Portable Vestibular Concussion Testing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current concussion assessment methods are inadequate in detecting visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular brain function impairments, particularly in sports settings where timely and accurate diagnosis is critical to prevent further injury.
Innovation Solution
A portable hand-held computer-based testing system that engages the vestibular system through rotation and includes interactive tests such as saccades, pursuits, combined fixation and proprioception, and photo differentiation recognition to detect reductions in cerebral function, utilizing user interfaces and accelerometers to analyze responses and determine concussion presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional concussion assessment methods are used, then the testing process is simple, but the detection accuracy for visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular functions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The assessment system is divided into multiple independent test modules: visual acuity test, saccades test, pursuits test, photo differentiation recognition test, combined fixation and proprioception test, and vestibular test. Each module targets specific brain functions and can be administered separately, allowing comprehensive assessment while maintaining manageable complexity in each individual test component.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable computer-based testing system serves multiple functions: it administers various types of concussion assessment tests, captures user responses through touchscreen interaction, processes data to detect reductions in cerebral function, and provides real-time assessment results. This multi-functional integration improves detection accuracy without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive tests covering multiple brain functions are administered, then the diagnostic accuracy improves, but the testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system employs periodic visual stimuli and structured test sequences that can be administered efficiently. Tests such as the pursuits test with moving icons and the saccades test with sequentially presented targets use timed, periodic presentations that standardize administration time while comprehensively assessing visual and cognitive functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable computer-based system automatically administers tests, captures responses through touchscreen interaction, processes data, and generates assessment results without requiring extensive administrator intervention. This automation reduces the time burden on test administrators while maintaining comprehensive assessment coverage.
3Productivity
If real-time assessment is implemented, then the speed of diagnosis improves, but the complexity of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback by automatically processing test responses and generating real-time assessment results. The computer-based platform analyzes user interactions across multiple test modules and instantly determines whether reductions in cerebral function are present, enabling rapid diagnostic decision-making without complex manual analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual assessment methods with computer-based automated testing and data processing. The portable computer automatically captures touchscreen responses, processes test data, and generates diagnostic conclusions, eliminating the need for complex manual scoring and analysis while achieving real-time assessment.
4Ease of operation
If portable hand-held computer-based testing is used, then the ease of operation on sidelines improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple assessment functions into a single portable computer-based platform. The device integrates visual acuity testing, saccades testing, pursuits testing, photo differentiation recognition, combined fixation and proprioception testing, and vestibular testing capabilities, along with automated data processing and result generation, into one handheld unit that can be easily transported and operated on sports sidelines.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for testing a subject to detect a reduction in cerebral function presumably resulting from mild traumatic brain injury, that affects visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular brain functions includes: providing a user interface, input device, and portable computer into the hands of the test subject suspected of having mild traumatic brain injury; providing an icon on the user interface visible to the subject; rotating the subject holding the computer a predetermined number of revolutions, at a predetermined rate of rotation, to engage the vestibular system of the subject prior to testing; aligning, by the subject, the icon on the screen of the user interface in alignment with a test administrator; maintaining the alignment of the icon on the screen and the test administrator throughout the rotations; and conducting a real-time test for mild traumatic brain injury utilizing the user interface, the user input device, and the associated computer.