Concussion Screening System Using Image Sensor Pupillometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concussions often go undiagnosed due to the lack of effective screening methods, leading to inadequate medical treatment and potential long-term health issues, particularly in high-risk individuals such as athletes and soldiers.
Innovation Solution
A concussion screening system comprising an illumination unit, image sensor array, processing unit, and system memory that displays stimuli, captures images, and processes them to determine if a person has suffered a concussion, utilizing tests like pupillometry, eye tracking, and reaction time assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional concussion screening methods are used, then the screening process is simple and quick, but the diagnostic accuracy and reliability are insufficient leading to undiagnosed concussions
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the concussion screening process into multiple independent measurement components: pupillometry measurement, eye tracking measurement, and reaction time measurement. Each component is captured by the image sensor array and processed separately, allowing for specialized analysis of each physiological parameter while maintaining an integrated diagnostic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that captures images of the person's eyes and processes them to extract physiological parameters. The image sensor array and processing unit act as intermediaries between the stimuli presentation and the final concussion diagnosis, enabling objective measurement of pupillary response, eye movement, and reaction time without direct human observation.
2Reliability
If comprehensive concussion tests are administered, then the diagnostic reliability improves, but the time required for screening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous image capture and processing throughout the stimulus presentation period. The image sensor array continuously records the person's eye responses while stimuli are displayed, and the processing unit continuously analyzes the captured images to track pupillary changes, eye movements, and reaction times in real-time, eliminating gaps in data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic stimulus presentation with specific patterns (e.g., alternating colors, moving targets) that elicit predictable physiological responses. By presenting stimuli in structured intervals and measuring responses to each pattern, the system efficiently gathers comprehensive data about the person's visual system function within a limited time frame.
3Measurement precision
If multiple physiological parameters are measured, then the objectivity of diagnosis improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor array serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures pupillary diameter changes, tracks eye movement trajectories, and measures reaction times to visual stimuli. This single multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require separate specialized devices for each measurement type, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive physiological assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of the person's eye responses through image capture and stores them for analysis. By capturing images that replicate the physiological states (pupil size, eye position, blink timing) and processing these digital copies, the system achieves objective measurement without requiring direct physical contact or complex sensing hardware beyond the image sensor.
4Reliability
If baseline evaluations are created for comparison, then the ability to detect concussion improves, but the initial screening time and data collection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary baseline assessment by capturing and processing images of the person's eye responses to stimuli before any concussion event occurs. This preliminary data collection establishes reference values for pupillary function, eye movement patterns, and reaction times that can be stored and automatically compared against future assessments to detect changes indicating concussion.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, objective, and portable concussion diagnosis, allowing for timely medical attention and preventing immediate return to hazardous activities, with the system being user-friendly and capable of creating baseline evaluations for comparison.
Implementation Method 1
illuminate the illumination unit to display stimuli
Implementation Method 2
receive a plurality of images on the image sensor array
Data Source
AI summary
A concussion screening device includes an illumination unit, an image sensor array, a processing unit, and system memory. The concussion screening device displays stimuli on the illumination unit and receives a plurality of images on the image sensor array. The stimuli correspond to a concussion test. The processor processes the plurality of images, which includes detecting one or more pupils of an evaluated person during the concussion test. Based on the processing, the concussion screening device determines whether or not an evaluated person has suffered a concussion. The results are displayed to a user and/or the evaluated person.