Interactive Node Assessment for Objective Neurologic Function Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current assessment methods for neurologic and muscular function, particularly in conditions like cerebral palsy and stroke, are subjective and lack clinical applicability due to reliance on human evaluation and expensive equipment, failing to accurately quantify developmental disregard and neglect, and uncouple therapy effectiveness from testing.
Innovation Solution
An interactive assessment system with an interactive display and sensors that objectively measure neurologic function by tracking user interactions with nodes, providing quantitative feedback and adaptive testing to differentiate between hands, and record precise timing and bilateral information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human experts evaluate and score existing assessments, then subjective evaluation is performed, but measurement precision and objectivity deteriorate due to expert-to-expert subjectivity and variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human expert evaluation with an automated computational system that processes sensor data objectively. The processing device automatically scores assessments based on predefined criteria, eliminating human subjectivity and variability while maintaining ease of operation through automated scoring algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors and processing devices as intermediaries between the user's motor behavior and the assessment evaluation. These intermediaries objectively capture and quantify motor performance metrics, serving as a neutral mediator that eliminates expert-to-expert variability while preserving the evaluative function.
2Device complexity
If coarse-grained activity measurements are used in existing assessments, then ease of scoring is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to precisely quantify developmental disregard and neglect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments motor behavior into discrete, quantifiable components through sensor measurements of specific motor tasks. By breaking down complex motor functions into measurable elements (position, velocity, acceleration, timing), the system achieves precise quantification of developmental disregard and neglect without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of measurement from coarse-grained counts to fine-grained quantitative metrics including temporal parameters (reaction time, movement duration), spatial parameters (reach distance, trajectory), and kinematic parameters (velocity, acceleration). This enables precise measurement while maintaining manageable system complexity through focused parameter selection.
3Measurement precision
If expensive and complex research equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and clinical applicability worsen due to prohibitive cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available sensors and computing devices that can be manufactured and deployed widely in clinical settings. Rather than relying on expensive specialized equipment, the system uses cost-effective components that maintain sufficient measurement precision for clinical assessment purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional assessment system that can evaluate various motor functions (fine motor control, gross motor control, bilateral coordination, temporal processing) using a single integrated platform. This universal system replaces multiple specialized research devices, improving ease of manufacture and clinical applicability while maintaining measurement precision across diverse assessment domains.
4Ease of operation
If existing assessments conflate volition with ability, then ease of administration is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates by confusing cognitive ability with visuo-motor and tactile performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing specific sensor-based measurements that isolate and measure distinct motor components independently. Different sensor configurations and measurement protocols capture fine motor control, gross motor control, bilateral coordination, and temporal processing separately, preventing conflation of cognitive ability with visuo-motor and tactile performance while maintaining ease of administration through standardized protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive assessment system for measuring neurologic function and method of use are provided herein. The interactive assessment system includes an interactive assessment device comprising an interactive display defining longitudinal and lateral columns of interactive nodes, each interactive node is coupled to a sensor, and has an illumination mode and a delumination mode. The interactive assessment system also including a processing device in communication with the interactive assessment device and configured to perform logic functions based upon user inputs on the interactive assessment device. The processing device includes memory wherein previously input interactions with the interactive assessment device are stored and tagged as successes, failure, or interaction events. The processing device provides instruction to the interactive assessment device to assign nodes to the illumination mode and the delumination mode.