Digitizing Tablet for Graphomotor Motion Capture in Neuropsychological Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current neuropsychological testing methods face challenges in reproducibility and standardization, particularly in capturing and quantifying qualitative aspects of cognitive functions, as they often lack direct observation of the testing process and rely on subjective interpretations.

Innovation Solution

The development of a system that captures and processes graphomotor motions with spatial precision, allowing for the determination of quantitative features and metrics from successive task executions, providing a diagnostic report on neurocognitive mechanisms and enabling precise measurement and quantification of standardized neuropsychological testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated cognitive testing is used, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to material alteration of the testing apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidtest accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A digitizing tablet serves as an intermediary device between the traditional paper-based testing apparatus and the automated digital system. The tablet captures graphomotor motions with high precision while maintaining the original paper-and-pencil testing format, thus improving productivity through automated capture and processing without deteriorating measurement precision by preserving the authentic testing experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual observation and interpretation of paper-based test results with electronic capture of graphomotor motions through a digitizing tablet. The mechanical act of writing or drawing on paper is substituted with electronic signal capture that preserves the original motion characteristics, enabling automated analysis while maintaining measurement fidelity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a proctor administers the test, then measurement precision is improved through direct observation, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The digitizing tablet enables self-service capture of graphomotor motions without requiring a proctor for direct observation. The system automatically records positional data, velocity, acceleration, and temporal characteristics of writing or drawing actions, eliminating the need for manual observation while maintaining or improving measurement precision through objective electronic data collection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The human proctor's observational function is replaced with electronic sensing capabilities of the digitizing tablet. The tablet's sensors automatically detect and record graphomotor parameters without requiring human interpretation, reducing system complexity by eliminating the proctor role while enhancing objectivity through electronic measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If qualitative interpretation is allowed, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to lack of standardization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterpretation flexibilityVSAvoidstandardization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the test administration process into distinct components: capture of graphomotor motions, extraction of quantitative features (position, velocity, acceleration, time), and separate analysis stages. This segmentation allows standardization of data collection while preserving flexibility in interpretation, as the raw motion data can be analyzed using standardized metrics without losing the nuance of qualitative assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms qualitative graphomotor characteristics into quantitative parameters such as position coordinates, velocity vectors, acceleration rates, and temporal measurements. This parameter transformation enables standardized comparison across different administrations while maintaining adaptability, as the quantitative data can be analyzed using various standardized metrics or customized interpretation frameworks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12176084B2Measuring representational motions in a medical context

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 LAHEY CLINIC FOUND

AI summary

A method includes receiving data representing graphomotor motion during a succession of executions of graphomotor diagnostic tasks performed in a medical context by a subject, processing the received data using a computer, including determining a first set of quantitative features from a first execution of a task by the subject, and determining a second set of quantitative features from a second execution of a task by the subject, determining one or more metrics based on a comparison to the successive executions, including using at least the first set of quantitative features and the second set of quantitative features to determine said metrics, and providing a diagnostic report associated with neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the subject's execution of the tasks based on the determined metrics.