Systems and methods for assessing cognitive function
Inventors
Blackwell, Andrew • Barnett, Jennifer
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10827926-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method for neurological analysis and treatment is described. In one embodiment, a server sends a request to a wearable device for sensor data of a patient. The server receives sensor data from the wearable device, and sends instructions to the wearable device to present a cognitive test based on the sensor data. The server receives from the wearable device, results of the cognitive test, compares the results against a baseline, and determines an assessment of the user. A notification may be sent to the wearable device based on the assessment. A wearable device for use in the analysis and treatment is also described.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring brain health and cognitive function by repeatedly measuring physical parameters via wearable sensors. Sensor data is compared with predetermined baselines, including normal/abnormal behavior and cognitive-test baselines, and the approach includes using user historic data and/or relevant scientifically-validated data sets for general populations and for populations with specific neurological disorders to determine an assessment of cognitive function based on the comparison.
The method further presents scientifically-validated cognitive tests to obtain data about the user’s cognitive function based on the received sensor data and the comparison to predetermined baselines. The results of the scientifically-validated cognitive tests are analyzed at a server or local computing device to determine an assessment of the user’s cognitive function, and the invention includes sending notifications and, based on the results of the first scientifically-validated cognitive test, presenting a second test and including second test results in the assessment.
In described embodiments, the workflow is implemented with a remote server or a local computing device connected to a wearable device. Application examples include monitoring and assessment across neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions such as epilepsy, dementia/mild cognitive impairment, multiple sclerosis, stress, and sleep deprivation, and use in clinical trial contexts for assessing treatment safety/efficacy, including comparisons using active and placebo arms and reducing “white-coat” noise.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three related aspects: a server-based method, a wearable device, and a computer readable medium. Across these claims, the inventive features center on wearable sensor measurements, scientifically-validated cognitive tests, comparison to predetermined baselines including user historic data and population datasets, and assessment with notification and a second test based on first-test results.
Server request to wearable for sensor data and cognitive testing instructions
sending, by a server, a request to a wearable device for sensor data relating to at least one physical parameter; sending instructions to the wearable device to present a scientifically-validated cognitive test to obtain data about the user’s cognitive function, based on the sensor data
Baseline comparison using user historic data and neurological-disorder population datasets
comparing, by the server, the results of the scientifically-validated cognitive test against a predetermined baseline including historic data of the user; relevant scientifically-validated data sets for general populations; and relevant scientifically-validated data sets for populations with specific neurological disorders
Assessment, notification, and second test based on first-test results
determining, at the server, an assessment of the user’s cognitive function based on the comparison and the received sensor data; sending a notification to the wearable device based on the assessment; sending instructions to the wearable device to present a second test; receiving results of the second test and including them in the assessment
Wearable device with sensors, threshold comparison, cognitively-triggered testing, and baseline comparison
a plurality of sensors configured to measure at least one physical parameter; comparing the measurements to predetermined threshold values to determine to present a scientifically-validated cognitive test to obtain data about the user’s cognitive function based on the comparison; recording results of the scientifically-validated cognitive test; comparing the results to a predetermined baseline including historic data of the user; relevant scientifically-validated data sets for general populations; and relevant scientifically-validated data sets for populations with specific neurological disorders; determining an assessment based on the comparison and the at least one measured physical parameter
Wearable notification and follow-on second test included in the assessment
displaying a notification regarding the assessment; presenting a second test based on the results of the scientifically-validated cognitive test; recording results of the second test and including results of the second test in the determination of the assessment
Computer-readable medium configuring periodic wearable measurements and cognitive testing workflow
instructions that cause the wearable device to measure at least one physical parameter of a user periodically using a plurality of sensors; compare the measurements to predetermined threshold values; determine to present a scientifically-validated cognitive test to obtain data about the user’s cognitive function based on the comparison; present the scientifically-validated cognitive test; record results to memory
Baseline comparison, assessment alert, and second test based on first-test results
comparing the results of the scientifically-validated cognitive test to a predetermined baseline including historic data of the user; relevant scientifically-validated data sets for general populations; and relevant scientifically-validated data sets for populations with specific neurological disorders; determining an assessment based on the comparison and the at least one measured physical parameter; displaying an alert through the wearable based on the determination; presenting a second test through the user interface based on the results of the scientifically-validated cognitive test and including results of the second test in the determination of the assessment
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the coupling of wearable sensor measurements and scientifically-validated cognitive tests to a comparison against predetermined baselines that include user historic data and population datasets, including neurological-disorder populations. The claims further require determining an assessment of cognitive function and providing notification or alerting, with a second test presented based on the results of the first scientifically-validated cognitive test and included in the assessment.
Stated Advantages
Enables assessment of cognitive function by integrating wearable sensor data with scientifically-validated cognitive test results compared to predetermined baselines, including user historic data and relevant population datasets.
Supports follow-up cognitive testing by presenting a second test based on results of the first scientifically-validated cognitive test.
Described in clinical trial contexts for assessing treatment safety/efficacy while comparing active and placebo arms and reducing “white-coat” noise.
Documented Applications
Monitoring and assessment across neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions including epilepsy, dementia/mild cognitive impairment, multiple sclerosis, stress, and sleep deprivation.
Clinical trial use for assessing treatment safety/efficacy using comparisons such as active versus placebo arms and reduced “white-coat” noise.
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