System and Method for Collecting Eye-Movement Data

• US 20140358009A1
• Filed: 05/30/2013
• Published: 12/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ian Purcell, Michael O'Leary, Yinhong Qu
• Original Assignee: Ian Purcell, Michael O'Leary, Yinhong Qu
• Inventors: O'Leary, Michael, Purcell, Ian, Qu, Yinhong
• Application Number:
  US13/906,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20140358009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0083 provided with means for patient positioning
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0013 Medical image data A61B1/00011, A61B6/56, A61B8/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0077 Devices for viewing the surface of the body, e.g. camera, magnifying lens
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1128 using image analysis A61B5/1127 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4023 Evaluating sense of balance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A system for creating an eye-movement record that is useful for diagnosing balance disorders of a patient includes a head-mounted unit having an indicator which generates head position signals. Also included is a computer/controller for progressing the patient through a sequence of predetermined head orientations. An imaging unit in the head-mounted unit is used to create an eye-movement record for each head orientation, and the records are then archived in a recorder. With instructions from the patient, a de-identified eye-movement record can be sent to selected regional specialists for further evaluation and possible treatment.

Claims

1. A system for collecting eye-movement data to create an eye-movement record for use as a diagnostic of balance disorders, wherein the eye-movements are responsive to a sequence of changes in head orientation, the system comprising:

an indicator mounted on the head of a patient for movement therewith, wherein the indicator generates position signals indicative of a spatial, three dimension orientation of the head;

an imaging unit positioned for movement with the head of the patient to create the eye-movement record for at least one eye of the patient, while the head of the patient is held substantially stationary for a preselected time interval, in a predetermined orientation;

a computer/controller connected to the indicator for notifying the patient when the head of the patient is in the predetermined orientation, and wherein the computer/controller is connected to the imaging unit for activating the imaging unit to create an eye-movement record in response to a “

go”

signal from the patient; and

a recorder connected to the imaging unit to archive the eye-movement record.

2. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a regional data base containing respectively pertinent information on a plurality of specialists; and

a central server incorporated with the recorder for forwarding a confidential eye-movement record to the data base for use by at least one selected specialist in response to instructions from the patient.

3. A system as recited in claim 2 wherein there are an m number of predetermined orientations to create m respective eye-movement records in accordance with a Dix-Hallpike Maneuver, and wherein the recorder is connected to the computer/controller to change the predetermined orientation of the patient in accordance with a computer program.

4. A system as recited in claim 3 wherein m is equal to seven (m=7).

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the imaging unit includes a camera for creating images of the eye movements.

6. A system as recited in claim 5 wherein the system further comprises a pair of goggles, and wherein the indicator, the camera, and the computer/controller are mounted on the goggles.

7. A system as recited in claim 6 wherein the indicator, the imaging unit, the camera, the computer/controller and the recorder are integrated into a cohesive assembly and are collectively mounted as a self-contained unit on the goggles.

8. A system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a “

go”

button for use by the patient to activate the imaging unit in response to notification from the computer/controller that the head of the patient is in the predetermined orientation wherein the preselected time interval is less than ten seconds.

9. A method for collecting eye-movement data to create a confidential eye-movement record for use as a diagnostic of balance disorders, the method comprising the steps of:

mounting an orientation indicator on the head of a patient;

positioning an imaging unit, including a camera, on the head of the patient for movement therewith;

generating position signals with the orientation indicator, wherein the position signals are indicative of a spatial, three dimension orientation of the head;

notifying the patient when the head of the patient is in a predetermined orientation;

activating the imaging unit to collect eye-movement image data from at least one eye of the patient, while the head of the patient is held substantially stationary for a preselected time interval in the predetermined orientation; and

creating the confidential eye-movement record from the collected eye-movement image data with verification of the head of the patient being held substantially stationary during the activating step.

10. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

de-identifying the eye-movement record to establish confidentiality and protect the identity of the patient; and

forwarding the de-identified eye-movement record to a regional specialist for evaluation and possible treatment in response to instructions from the patient.

11. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein the activating step is accomplished in response to a “

go”

signal from the patient, and wherein the “

go”

signal is initiated by the patient in response to the notifying step.

12. A method as recited in claim 9 further comprising the step of instructing the patient to move the head of the patient to a specific predetermined orientation.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the instructing step is accomplished prior to the generating step.

14. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein there are an m number of predetermined orientations to create m respective eye-movement records in accordance with a Dix-Hallpike Maneuver.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein m is equal to seven (m=7).

16. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein the specific predetermined orientation of the head of the patient is selected, in order, as:

patient sits with head centered;

patient sits with head 45 degrees to the right;

patient lays back with head 45 degrees to the right and held in approximately 20 degrees of extension;

patient sits back up with head centered;

patient sits with head 45 degrees to the left;

patient lays back with head 45 degrees to the left and held in approximately 20 degrees of extension; and

patient sits back up with head centered.

17. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein the indicator and the camera are mounted on goggles.

18. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein the preselected time interval is less than ten seconds.

19. A method as recited in claim 9 wherein a plurality of eye-movement records are created and the method further comprises the steps of:

collating the plurality of eye-movement records;

archiving the plurality of eye-movement records;

maintaining a data base containing pertinent information on a plurality of specialists;

de-identifying each eye-movement record to maintain confidentiality and protect the identity of the respective patient; and

forwarding a de-identified eye-movement record to at least one selected specialist in the data base in response to instructions from the patient.

20. A computer program for collecting eye-movement data comprising program sections for respectively:

generating position signals with an indicator, wherein the position signals are indicative of a spatial, three dimension orientation of the head;

notifying the patient when the head of the patient is in a predetermined orientation;

positioning an imaging unit, including a camera, for movement with the head of the patient;

activating the imaging unit to create an eye-movement record of at least one eye of the patient, while the head of the patient is held substantially stationary for a preselected time interval in the predetermined orientation;

collecting, collating, and archiving the plurality of eye-movement records;

maintaining a data base containing pertinent information on each specialist in a plurality of specialists;

de-identifying each eye-movement record to protect the identity of the respective patient; and

forwarding a de-identified eye-movement record to at least one selected specialist in the data base in response to instructions from the patient.