Augmented Reality Motor Skills Testing With Movement Efficiency Index
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurological assessments for motor skills, such as the finger-to-nose test, are subjective and lack objective quantification, making them less precise for diagnosing neurodegenerative disorders.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented augmented reality system that tracks a user's movement of a body part to a target in a 3D world coordinate system, calculating an efficiency index based on total traveled distance and linear distance, and optionally incorporating eye tracking for comprehensive evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If subjective clinical evaluation is used for motor skills testing, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/subjective evaluation system with a digital tracking and measurement system. Sensors and cameras automatically track body part movement through virtual targets, computing objective metrics such as path length, time to complete, and accuracy without requiring subjective clinician interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational system between the patient's physical movement and the clinical assessment. Virtual targets and digital tracking create an intermediate layer that translates physical motion into quantifiable data, eliminating the need for direct subjective observation while preserving the essential measurement function.
2Measurement precision
If objective quantification is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a head-worn display device that serves multiple functions: it provides virtual reality visualization, tracks head position and orientation, monitors body part movement through integrated sensors, and presents visual targets. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the visualization system, sensing system, and measurement system into an integrated augmented reality platform. The head-worn display combines visual target presentation with movement tracking capabilities, eliminating the need for separate equipment and reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced functionality.
3Measurement precision
If virtual reality tracking is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to rendering lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-renders virtual target positions and movement paths before they are needed during the actual test. By calculating and preparing the visual elements in advance based on predicted patient movement, the system minimizes real-time rendering requirements and eliminates perceptible lag between patient action and system response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous tracking and updating of virtual targets throughout the patient's movement rather than processing in discrete steps. This continuous action ensures that the virtual environment remains synchronized with the patient's actual motion, eliminating gaps or delays that would otherwise occur during periodic updates.
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for performing a motor skills neurological test using augmented reality which provides an objective assessment of the results of the test. A virtual target is displayed to a user in an AR field of view of an AR system at a target location. The movement of a body part (e.g., a finger) of a user is tracked as the user moves the body part from a starting location to the target location. A total traveled distance of the body part in moving from the starting location to the target location is determined based on the tracking. A linear distance between the starting location and the target location is determined. An efficiency index is then determined which represents an overall quality of movement of the body part from the starting location to the target location based on the total traveled distance and the linear distance.