neuropsychological dysfunctions are determined;

an interactive computer generated simulated environment based on said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario; and

a diagnostic scenario processor communicating with said interactive computer generated simulated environment and being configured to receive input from a subject interacting with said interactive computer generated simulated environment to determine a neuropsychological dysfunction diagnosis of said subject.

2. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 1, further comprising a test administrator input communicating with said [test] diagnostic scenario processor and being configured to receive input from a test administrator for modifying said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario.

3. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 2, wherein said interactive computer generated simulated environment provides at least one question to said subject based on said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario whereby said at least one question is modifiable by said test administrator.

4. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 3 wherein said interactive computer generated simulated environment provides a plurality of questions and said modification includes omission of a portion of said plurality of questions.

5. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of predetermined test scenarios such that said test administrator may substitute portions of said plurality of predetermined diagnostic scenarios.

6. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 2, wherein said interactive computer generated simulated environment provides a plurality of questions to said subject based on said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario and said test administrator modifies said plurality of questions when said input of said subject includes perseverations.

7. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario includes a sequence of real life events and said interactive computer generated simulated environment provides at least one question to said subject based on said sequence of real life events.

8. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 7, wherein said sequence of real life events includes a beach scene.

9. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario includes a sequence of non-reality events and said interactive computer generated simulated environment provides at least one question to said subject based on said sequence of non-reality events.

10. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of predetermined diagnostic scenarios.

11. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 1, wherein said interactive computer generated simulated environment is substantially immersive.

12. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 1, wherein said interactive computer generated simulated environment is substantially non-immersive.

13. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction as recited in claim 1, wherein said input received from said subject includes physiological measurements.

14. A system for diagnosing neuropsychological dysfunction comprising:

a predetermined diagnostic scenario wherein distinct neuropsychological dysfunctions are determined, said scenario including a sequence of real life events;

an interactive computer generated simulated reality environment based on said predetermined diagnostic scenario, said interactive computer generated simulated reality environment providing a plurality of questions to a subject based on said sequence of real life events;

a diagnostic scenario processor communicating with said interactive computer generated simulated reality environment and being configured to receive input from said subject interacting with said interactive computer generated simulated reality environment to determine a neuropsychological dysfunction diagnosis of said subject; and

a test administrator input communicating with said diagnostic scenario processor and being configured to receive input from a test administrator for modifying said predetermined diagnostic scenario.

15. A method for diagnosing executive dysfunction, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one predetermined test scenario wherein distrinct neuropsychological dysfunctions are determined;

producing an interactive computer generated simulated environment based on said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario;

interacting the interactive computer generated simulated environment with a subject;

receiving input from said subject interacting with said interactive computer generated simulated environment by a diagnostic scenario processor communicating with said interactive computer generated simulated reality environment; and

determining an executive dysfunction diagnosis of said subject based on said input received by said diagnostic scenario processor.

16. The method for diagnosing executive dysfunction as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of producing includes an interactive computer generated simulated environment which is substantially immersive.

17. The method for diagnosing executive dysfunction as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of producing includes an interactive computer generated simulated environment that is substantially non-immersive.

18. The method for diagnosing executive dysfunction as recited in claim 15, further including the step of receiving input from a test administrator for modifying said at least one predetermined diagnostic scenario.

19. The method for diagnosing as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of providing includes a predetermined diagnostic scenario having a sequence of real life events and said step of producing includes an interactive computer generated simulated environment providing a plurality of questions to said subject based on said sequence of real life events.

20. The method for diagnosing executive dysfunction as recited in claim 19, wherein the step of providing includes a predetermined diagnostic scenario having a sequence of real life events based on a beach scene.