Eye Tracker Analyzes Ocular Fixations for Neurological Disorder Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, ADHD, Parkinson's Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease lack effective and non-invasive techniques for assessing cognitive performance and neurological function, particularly in monitoring eye movements and pupil behavior during reading and visual tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an eye tracker, a processor, and a display that analyzes eye-tracking data and pupil behavior while a subject reads or performs visual tasks, using intelligent algorithms to identify and classify features associated with neurological disorders, including ocular fixations, saccade amplitude, and pupil diameter, to detect compromises in attentional, working memory, executive, and retrieval processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used for detecting neurological disorders, then the detection process is simple, but the measurement precision and reliability of cognitive performance assessment are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or paper-based cognitive assessment methods with an optical eye tracking system. The eye tracker uses optical sensors to monitor eye movements, pupil diameter, and ocular fixations, substituting mechanical assessment tools with a non-invasive optical measurement system that provides more precise data on cognitive performance and neurological function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces eye movement patterns as an intermediary measure to assess cognitive performance and neurological disorders. Instead of directly measuring cognitive functions, the system uses eye tracking data (ocular fixations, saccade amplitude, pupil diameter) as intermediate indicators that reflect underlying cognitive processes and neurological status, enabling indirect but precise assessment.
2Measurement precision
If invasive techniques are used for neurological assessment, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation and subject comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a non-invasive eye tracking system that requires no physical intervention or cooperation beyond natural eye movement during reading or visual tasks. The subject simply views stimuli while the eye tracker automatically records ocular parameters, eliminating the need for invasive procedures, surgical implants, or complex subject cooperation, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while ensuring ease of operation.
3Reliability
If comprehensive eye movement analysis is performed, then the detection reliability improves, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and analyzes specific key parameters from comprehensive eye movement data, such as ocular fixation count, saccade amplitude, and pupil diameter, rather than processing all raw eye tracking data. This selective extraction of diagnostically relevant features maintains detection reliability by focusing on the most informative parameters while significantly reducing data processing time and computational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a balanced analysis approach that processes a subset of eye movement parameters sufficient for reliable neurological assessment without analyzing every possible eye tracking metric. By selecting and analyzing only the necessary parameters (partial action), the system achieves adequate detection reliability while minimizing data processing time, avoiding both insufficient analysis and excessive computation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods evaluate eye movements in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients who receive different drugs (e.g., Dimethyl fumarate, Fingolimod, Cladribine, Ofatumumab) or treatments that (a) decrease inflammation and prevent nerve damage that can cause symptoms of multiple sclerosis); (b) test Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator, which sequesters lymphocytes in the lymphocytes nodes, preventing them from contributing to an autoimmune reaction); (c) check an Immune suppressor agent that works on the lymphocyte's pathway) and (d) analyze the effect of Monoclonal Antibodies for inhibiting the activation of lymphocyte B.