Animal Visual Function Testing via Head-Motion Frequency Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for visual function inspection in animals, such as rats, suffer from inaccurate subjective judgments and inability to distinguish between head movements synchronized with and unsynchronized with visual stimuli, leading to insufficient accuracy in determining visual function.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that analyzes the frequency characteristics of the visual line direction of animals by measuring the moving speed and angular velocity of the visual line over time, using image analysis to determine the presence or absence of visual function by comparing these characteristics with predetermined thresholds and patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If subjective judgment is used to determine whether the rat is moving its neck in synchronization with the stripe pattern, then the inspection method is simple, but the inspection accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the subjective mechanical judgment process with an automated image processing system. The imaging device captures images of the rat's head, and the processor automatically extracts head-swing motion data and compares it with the stripe pattern frequency, eliminating the need for subjective inspector judgment while achieving objective, quantifiable measurement of visual function.
2Extent of automation
If frequency difference method is used to extract head-swing motion, then automation is improved, but the ability to distinguish synchronized vs unsynchronized head swings is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously comparing the extracted head-swing frequency with the known stripe pattern frequency. The system determines synchronization by checking whether the head-swing frequency matches the stripe pattern frequency within a predetermined range, providing a feedback-based decision mechanism that accurately distinguishes between synchronized and unsynchronized head movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for analysis from simple frequency difference to frequency coincidence detection. By determining whether the head-swing frequency falls within a predetermined range of the stripe pattern frequency, the system achieves more precise distinction between synchronized and unsynchronized head swings, improving measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If regression line slope method is used to inspect visual function, then calculation is simplified, but the ability to distinguish blind rats from rats with visual function is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the regression line analysis method with a direct frequency comparison method. Instead of calculating slopes and analyzing linear relationships, the system directly compares the head-swing frequency with the stripe pattern frequency, achieving both computational simplicity and improved accuracy in distinguishing between blind rats and rats with visual function.
Data Source
AI summary
A visual function inspecting system, configured to: determine, when a subject animal is arranged to face visual information moving in a predetermined direction, a moving speed of a visual line direction of the subject animal changing over time, based on information indicating the visual line direction obtained for a predetermined period of time; determine a frequency characteristic of the moving speed of the visual line direction based on the determined moving speed of the visual line direction changing over time; and inspect a visual function of the subject animal based on the determined frequency characteristic.