Neurological testing apparatus

• US 20030055322A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alvin Krass
• Original Assignee: Alvin Krass
• Inventors: Krass, Alvin
• Granted Patent: US 6,896,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• 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 5/225 of the fingers, e.g. by monitoring hand-grip force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry

Abstract

An apparatus for performing neuropsychological tests on a patient includes a microprocessing unit adapted for carrying out test procedures which is connected to an interface to a sensory signal generating device comprising at least one of a visual information display, an indication light, and a sound generator, an interface to a reaction detecting device comprising at least one of a dynamometer, a knob, and a touch screen, and an interface to a memory for reading test procedures stored in the memory. At least one test procedure comprising instructions for the generation of sensory signals and the detection of a patient reaction is stored in the memory and is performed by generating the sensory signals on the sensory generating device and by detecting a patient'"'"'s reaction through the reaction detecting device.

Claims

1. Apparatus for performing neuropsychological tests on a patient, comprising:

means for generating a plurality of sensory signals comprising visual signals, auditory signals, or both visual and auditory signals; and

means for detecting physical movement of a patient in response to said generated plurality of sensory signals.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensory signals is determined prior to performing a test on a patient.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein visual signals and auditory signals are simultaneously generated.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for storing, processing, or both storing and processing information obtained from the means for detecting physical movement.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for reporting on the information obtained from the means for detecting physical movement.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting the plurality of sensory signals prior to performing a test on a patient.

7. Apparatus for performing neuropsychological tests on a patient, comprising a microprocessing unit adapted for carrying out test procedures, said microprocessing unit being connected to

an interface to a sensory signal generating device comprising at least one of a visual information display, an indication light, and a sound generator;

an interface to a reaction detecting device comprising at least one of a dynamometer, a knob, and a touch screen; and

an interface to a memory for reading test procedures stored in the memory,

wherein at least one test procedure comprising instructions for the generation of sensory signals and the detection of a patient reaction is stored in the memory and is performed by generating the sensory signals on the sensory generating device and by detecting a patient'"'"'s reaction through the reaction detecting device.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the memory is an internal memory of the apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the memory is a card or a set of cards, and the apparatus comprises a card reading device for insertion and reading of the card or cards.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the interface to a memory is an interface to a computer or a network of computers which comprise the memory.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the microprocessor is connected to an interface to a reporting device for reporting information on reactions detected through the reaction detecting device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the interface to a reporting device is to a printer.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the interface to a reporting device is to a computer or a network of computers.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensory signal generating device comprises a sound generator which is a headset.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensory signal generating device comprises a plurality of indication lights.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the indication lights are of different colors.

17. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reaction detecting device comprises a dynamometer which is a hand grip.

18. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reaction detecting device comprises a knob which is a push button, a rotary switch, or a combination push button and rotary switch.

19. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensory signal generating device comprises an information display device, an indication light, and a sound generator.

20. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reaction detecting device comprises a touch screen, a dynamometer and a knob.

21. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a plurality of sensory signals are generated simultaneously.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein visual and audio signals are generated simultaneously.

23. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a plurality of physical reactions of the patient are detected during the performance of the test procedure.