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Publication Number
US-10786152-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of screening a pupil of a subject to determine whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical pupil reflex is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of stimulating the pupil with a stimulus source, such as a pupilometer and determining whether one of various pupillary response conditions is met.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a hand-held pupilometer screening system and methods for assessing a health condition of a mammalian subject by evaluating pupillary responses. A pupilometer delivers a stimulus to the subject, and an imaging system detects and monitors a pupillary response following delivery of the stimulus. Pupillary response data are received and processed to generate pupil diameter measurements as a function of time, forming a pupil data profile and enabling interpretation of pupil reflex behavior in relation to a canonical reflex.
The method determines time values associated with each of a plurality of pupil diameter values and evaluates specific pupilary reflex response conditions. A first phase of the pupilary reflex response is defined as a period of non-constriction immediately subsequent to stimulating the pupil, with a duration constrained to a specified range. The analysis further applies conditions regarding allowable repeated pupil diameter data points over a limited period and requires that, during the first phase, the diameter of the pupil does not increase before it decreases.
Based on whether one or more of the quantitative conditions are met, the pupilometer provides an output indication whether the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex. The document also describes generating and analyzing metrics related to pupil dynamics, including latency and non-constriction phase duration, and applying decision logic to output the canonical-reflex resemblance determination.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent method claim (clm-00001). The independent claim contains four main inventive feature clusters focused on stimulus delivery and pupillary response monitoring, processing pupil diameter versus time data, applying constrained pupilary reflex conditions tied to a canonical reflex assessment, and outputting an indication that the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex when conditions are not met.
Pupilometer-delivered stimulus with imaging-based monitoring of pupillary response
Using a pupilometer to deliver a stimulus to the subject; using an imaging system in communication with the pupilometer to detect and monitor a pupillary response following delivery of the stimulus.
Microprocessor processing pupil diameter data as a function of time
Using a microprocessor in communication with the imaging system to receive pupillary response data and process pupil data comprising pupil diameter measurements as a function of time, including determining time values associated with each of a plurality of pupil diameter values.
Canonical-reflex decision logic from constrained pupilary reflex response conditions
Determining whether the following conditions are met: no more than two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at separate points in time during a period of no more than about four seconds; a first phase exists characterized by non-constriction immediately subsequent to stimulating the pupil with a duration greater than about 100 msec and less than about 1000 msec; if two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at two separate points in time then the duration between the two separate points in time is greater than about 100 msec; and during the first phase of the pupilary reflex, the diameter of the pupil does not increase before it decreases.
Output indication when pupil reflex does not resemble canonical reflex
Using the pupilometer to provide an output indication that the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex if one or more of the conditions (c)(i)-(c)(iv) are not met.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a microprocessor-driven interpretation of imaging-based pupil diameter versus time data, applying constrained quantitative pupilary reflex conditions to decide whether the observed pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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