Methods and kits for assessing central nervous system integrity
Inventors
Samadani, Uzma • Shani Offen,, null • Carrasco-Queijeiro, Marisa • Heeger, David
Assignees
New York University NYU • US Department of Veterans Affairs
Publication Number
US-11304601-B2
Publication Date
2022-04-19
Expiration Date
2033-03-25
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Abstract
The invention provides methods and kits for detecting, screening, quantifying or localizing the etiology for reduced or impaired cranial nerve function or conduction or associated cranial nucleus or supranuclear input, useful for detecting, diagnosing or screening for increased intracranial pressure, or useful for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring progression of or screening for a disease or condition featuring increased intracranial pressure by tracking eye movement of the subject. The methods may be performed by a) analyzing eye movement of the subject; b) comparing eye movement of the subject to eye movement of a control or the subject's own baseline eye movement; and c) identifying the subject as having eye movement significantly different from the control or the subject's own baseline eye movement.
Core Innovation
The invention provides methods and kits for detecting, screening, quantifying or localizing the etiology for reduced or impaired cranial nerve function or conduction or associated cranial nucleus or supranuclear input, useful for detecting, diagnosing or screening for increased intracranial pressure, or useful for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring progression of or screening for a disease or condition featuring increased intracranial pressure by tracking eye movement of the subject. The methods involve analyzing eye movement of the subject, comparing it to that of a control or to the subject's own baseline, and identifying significant differences.
The methods disclosed include tracking eye movement, analyzing the data, comparing it to normative controls or baseline, and identifying abnormalities indicative of neurological function impairment, including cranial nerve dysfunction and increased intracranial pressure. The invention also provides kits and computing systems for implementing such methods.
The problem addressed is the need for non-invasive, sensitive, and rapid methods of assessing central nervous system integrity and detecting elevated intracranial pressure and related conditions. Existing methods rely on invasive procedures, imaging which may not always detect elevated intracranial pressure, or examinations that may be qualitative and examiner-dependent. There is a lack of practical, quantitative, and easily deployable assessment tools for these clinical conditions.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims two independent claims that cover methods for detecting cranial nerve dysfunction through eye movement analysis and for screening multiple sclerosis using eye movement tracking.
Detection of cranial nerve II dysfunction via eye movement analysis
A method comprising tracking a subject's eye movement using an eye tracker with a camera, creating a dataset via a processor, generating a plot reflecting eye position versus time, identifying one or more streaking vertical lines indicative of a cranial nerve II deficit, and prescribing treatment including antibiotics, steroids, or surgery when such a deficit is identified.
Screening for multiple sclerosis by eye movement tracking
A method including tracking eye movement using an eye tracker camera, generating a dataset, creating a timecourse plot of eye position, identifying streaking vertical lines signaling cranial nerve II impairment, and prescribing treatment such as antibiotics, steroids, or surgical intervention if a deficit is detected.
The independent claims focus on using eye tracking data to identify specific patterns—namely streaking vertical lines in plots—that indicate impaired cranial nerve II function. These methods enable screening for conditions like multiple sclerosis and guide subsequent treatment decisions.
Stated Advantages
The methods provide high sensitivity for detecting elevated intracranial pressure and other neurological impairments through non-invasive, quantitative eye movement tracking.
They overcome limitations of conventional diagnostics by offering rapid, objective assessments that do not require invasive measures, sedation, or radiation exposure.
The techniques can detect subclinical cranial nerve palsies and differentiate various neuropathies based on eye movement characteristics.
The methods do not require subject cooperation for spatial calibration, making them suitable for patients unable to follow instructions.
They enable localization of intracranial lesions and monitoring of disease progression or recovery over time.
Documented Applications
Detecting or screening for reduced or impaired cranial nerve function or conduction, including cranial nerves II, III, IV, and VI.
Detecting, diagnosing, monitoring progression of, or screening for increased intracranial pressure and associated conditions such as hydrocephalus, transtentorial herniation, concussion, cerebral vascular accidents, aneurysms, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases, and pseudotumor.
Screening for concussion and cranial nerve palsies.
Quantifying severity of normal pressure hydrocephalus, detecting shunt malfunction, and optimizing valve pressure for treatment.
Evaluating posterior fossa mass effect as manifested by cranial nerve VI palsy.
Detecting or diagnosing disorders impeding conductance through the optic disc or optic nerve, including optic neuropathy.
Use of kits containing eye tracking devices, software algorithms, and instructions for assessing neurological integrity.
Application in clinical monitoring, rehabilitation, patient screening in emergency and outpatient settings, and evaluation of neurological recovery states such as minimal consciousness and aphasia.
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