System and method for digital graphic measurement of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

To provide a system and method for the digital graphic measurement of Parkinson's disease. [Solution] A system and method for digital graphic measurement of Parkinson's disease according to an embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a digital graphic measurement device comprising a housing, a plurality of keys mounted on the housing, a plurality of sensors, the sensors in the plurality of sensors being associated with the keys in the plurality of keys and capable of measuring the amplitude of key presses, and an input / output interface within the housing, wherein the digital graphic measurement device is configured to transmit key press data generated by the sensors to a controller via the input / output interface, and the key press data is used to generate a plurality of digital graphic indices that describe the motor symptoms of the user of the digital graphic measurement device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 058,426, filed on July 29, 2020, and titled "Systems and Methods for Objective Parkinson’s Disease Rigidity Measurements", under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 058,426 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] (Field of the Invention) The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for recording and analyzing digital graphic measurements of a patient and providing a potential diagnosis based on such measurements.

Background Art

[0003] (Background) Parkinson's disease (PD) is a long - term neurodegenerative disorder that affects the motor system, among many other systems. Currently, there is no cure for PD. The diagnosis of PD relies on two of the three main motor symptoms of PD: rigidity, bradykinesia, and / or resting tremor. Currently, there are no known biomarkers for PD.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] (Summary of the Invention) A system and method for digital graphic measurement of Parkinson's disease according to embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a digital graphic measurement device comprising a housing, a plurality of keys mounted on the housing, a plurality of sensors, the sensors in the plurality of sensors being associated with the keys in the plurality of keys and capable of measuring the amplitude of key presses, and an input / output interface within the housing, wherein the digital graphic measurement device is configured to transmit key press data generated by the sensors to a controller via the input / output interface, and the key press data is used to generate a plurality of digital graphic indices that describe the motor symptoms of the user of the digital graphic measurement device.

[0005] In another embodiment, each key in a group of keys is biased by a spring, and the material of each key and the tension of the spring are such that the repulsive force is minimized when the key is released.

[0006] In a further embodiment, at least one of the multiple sensors is selected from the group consisting of Hall effect sensors, optical sensors, magnetic encoders, and potentiometers.

[0007] In another embodiment, the digital graphic index is at least one of the following: rigidity index, slow motion amplitude index, slow motion frequency index, slow motion sequence effect index, tremor index, freeze behavior index, and upper limb freeze (FOUL) index.

[0008] In yet another embodiment, the rigidity index is calculated by averaging the difference in amplitude between the lowest point of a given key press and the highest point of a given key release following the given key press, for each key press in the key press data.

[0009] In another embodiment, the slow amplitude index is calculated by averaging the distance between the highest point of a given key press and the lowest point of a subsequent key press for each key press in the key press data.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the slow-motion frequency index is calculated by taking the reciprocal of the average value of the key press intervals over the key press data.

[0011] In another additional embodiment, the slow-motion sequence effect index is calculated by fitting at least one exponential curve to quantify the decrease in amplitude over time.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the tremor index is calculated as the percentage of time over keypress data where the interval between two consecutive keypresses is less than 200 milliseconds, and the duration of at least one of the two consecutive keypresses is less than 70 milliseconds.

[0013] In another embodiment, the freezing behavior index is the coefficient of variation of the impact interval.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, the FOUL index is calculated as the percentage of time spent on key press data where the interval between two consecutive key presses is greater than the average interval of the preceding key press plus two standard deviations.

[0015] Furthermore, in one embodiment, individual digital graphic indicators outside the standard range indicate the presence of motor symptoms.

[0016] In yet another embodiment, key press data is further used to generate a report indicating the presence of Parkinson's disease, based on digital graphic index values ​​that indicate the presence of at least two major motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

[0017] In yet another embodiment, the controller is integrated into the housing.

[0018] In further additional embodiments, a method for diagnosing motor symptoms, the method comprising: providing a digital graphic measurement device to a user; performing a rapid alternating finger tapping (RAFT) test using the digital graphic measurement device; recording key press data describing the amplitude of each key throughout the RAFT test; calculating a plurality of digital graphic indices based on the key press data; and providing the digital graphic indices and a display of the motor symptoms exhibited by the user based on the digital graphic indices.

[0019] In another embodiment, the digital graphic index is at least one of the following: rigidity index, slow motion amplitude index, slow motion frequency index, slow motion sequence effect index, tremor index, freeze behavior index, and upper limb freeze (FOUL) index.

[0020] In another embodiment, the method further includes providing a display to the user indicating that they have Parkinson's disease when a digital graphic indicator shows the presence of at least two major motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

[0021] In yet another additional embodiment, the digital graphics measurement device includes a housing, a plurality of keys mounted on the housing, a plurality of sensors, the sensors in the plurality of sensors being associated with the keys in the plurality of keys and capable of measuring the amplitude of key presses, and an input / output interface within the housing.

[0022] In yet additional embodiments, a digital graphic measurement system for measuring movement symptoms includes a digital graphic measurement device including a housing, a plurality of keys attached to the housing, a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors in the plurality of sensors are associated with the keys in the plurality of keys and are capable of measuring the amplitude of key presses, and an input / output interface within the housing, the digital graphic measurement device being configured to transmit key press data generated by the sensors to a controller via the input / output interface, the controller comprising a processor and a memory containing a digital graphic measurement application, the digital graphic measurement application instructing the processor to obtain key press data from the digital graphic measurement device, calculate a plurality of digital graphic metrics that characterize the movement symptoms of a user of the digital graphic measurement device, and provide a report comprising the plurality of digital graphic metrics and an indication of the presence of the user's movement symptoms based on the plurality of digital graphic metrics.

[0023] Additional embodiments and features are described in part in the following description, and in part will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the specification, or may be learned by practice of the invention. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings which form a part of this disclosure. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) A digital graphic measurement device, comprising a housing, a plurality of keys attached to the housing, a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensors in the plurality of sensors are associated with the keys in the plurality of keys and are capable of measuring the amplitude of key presses, and an input / output interface within the housing and The digital graphic measurement device is configured to transmit key press data generated by the sensor to a controller via the input / output interface. The key press data is used to generate a plurality of digital graphic indicators that describe the movement symptoms of the user of the digital graphic measurement device. (Item 2) Each key in the plurality of keys is biased by a spring, and the material of each key and the tension of the spring minimize the repulsive force when the key is released, according to the digital graphic measurement device described in Item 1. (Item 3) At least one sensor in the plurality of sensors is selected from the group consisting of a Hall effect sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic encoder, and a potentiometer, according to the digital graphic measurement device described in Item 1. (Item 4) The digital graphic indicator is at least one of a constriction indicator, a bradykinesia amplitude indicator, a bradykinesia frequency indicator, a bradykinesia sequence effect indicator, a tremor indicator, a freezing behavior indicator, and an upper limb freezing (FOUL) indicator, according to the digital graphic measurement device described in Item 1. (Item 5) The constriction indicator is calculated by averaging the difference in amplitude between the lowest point of a given key press and the highest point of a given key release following the given key press for each key press in the key press data, according to the digital graphic measurement device described in Item 4. (Item 6) The bradykinesia amplitude indicator is calculated by averaging the distance between the highest point of a given key press and the lowest point of the subsequent key press for each key press in the key press data, according to the digital graphic measurement device described in Item 4. (Item 7) The bradykinesia frequency indicator is calculated by obtaining the reciprocal of the average value of the press intervals over the key press data, according to the digital graphic measurement device described in Item 4. (Item 8) The aforementioned slow-motion sequence effect index is calculated by fitting at least one exponential curve to quantify the decrease in amplitude over time, according to the digital graphic measuring device described in item 4. (Item 9) The tremor index is calculated as a percentage of time over the key press data, wherein the interval between two consecutive key presses is less than 200 milliseconds, and the duration of at least one of the two consecutive key presses is less than 70 milliseconds, according to the digital graphic measurement device in item 4. (Item 10) The freezing behavior index is the coefficient of variation of the pressing interval, as described in item 4 of the digital graphic measuring device. (Item 11) The FOUL index is calculated as the percentage of time spent on key press data where the interval between two consecutive key presses is greater than the average interval of the preceding key press plus two standard deviations, as described in item 4 of the digital graphic measurement device. (Item 12) Individual digital graphic indicators outside the standard range indicate the presence of motor symptoms, as described in item 4 of the digital graphic measurement device. (Item 13) The aforementioned key press data is further used to generate a report indicating the presence of Parkinson's disease, based on digital graphic index values ​​that indicate the presence of at least two major motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, according to the digital graphic measuring device described in item 12. (Item 14) The controller is a digital graphics measurement device as described in item 1, which is integrated into the housing. (Item 15) A method for diagnosing motor symptoms, To provide users with digital graphics measurement devices, The aforementioned digital graphic measurement device is used to perform the High-Speed ​​Alternating Finger Tapping (RAFT) test, Throughout the RAFT test, key press data describing the amplitude of each key is recorded, Based on the aforementioned key press data, calculate multiple digital graphic indicators, To provide the aforementioned digital graphic indicators and a display of the motor symptoms exhibited by the user based on the aforementioned digital graphic indicators. Methods that include... (Item 16) The method according to item 15, wherein the digital graphic index is at least one of the following: rigidity index, slow motion amplitude index, slow motion frequency index, slow motion sequence effect index, tremor index, freeze behavior index, and upper limb freeze (FOUL) index. (Item 17) A method for diagnosing motor symptoms according to item 15, further comprising providing an indication that the user is exhibiting Parkinson's disease when the digital graphic indicator indicates the presence of at least two major motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. (Item 18) The aforementioned digital graphics measurement device is The casing and Multiple keys are attached to the aforementioned housing, A plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor in the plurality of sensors is associated with a key in the plurality of keys and is capable of measuring the amplitude of a key press. The input / output interface within the aforementioned enclosure and A method for diagnosing the motor symptoms described in item 15, comprising the following: (Item 19) A digital graphic measurement system for measuring motor symptoms, Equipped with a digital graphics measurement device, The aforementioned digital graphics measurement device is The casing and Multiple keys are attached to the aforementioned housing, Multiple sensors, and each of the multiple sensors is associated with a key in the multiple keys and capable of measuring the amplitude of a key press, Input / output interfaces within the enclosure and Equipped with, The digital graphic measurement device is configured to transmit key press data generated by the sensor to the controller via an input / output interface. The aforementioned controller, Processor and Includes a digital graphics measurement application, and memory and Equipped with, The aforementioned digital graphics measurement application uses the processor, Acquiring the key press data from the aforementioned digital graphics measurement device, To calculate multiple digital graphic indicators that describe the motor symptoms of the user of the aforementioned digital graphic measurement device, To provide a report comprising multiple digital graphic indicators and a display of the presence of the user's motor symptoms based on the multiple digital graphic indicators. A digital graphic measurement system that instructs the system to perform the following actions. (Item 20) The controller is integrated into the housing of the digital graphic measurement device, and is part of a digital graphic measurement system for measuring motor symptoms as described in item 19. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0024] This description and claims will be better understood by referring to the following figures and data graphs, which are presented as exemplary embodiments of this description and should not be construed as a complete enumeration of the scope of the invention.

[0025] [Figure 1A] Figure 1A is a side view of a digital graphics measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] [Figure 1B] Figure 1B is a first cross-sectional side view of a digital graphics measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] [Figure 1C] Figure 1C is a second cross-sectional side view of a digital graphic measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] [Figure 1D] Figure 1D is a top view of a digital graphic measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of a digital graphic measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an exemplary ideal signal as part of a set of keypress data from a healthy patient.

[0032] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process for diagnosis based on digital graphic measurement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exemplary report generated by a digital graphic measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] (Detailed explanation) Turning to the diagram here, a system and method for the digital graphic measurement of Parkinson's disease are illustrated. Currently, Parkinson's disease is diagnosed when a patient presents with at least two of the three main motor signs: rigidity, bradykinesia, and resting tremor. Testing for these signs has traditionally been performed by trained specialists using clinical assessment scales such as the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III (Motor Scale) of the Movement Disorder Society. Because the assessment is typically performed by human specialists, errors can occur even when using "optimal criteria" like the MDS-UPDRS. For example, the testing procedure is subjective, and despite certification procedures, there is a significant lack of reliability among different specialists. Furthermore, the degree of rigidity cannot currently be assessed visually, hindering the ability to reach consensus among out-of-care healthcare professionals (e.g., via video). This raises serious issues regarding telemedicine, which is becoming increasingly important for public health.

[0035] Quantitative digital graphics (QDG) have been proposed as a method for objectively measuring the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. In particular, the kinematics of rapid alternating finger tapping (RAFT) have been shown to correlate with the MDS-UPDRS motor score. However, conventional QDG-RAFT analysis has many problems that have hindered its widespread adoption. For example, the accuracy of the measurements and their relevance to Parkinson's disease can vary between recording devices, traditionally MIDI piano keyboards. Such keyboards cannot provide a complete set of data, such as amplitude indices (but not limited to them), and therefore produce low-quality results. Furthermore, the relationship between the obtained signals and Parkinson's disease is not well understood. The system and method described herein address the problems of conventional QDG-RAFT and provide a reproducible system and methodology that can reliably diagnose Parkinson's disease.

[0036] In many embodiments, the systems and methods described herein utilize a digital graphic measuring device for precisely measuring the displacement of keys over time. In various embodiments, the digital graphic measuring device has two keys, each having a known displacement distance, key length, and key stiffness. The keys may include indentations to ensure substantially the same finger placement across the test. Data from the digital graphic measuring device can be used by a controller to provide a display of the main motor symptoms and their number, often when the patient is in the very early stages of disease progression. The digital graphic measuring device is described in more detail below.

[0037] (Digital Graphics Measurement Device) Digital graphic measurement devices can record various metrics related to key presses as key press data. In many embodiments, the digital graphic measurement device includes two keys and a set of sensors for independently and continuously measuring the indentation of each key. In various embodiments, the digital graphic measurement device records the amplitude of the key press, i.e., the degree to which the key is indented relative to its resting position. In many embodiments, a duration signal measuring the offset from the resting position for each key constitutes the key press data. While many digital graphic measurement devices include two keys, any number of keys can be used as appropriate to the requirements of the specific application of embodiments of the invention. For example, a digital graphic measurement device utilizing four keys can be used to measure tasks for both the right and left hands simultaneously, instead of using two separate, i.e., two-keyed devices. Similarly, if all fingers of one hand (five keys) or both hands (ten keys) are tested at once, the digital graphic measurement device can be constructed to meet these requirements without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In fact, as can be easily understood, any arbitrary number of keys can be utilized.

[0038] Now, looking at Figures 1A-D, an exemplary digital graphic measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Figure 1A shows a side view of the digital graphic measuring device 100. The device 100 has a housing 100 that supports two keys 120 and 122 (key 122 is illustrated as being fully recessed in Figure 1A). Keys 120 and 122 pivot on an axis 130. Figure 1B shows a first cross-sectional side view of the device 100, where a spring 140 can be seen tensioning the keys. In many embodiments, each key is tensioned by an individual spring. In many embodiments, the keys are resistant to deformation under pressure, and the spring tension is set to minimize the repulsive force when the key is released. Thus, the passive release of the keys is minimally affected by the force from the key striking the bottom of the device. Figure 1C is a second cross-sectional side view of device 100, providing additional details regarding the connection of the spring 140 to the key at connection point 142 and the connection to the housing at connection point 144. The housing also holds an electronics package 150 which includes sensors and / or a communication network. In many embodiments, each key is associated with its own sensor.

[0039] A digital graphic measuring device may include one or more sensors capable of continuously measuring key press amplitude. In many embodiments, Hall effect sensors are used to measure key displacement from a stationary position. However, other sensing methodologies such as optical sensors, magnetic encoders, and potentiometers (but not limited to these) may also be used, as long as they accurately measure key displacement and are suitable for the requirements of the specific applications of embodiments of the present invention. Depending on the type of sensor and the specific structure of the digital graphic measuring device, the sensors may be located in different places.

[0040] A communication interface can be included within an electronic device package capable of transmitting keypress data. In many embodiments, the communication interface can transmit keypress data wirelessly. For example, in various embodiments, the radio frequency communication device may be incorporated to communicate using any number of different wireless communication methodologies, including Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and / or any other wireless communication methodologies (but not limited to these), as appropriate to the requirements of the specific application of the embodiments of the present invention. As can be easily understood, additional wireless communication methodologies that do not use radio frequencies, such as near-field magnetic induction communication and / or infrared communication (but not limited to these), may also be used. Various embodiments utilize wired communication to transmit keypress data, either alone or in addition to wireless communication. A particular electronic device package 150 is illustrated in Figures 1B and 1C, but it should be understood that the communication interface and sensors may be located in different places, and in fact, they may be individually located in different places depending on the structure of the digital graphic measurement device, as appropriate to the requirements of the specific application of the embodiments of the present invention. The keypress data may be processed by a controller as part of the digital graphic measurement system. The top and bottom views of the digital graphic measurement device 100 are illustrated in Figure 1D. As can be seen in the figure, a divot 160 may be incorporated on the key to provide the user with guidance for standardizing the position of their finger across multiple tests. Such a system is described in more detail below.

[0041] (Digital Graphics Measurement System) A digital graphics measurement system enables the acquisition and processing of key press data. In many embodiments, the digital graphics measurement system includes a digital graphics measurement device and a controller. The controller may include a processing network for enabling the processing of key press data. Turning to Figure 2, a system diagram for a digital graphics measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0042] System 200 includes a digital graphics measurement device 210 connected to a controller 230 via a network 220. In many embodiments, the network is a wireless network. However, wired connections can also be used to connect the digital graphics measurement device to the controller. In fact, in many embodiments, the digital graphics measurement device has a built-in controller with a wired connection as part of a single unit. Thus, as can be easily understood, the network may not be necessary to suit the requirements of the specific application of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] Now, looking at Figure 3, a block diagram for a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The controller 300 includes a processor 310. The processor may be a central processing device, a graphics processing device, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and / or any other arithmetic logic network, as appropriate for the requirements of the specific application of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The controller 300 further includes an input / output (I / O) interface 320. In many embodiments, the I / O interface provides the ability to connect to a digital graphics measurement device. The I / O interface can further be used to connect to other devices. For example, in many embodiments, the I / O interface can be used to provide reports based on key press data to a screen or any other storage and / or display device. A memory 330 is further included in the controller 300. The memory can be any type of data storage medium, including (but not limited to) volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any mixture thereof. The memory 330 stores a digital graphics measurement application 332, which can instruct the processor to perform various digital graphics measurement processes, which will be discussed further below. Key press data 334 can be stored in the memory 330 when available.

[0045] Specific system architectures and controller architectures are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, respectively. However, as can be easily understood, any number of different configurations, such as systems using multiple digital graphic measurement devices and digital graphic measurement devices having built-in controllers (but not limited to these), can be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The digital graphic measurement process is described in more detail below.

[0046] (Digital Graphics Measurement Process) A digital graphics measurement device can be used to obtain keypress data from a user that can objectively indicate whether the user is exhibiting major motor symptoms. In many embodiments, the user is instructed to place their index and middle fingers on two keys of the digital graphics measurement device and perform rapid alternating finger tapping (RAFT) for approximately 30 seconds. The digital graphics measurement device can independently capture the amplitude of each key over time and produce keypress data. In many embodiments, the keypress data includes a signal from each key of the digital graphics measurement device that represents the displacement (i.e., amplitude) of the key over time. The signal captured for each key can be processed to produce several QDG indices, which can in turn indicate the presence of one or more major motor symptoms.

[0047] In many embodiments, the QDG index includes rigidity index, slow motion amplitude index, slow motion frequency index, slow motion sequence effect index, tremor index, freeze behavior index (i.e., arrhythmia), and upper limb freeze (FOUL) index. An exemplary signal from a single key, as activated by a healthy patient, according to embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 4. As can be seen in the figure, each key press has a press phase and a release phase. The illustrated signal represents a healthy, well-defined key press, although a person exhibiting motor symptoms may produce less regular signals. A key press is also referred to as a "striking" and the striking interval (ISI) can be understood as the time between two key presses. The form of the signal can be used to generate the QDG index.

[0048] The rigidity index can be understood as the average rate of passive release of key presses. Therefore, the rigidity index can be calculated by averaging the difference in amplitude between the lowest point of key press and the highest point of key release during the test, divided by the total key release time. The reciprocal of the release velocity can be used as the rigidity index, corresponding to the MDS-UPDRS III classification, where a higher score indicates increased motor impairment. The standard range for the rigidity index is 5.88–9.09 seconds / mm. Higher values ​​tend to indicate worsening symptoms.

[0049] The slow amplitude index can be calculated by averaging the distance between the highest and lowest points of a key press during a test. The standard range for the slow amplitude index is 8.30–8.88 mm. Lower values ​​tend to indicate worsening symptoms.

[0050] The slowness frequency index can be calculated as the reciprocal of the mean interval between keystrokes (ISI) over the course of the test, where ISI is the time between two keystrokes with the same finger. The standard range for the slowness frequency index is 2–4 Hz. Lower values ​​tend to indicate worsening of symptoms.

[0051] The slow-motion sequence effect index is expressed as an exponential curve (y=Ae x The sequence effect can be calculated by fitting the formula and quantifying the decrease in amplitude over time during the test. The sequence effect can then be quantified by ln(A / abs(x)), where a higher value indicates a worse sequence effect. The standard range for the slow-motion sequence effect index is 0.0 to 0.11.

[0052] The tremor index is the percentage of total task time spent in a tremor state. A tremor state can be identified by identifying two consecutive key presses where the ISI is less than 200 milliseconds and at least one of the key presses has a duration of less than 70 milliseconds. However, these values ​​may vary depending on the implementation of the digital graphic measurement device and the condition being diagnosed. The standard value for tremor (indicating no tremor) is 0%. However, a low percentage of no recurrence across trials may be the result of spontaneous user error, and further investigation by a healthcare professional may be worthwhile to determine whether tremor actually exists.

[0053] The Freezing Behavior Index is the coefficient of variation of the ISI (i.e., the standard deviation of the ISI above the mean ISI for the task). The standard range for the Freezing Behavior Index is 0.07 to 0.21. A higher value indicates a worsening of symptoms.

[0054] The FOUL index is the percentage of total task time spent in a frozen state. A frozen state can be identified when the ISI between two consecutive key presses is greater than the mean ISI of the preceding key press plus two standard deviations. Alternatively, a frozen state can be identified when the amplitude of a key press is 30% or less of the amplitude of the preceding key press. The standard range for the FOUL index, indicating no symptoms, is 0%.

[0055] Each index can be compared to a standard range for that individual index. If the value for an index falls outside the normal range, a qualified physician can diagnose the presence of a major motor symptom associated with that individual index, which may lead to a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease if more than two major symptoms are present. As can be easily understood, major motor symptoms can also be symptoms of other conditions, and thus, digital graphic measurements can provide diagnostic aid for a wide range of conditions.

[0056] Now, looking at Figure 5, a flowchart of the digital graphic measurement process according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Process 500 includes providing the user with an operating command (510). In many embodiments, the user is commanded to perform a RAFT test using the digital graphic measurement device over a set cycle of 10 seconds to 1 minute. However, longer cycles can also be used to obtain more data. Key press data is acquired by the digital graphic measurement device (520) and describes the key presses over time in the RAFT test cycle. The controller calculates a QDG index based on the key press data (530) and generates a report showing the QDG index (540). An exemplary report according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 6. In many embodiments, the report includes a standard range. To make it easily understandable, the specific format of the report can be modified without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. The report can be used by healthcare professionals to assist in diagnosis.

[0057] While specific systems and methods for digital graphic measurement are discussed above, many different systems and methods can be implemented according to many different embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention may be implemented in ways other than those specifically described without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be determined not by the illustrated embodiments, but by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[Claim 1] The invention described herein.

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