SmoothEye Eye Tracker Quantitatively Measures Brain Impairment
The device can be used both for industrial and government applications like controlling drivers and operators of dangerous machines or systems by periodic screening and raising red flags if the operator’s score is deteriorated.
Significant part of human brain is devoted to the processing of visual information and precise eye movements allow to maintain excellent image quality. Any deterioration of brain function dramatically affects eye movements and thus tracking eye movements allows to detect brain problems like intoxication, neurological disorders, depression or mental illness. The tracker evaluates and documents smooth pursuit, fixation, pupil size and other parameters under controlled standard conditions. The parameters depend on each individual and are stored in a computer; deterioration of a parameter is a red flag leading to more checks. Among most evident reason of impairment is alcohol, which is detectable even after one or two drinks. Other reasons include, but are not limited to, hangover, drugs, brain trauma, sleep deprivation, depression, distress, and psychological trauma. For example, alcohol, schizophrenia and severe depression deteriorate smooth pursuit eye movement parameter.
Severe eye movement disturbance is noticeable even with naked eye but tiny changes require extensive computer processing:
Significant part of human brain is devoted to the processing of visual information and precise eye movements allow to maintain excellent image quality. Any deterioration of brain function dramatically affects eye movements and thus tracking eye movements allows to detect brain problems like intoxication, neurological disorders, depression or mental illness. The tracker evaluates and documents smooth pursuit, fixation, pupil size and other parameters under controlled standard conditions. The parameters depend on each individual and are stored in a computer; deterioration of a parameter is a red flag leading to more checks. Among most evident reason of impairment is alcohol, which is detectable even after one or two drinks. Other reasons include, but are not limited to, hangover, drugs, brain trauma, sleep deprivation, depression, distress, and psychological trauma. For example, alcohol, schizophrenia and severe depression deteriorate smooth pursuit eye movement parameter.
Severe eye movement disturbance is noticeable even with naked eye but tiny changes require extensive computer processing:
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While it is possible to simulate a low parameter score, it is not physiologically possible to simulate a high or “normal” parameter score while impaired.
Videonystagmography (VNG) currently replaces formerly widely used Electronystagmography (ENG). This is a group of tests is typically used to diagnose involuntary eye movement, dizziness, and balance disorders, and to evaluate some brain functions. Until now the test was performed at an imaging or vestibular center. The test is painless, noninvasive and absolutely risk-free. VNG test is potential candidate for the portable express brain screening device and may be used as a field traumatic brain injury (TBI) detection, concussions, or other brain function diagnostic.
Vision System Design magazine already published some materials about using of eye tracking methods in neurological field, for example, to enhance its understanding of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Portable inexpensive VNG systems could help physicians in emergency rooms to evaluate all acute vestibular syndromes and separate the patients who have benign peripheral vestibulopathies from central disorders (mostly brainstem or cerebellar strokes). We predict that one could separate those with over 90% accuracy, and potentially make a decision about patient's hospitalization within minutes without having to use bulky, expensive and slow equipment.
Until now the VNG testing systems were rather expensive ($20k-$200k), immobile and required qualified personnel to operate. It also required complicated calibration procedure that would take a long time and was not always appropriate to the patient's condition.
Recent decades saw significant progress in portable computing systems and in the image and signal processing in particular which allows to create amazing VNG-based portable screening systems such as SmoothEye.
Email us at info@smootheye.com for more information.
Videonystagmography (VNG) currently replaces formerly widely used Electronystagmography (ENG). This is a group of tests is typically used to diagnose involuntary eye movement, dizziness, and balance disorders, and to evaluate some brain functions. Until now the test was performed at an imaging or vestibular center. The test is painless, noninvasive and absolutely risk-free. VNG test is potential candidate for the portable express brain screening device and may be used as a field traumatic brain injury (TBI) detection, concussions, or other brain function diagnostic.
Vision System Design magazine already published some materials about using of eye tracking methods in neurological field, for example, to enhance its understanding of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Portable inexpensive VNG systems could help physicians in emergency rooms to evaluate all acute vestibular syndromes and separate the patients who have benign peripheral vestibulopathies from central disorders (mostly brainstem or cerebellar strokes). We predict that one could separate those with over 90% accuracy, and potentially make a decision about patient's hospitalization within minutes without having to use bulky, expensive and slow equipment.
Until now the VNG testing systems were rather expensive ($20k-$200k), immobile and required qualified personnel to operate. It also required complicated calibration procedure that would take a long time and was not always appropriate to the patient's condition.
Recent decades saw significant progress in portable computing systems and in the image and signal processing in particular which allows to create amazing VNG-based portable screening systems such as SmoothEye.
Email us at info@smootheye.com for more information.