Evoked response testing system for neurological disorders
First Claim
1. A method of using an Evoked Response Potential (ERP) testing system to administer a test on a test subject, wherein the ERP testing system comprises a headset, the method comprising:
- (a) positioning the headset on the head of the test subject, wherein the headset comprises;
(i) a signal electrode,(ii) a reference electrode,(iii) a stimulus producer,(iv) a semi-rigid frame with a left ear cup and a right ear cup, wherein the semi-rigid frame is curved such that. as the semi-rigid frame flexes as a result of increasing the distance between the left ear cup and the right ear cup, the orientation of the left ear cup and the right ear cup do not change with respect to the head,(v) a control module contained within the semi-rigid frame, and(vi) a forehead frame configured to align with the eyebrows of the head, wherein aligning the forehead frame with the eyebrows results in proper placement of the plurality of electrodes;
(b) providing the test subject with access to one or more buttons on the control module, wherein the control module further comprises;
(i) a memory, wherein the memory stores a plurality of evoked response testing protocols including instructions for the stimulus producer, and(ii) a controller operably configured to actuate one of the plurality of evoked response testing protocols stored in the memory, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate a plurality of control administration parameters to the headset for performing an evoked response test;
(c) executing a selected one of the stored evoked response testing protocols though the headset via the controller, wherein all of the functionality required to perform the selected one of the stored evoked response testing protocols is included in the headset;
(d) receiving manual inputs from the test subject via the one or more buttons on the control module;
(e) receiving a stimulated EEG result via the signal electrode; and
(f) recording data in the memory based on the manual inputs received from the test subject and the stimulated EEG result.
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Abstract
A dyslexia screening system suitable for clinical use includes an integrated headset that efficiently and conveniently performs an auditory evoked response (ERP) test by positioning electrodes about the ears of the subject. An integral control module automatically performs the test, providing simplified controls and indications to the clinician. A number of screening tests that are stored in the headset are periodically uploaded for billing, remote analysis and result reporting. A paradigm that characterizes testing performed for a subject along with the patient identification and/or patient demographics are stored in an associated fashion for later fusion and analyses with similar but not necessarily identically constructed ERP tests.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of using an Evoked Response Potential (ERP) testing system to administer a test on a test subject, wherein the ERP testing system comprises a headset, the method comprising:
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(a) positioning the headset on the head of the test subject, wherein the headset comprises; (i) a signal electrode, (ii) a reference electrode, (iii) a stimulus producer, (iv) a semi-rigid frame with a left ear cup and a right ear cup, wherein the semi-rigid frame is curved such that. as the semi-rigid frame flexes as a result of increasing the distance between the left ear cup and the right ear cup, the orientation of the left ear cup and the right ear cup do not change with respect to the head, (v) a control module contained within the semi-rigid frame, and (vi) a forehead frame configured to align with the eyebrows of the head, wherein aligning the forehead frame with the eyebrows results in proper placement of the plurality of electrodes; (b) providing the test subject with access to one or more buttons on the control module, wherein the control module further comprises; (i) a memory, wherein the memory stores a plurality of evoked response testing protocols including instructions for the stimulus producer, and (ii) a controller operably configured to actuate one of the plurality of evoked response testing protocols stored in the memory, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate a plurality of control administration parameters to the headset for performing an evoked response test; (c) executing a selected one of the stored evoked response testing protocols though the headset via the controller, wherein all of the functionality required to perform the selected one of the stored evoked response testing protocols is included in the headset; (d) receiving manual inputs from the test subject via the one or more buttons on the control module; (e) receiving a stimulated EEG result via the signal electrode; and (f) recording data in the memory based on the manual inputs received from the test subject and the stimulated EEG result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19)
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16. A method of using an Evoked Response Potential (ERP) testing system to administer a test on a test subject, wherein the ERP testing system comprises a headset, the method comprising:
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(a) positioning the headset on the head of the test subject, wherein the headset comprises; (i) a signal electrode, (ii) a reference electrode, (iii) a stimulus producer, (iv) a semi-rigid frame, (v) a control module contained within the semi-rigid frame, and (vi) a forehead frame configured to align with the eyebrows of the head, wherein aligning the forehead frame with the eyebrows results in proper placement of the plurality of electrodes; (b) placing a handheld control box in a hand of the test subject, wherein the handheld control box further comprises; (i) a memory, wherein the memory stores a plurality of evoked response testing protocols including instructions for the stimulus producer, and (ii) a controller operably configured to actuate one of the plurality of evoked response testing protocols stored in the memory, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate a plurality of control administration parameters to the headset for performing an evoked response test; (c) performing an ERP test, wherein the act of performing an ERP test comprises; (i) performing a self-test via the headset to verify good reception of an EEG signal, (ii) pausing the ERP test until a patient identification associated with the test subject is received by the headset and then automatically resuming, (iii) measuring a resting EEG result via the signal electrode and imposing a threshold delay if the resting EEG result is not below a threshold indicating a resting state, (iv) when the slope of the resting EEG result meets a criteria indicating a resting state, presenting a stimulus via the stimulus producer while measuring a stimulated EEG result, and (v) analyzing the stimulated EEG result via the signal electrode for artifacts, and imposing an artifact delay and re-measuring the stimulated EEG result if artifacts are present; (d) placing the headset in communication with a computer and transferring an electronic medical record and the stimulated EEG result to the computer; and (e) upon a successful data transfer, clearing the headset memory of the electronic medical record and the stimulated EEG result. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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17. A method of using an Evoked Response Potential (ERP) testing system to administer a test on a human child, wherein the ERP testing system comprises a headset, the method comprising:
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(a) positioning the headset on the head of the child, wherein the headset comprises; (i) a plurality of flexible arms cantilevered to exert force upon a plurality of electrodes and place them in contact with the head, (ii) the plurality of electrodes comprising a reference electrode, a signal electrode, and a plurality of fluid-filled bladders configured to reduce discomfort and provide uniform contact between the head and the plurality of electrodes, (iii) a stimulus producer, (iv) a semi-rigid frame with a left ear cup and a right ear cup, wherein the semi-rigid frame is curved such that. as the semi-rigid frame flexes as a result of increasing the distance between the left ear cup and the right ear cup, the orientation of the left ear cup and the right ear cup do not change with respect to the head, (v) a control module contained within the semi-rigid frame; and (vi) a forehead frame configured to align with the eyebrows of the head, wherein aligning the forehead frame with the eyebrows results in proper placement of the plurality of electrodes; (b) placing a handheld control box in a hand of the child, wherein the handheld control box further comprises; (i)a memory, wherein the memory stores a plurality of evoked response testing protocols including instructions for the stimulus producer, and (ii) a controller operably configured to actuate one of the plurality of evoked response testing protocols stored in the memory, wherein the controller is further configured to communicate a plurality of control administration parameters to the headset for performing an evoked response test; (c) performing an ERP test, wherein the act of performing an ERP test comprises executing a selected one of the stored evoked response testing protocols though the headset via the controller, wherein all of the functionality required to perform the selected one of the stored evoked response testing protocols is included in the headset and the handheld control box; (d) receiving results of the ERP test, wherein the act of receiving results of the ERP test comprises receiving manual inputs from the child via the one or more buttons on the handheld control box during the act of performing an ERP test and receiving a stimulated EEG result via the plurality of electrodes; and (e) recording the ERP test results in the memory.
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Specification