Gaze Tracking for Routine Neurological Weakness Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eye examinations for determining neurological health are time-consuming, require specialized facilities and personnel, and are not commonly practiced due to their complexity.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize an optical display, scanning device, and processing unit to detect gaze direction and derive neurological weaknesses without requiring predetermined stimuli, allowing for automated and cost-effective assessment of neurological health using existing visual stimuli.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional eye examination methods are used to determine neurological health, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the examination becomes time-consuming and requires specialized facilities and personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneurological health assessment accuracyVSAvoidexamination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-assessment of neurological health by having the subject naturally interact with displayed stimuli while the scanning device automatically tracks eye movements and the processing device autonomously analyzes gaze patterns to detect neurological weaknesses, eliminating the need for examiner intervention in the measurement process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual examination procedures with an automated optical system consisting of a scanning device that uses cameras and image processing algorithms to track eye movements, substituting the mechanical interaction between examiner and examinee with an optical-mechanical automated system that continuously monitors and analyzes gaze patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional eye examination methods are used, then reliable neurological assessment can be obtained, but device complexity and cost increase due to specialized equipment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneurological health determination reliabilityVSAvoidexamination equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a standard display device that can present various types of visual stimuli (text, images, videos) for different neurological assessments, and a scanning device that can track eye movements across multiple conditions, making the equipment versatile and applicable to various neurological examinations rather than requiring specialized single-purpose devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital model of natural visual behavior by capturing and analyzing the subject's eye movement patterns in response to displayed stimuli, copying the natural gaze behavior that would occur during normal reading or viewing activities, and using this copied behavior data to infer neurological health status through pattern recognition algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If automated gaze tracking is implemented, then productivity increases, but the system requires sophisticated processing algorithms increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexamination throughputVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing device divides the complex task of neurological assessment into separate analytical modules that independently evaluate different aspects of eye movement (fixation duration, saccade amplitude, pursuit smoothness) and combine results, allowing parallel processing of multiple gaze parameters to increase throughput while managing computational complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4686444A1Determining a neural health state of a subject
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 ETM PROFESSIONAL CONTROL GMBH
  • EP4686444A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4686444A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4686444A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device (100) for determining a neurological health status of a person (105) comprises an optical display (110) for providing an optical stimulus (115) to the person (105); a scanning device for determining a gaze direction (120) of the person (105) with respect to the optical stimulus (115); a processing device (135) configured to detect a neurological weakness of the person (105) on the basis of the detected gaze direction (120) and a provided optical stimulus (115); and an output device for providing a determination result.