Wearable Visual Pathway Assessment System for MS Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing afferent and efferent visual functions in multiple sclerosis patients are limited by the need for specialized equipment and expertise, making it difficult to conduct these measurements in acute care settings such as emergency rooms and urgent care centers.
Innovation Solution
A wearable system that includes a display for visual stimuli, an EEG sensor for measuring brain activity, an eye-tracker for monitoring eye movements, and a processor to analyze the data, allowing for concurrent assessment of afferent and efferent visual functions without the need for dedicated space or technical expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and facilities are used for assessing afferent and efferent visual functions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines afferent visual pathway assessment (via EEG/VEP) and efferent visual pathway assessment (via eye-tracking) into a single integrated wearable system. This merging of previously separate measurement systems into one unified device reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision for both visual pathways simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable system performs multiple functions: it assesses both afferent and efferent visual pathways, provides diagnostic information for multiple sclerosis, and can be used in various care settings (acute care, outpatient, home). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment for different types of visual assessments.
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and facilities are used for assessing afferent and efferent visual functions, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The wearable system is designed to be self-contained and portable, requiring minimal setup and no specialized technical expertise to operate. The system can be deployed in acute care centers, urgent care facilities, and home settings without requiring dedicated specialized facilities or highly trained personnel, making it easy to operate while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If conventional assessment methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables simultaneous and continuous assessment of both afferent and efferent visual pathways in a single integrated measurement process. This eliminates the need for sequential testing with separate equipment, thereby improving productivity by reducing total assessment time while maintaining the precision of both measurement types through concurrent data collection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables the widespread application of quantitative afferent/efferent vision testing in various care settings, facilitating earlier diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of multiple sclerosis, while also providing a more rapid and cost-effective means of assessing visual dysfunction.
Implementation Method 1
an electroencephalography (EEG) sensor configured to be placed on a head of the user to measure electrical activity in a brain of the user that occurs in response to the visual stimuli
Implementation Method 2
an eye-tracker configured to track the eye movements
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for assessing afferent and efferent visual functions are disclosed. In one aspect, a wearable system for concurrently assessing afferent and efferent visual functions includes a display configured to be placed in front of a face of a user and provide visual stimuli to the user to elicit eye movements, an electroencephalography (EEG) sensor configured to be placed on a head of the user to measure electrical activity in a brain of the user that occurs in response to the visual stimuli, an eye-tracker configured to track the eye movements, and a processor coupled to the display, the electroencephalography sensor, and the eye-tracker to: cause the visual stimuli to be presented on the display; obtain an electroencephalography signal from the EEG sensor; obtain eye-tracking measurements from the eye-tracker; and determine, based on the electroencephalography signal and the eye-tracking measurements, information associated with the afferent and efferent visual functions.