Vestibulo-ocular Function Assessment Using Head Motion and Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing vestibulo-ocular function are invasive, time-consuming, and expensive, requiring measurement of eye movements, which limits their practicality in clinical and experimental settings.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a motion sensor coupled to the head to provide head-motion signals, a data processing system to adjust image motion based on user input, and a visual display to assess vestibulo-ocular function without directly measuring eye movements, allowing users to control image motion to appear stationary during head movement, thereby providing a surrogate measure of vestibulo-ocular reflex gain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If eye movement measurement methods are used to assess vestibulo-ocular function, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity, cost, and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the eye movement measurement process by having users adjust image motion to compensate for head movement. Instead of directly measuring eye movements with complex equipment, the system uses a simplified approach where users manually adjust image position and velocity to match their perceived stationary vision, thereby inferring vestibulo-ocular function without direct eye tracking hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical eye tracking system with a computational approach. Rather than using cameras and sensors to physically track eye movements, the system uses software to calculate image motion based on head sensor data and user feedback, substituting a complex mechanical measurement system with a computational model that derives vestibulo-ocular function from user-adjusted image parameters
2Measurement precision
If specialized eye movement measurement equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to specialized training requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing users to directly adjust image motion parameters without requiring operator intervention or specialized training. Users interact with simple controls to adjust image position and velocity, and the system automatically calculates vestibulo-ocular function based on their adjustments, eliminating the need for trained operators to configure and operate complex eye tracking equipment
3Measurement precision
If direct eye movement recording is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by focusing only on the essential aspect of vestibulo-ocular function assessment rather than performing complete eye movement analysis. Instead of recording and analyzing full eye movement trajectories, the system uses a simplified approach where users adjust image motion to compensate for head movement, capturing only the critical vestibulo-ocular gain information needed for functional assessment, thereby reducing time requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A system for assessing vestibulo-ocular function includes a motion sensor system adapted to be coupled to a user's head; a data processing system configured to communicate with the motion sensor system to receive the head-motion signals; a visual display system configured to communicate with the data processing system to receive image signals from the data processing system; and a gain control device arranged to be operated by the user and to communicate gain adjustment signals to the data processing system.