Portable Neurocognitive Assesment and Evaluation System

Abstract

A neurocognitive assessment and evaluation system uses a portable computerized appliance having a touchscreen, network communication functionality, at least one processor and on-board digital memory, and has software executing on the at least one processor. The software provides an interactive display comprising one or more graphics artifacts with which a person may interact, monitoring of the time and nature of the person's interaction with the one or more graphics artifacts, and audio or text instruction for the person to follow to interact with the one or more graphics artifacts to perform a specific test for neurocognitive evaluation of the person.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS[0001]The system is a non-provisional application of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 454,287, filed Mar. 18, 2011, entitled “Diagnosis of Acute Concussion Using Handheld Electronic Device”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety at least by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to a computerized testing system for assessment of cognitive status, and pertains more particularly to a neurocognitive and psychomotor performance assessment and evaluation system for use in a portable hand-held computerized device.[0004]2. Discussion of the State of the Art[0005]In the field of human neurocognitive psychomotor performance assessment and evaluation, testing systems are used in a wide range of situations which produce changes in brain function. Such testing may be employed in the evaluation of persons who have or are experiencing stroke, vario...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]In one embodiment of the invention a neurocognitive assessment and evaluation system is provided, comprising a portable computerized appliance having a touchscreen, network communication functionality, at least one processor and on-board digital memory, and software executing on the at least one processor. The software provides an interactive display comprising one or more graphics artifacts with which a person may interact, monitoring of the time and nature of the person's interaction with the one or more graphics artifacts, and audio or text instruction for the person to follow to interact with the one or more graphics artifacts to perform a specific test for neurocognitive evaluation of the person.

Problems solved by technology

When in some cases only a few of these symptoms are present after a blow to the head, for example, it may sometimes be difficult to determine whether or not a concussion actually occurred, or if these symptoms are simply the result of an initial shock to the head.

Because some of the symptoms at this level of concussion last for a relatively short period of time, and there is no loss of consciousness and amnesia may or may not exist, this type of concussion may easily go unnoticed, and is also the most difficult to diagnose, particularly in the field.

Although such written tests may be of some value in the assessment of symptoms for aiding a trained artisan such as a neuropsychologist in an initial diagnosis of acute concussion or other MTBI as well as tracking symptom recovery, they offer only limited information providing at best only enough information to enable initial screening of persons that have a known or suspected concussion or MTBI.

Such written tests are cumbersome and time consuming and have little value when a speedy determination of a person's neurocognitive fitness is required, and no value when it comes to psychomotor performance evaluation, particularly when involving an injured sports player that is needed back out on the field to continue play if it is safe for him / her to do so.

Still further, brain injuries do not always occur when neuropsychologists or other skilled administrators are nearby, and symptoms of acute concussion often resolve before the brain has completely recovered.

The cost and physical size of such computerized testing systems render their use impractical in many situations; particularly, for on-the-spot evaluation of injured team players on the field.

Such large computerized systems do not provide the capability of immediate on-the-spot diagnosis of acute concussion.

Such systems remain particularly deficient in providing all of the comprehensive testing useful in objectively but accurately determining the true state of a person's neurocognitive and psychomotor performance fitness, particularly in such areas as balance, coordination, eye tracking and so on.

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