Virtual Reality Neglect Treatment System with Motion Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assessing and treating unilateral spatial neglect (USN) in stroke survivors are limited, as they often require intensive therapist involvement, are specific to certain tasks, and lack a robust, flexible system for mirror therapy, which can be costly and have unclear neural mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A system and method using computational feedback based on user movement tracking, incorporating virtual reality (VR) with motion capture technology to provide multi-sensory feedback, allowing for assessment and treatment of neglect without the need for a therapist, and enabling flexible therapeutic environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rehabilitative treatment consisting of physical and occupational therapy is used, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but cost and therapist involvement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidtherapist involvement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables patients to perform rehabilitative exercises independently through automated virtual reality tasks and motion tracking, eliminating the need for continuous therapist supervision while maintaining treatment effectiveness through programmed therapeutic protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual therapist assessment and guidance with automated motion capture technology, computational feedback systems, and virtual reality environments that provide structured therapeutic interventions without requiring physical therapist presence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If mirror therapy is implemented, then treatment flexibility is improved, but system robustness and neural mechanism clarity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic environment flexibilityVSAvoidneural mechanism clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates real-time motion tracking and computational feedback that monitors patient movements, provides performance metrics, and adjusts therapeutic parameters dynamically, creating a controlled environment where neural mechanisms can be systematically studied and understood

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual reality platform serves multiple functions including assessment, treatment delivery, and research data collection within a single integrated system, providing both therapeutic flexibility and scientific rigor through standardized yet adaptable protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If intensive therapist involvement is required for assessment and treatment, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneglect assessment accuracyVSAvoidtreatment throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual therapist-based assessment methods with automated motion capture and computational analysis that objectively measure spatial attention deficits, maintaining measurement precision while enabling simultaneous assessment of multiple patients

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces computational algorithms and motion tracking technology as intermediaries between patient behavior and therapist interpretation, automating the measurement and analysis processes to increase productivity while preserving assessment accuracy through validated computational models

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11488726B2System, method and apparatus for treatment of neglect

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 MINDMAZE GRP SA

AI summary

A system, method and apparatus for assessment and optional treatment of spatial attention deficit, such as neglect for example, with computational feedback, based upon tracking the movement of the user.