Method, system and apparatus for diagnostic assessment and screening of binocular dysfunctions
Inventors
Alvarez, Tara Lynn • YARAMOTHU, Chang • D'ANTONIO-BERTAGNOLLI, John Vito • SCHEIMAN, Mitchell
Assignees
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Publication Number
US-12178509-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-31
Expiration Date
2039-06-18
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Abstract
Exemplary embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatus to objectively assess binocular dysfunction for screening, diagnoses, and evaluation of vision/oculomotor function before, during, and after various forms of therapeutic interventions. Systems and methods diagnose and assess binocular dysfunction objectively and automatically, can render a visual stimulus on one or more displays, and can control accommodative and proximal vergence stimulation of a user's eyes.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems, methods, and apparatus for objectively assessing binocular dysfunction for screening, diagnosis, and evaluation of vision/oculomotor function before, during, and after various forms of therapeutic interventions. The system utilizes a head mounted display and a computing system to render visual stimuli with stereoscopic effects and measures a range of oculomotor characteristics objectively, employing an oculomotor assessment software platform (OASP).
The problem addressed is the need for objective and automatic measurement of oculomotor function to screen for binocular dysfunction, as existing techniques are subjective and require clinical expertise for accurate assessment. The invention enables use by both eye care and non-eye care professionals, overcoming the deficiencies of traditional screening tools.
The disclosed embodiments can quantify clinical metrics such as near point of convergence, fusional vergence range, phoria, fixation disparity, vergence facility, saccades, smooth pursuit, and binocular endurance. The system supports dynamic adjustment of visual stimuli, integrates real-time eye tracking, and can operate in virtual, augmented, or mixed reality settings, including machine learning models to optimize efficiency and maintain assessment sensitivity.
Claims Coverage
There are three principal inventive features captured by the independent claims: an objective assessment system, a corresponding method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium for oculomotor function assessment.
Objective oculomotor function assessment system
A system comprising a head mounted display generating a stereoscopic effect and a computing system that: - Renders a visual stimulus and adjusts it to elicit a response from the user’s visual system. - Objectively measures at least a subset of a plurality of oculomotor characteristics based on the user’s response. - Dynamically adjusts stimulus rendering via a non-linear program sequence using a trained machine learning model to reduce either the duration or the resources required for the oculomotor assessment, without reducing sensitivity. - Combines the measured subset of oculomotor characteristics to generate an oculomotor function assessment.
Objective oculomotor function assessment method
A method involving: 1. Rendering a visual stimulus with a head mounted display utilizing a stereoscopic effect. 2. Adjusting the visual stimulus (by a computing system) to elicit a visual response from a user wearing the head mounted display. 3. Objectively measuring at least a subset of a plurality of oculomotor characteristics based on the response. 4. Dynamically adjusting the visual stimulus rendering to a non-linear program sequence using a trained machine learning model to reduce assessment duration and/or resources, while not reducing sensitivity. 5. Generating the oculomotor function assessment by combining the at least a subset of the plurality of oculomotor characteristics.
Computer-readable medium for automated oculomotor function assessment
A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processing device to: - Render visual stimulus with a head mounted display using a stereoscopic effect. - Adjust the stimulus to elicit a response from the user. - Objectively measure at least a subset of a plurality of oculomotor characteristics based on the response. - Dynamically adjust the rendering of the stimulus using a trained machine learning model with a non-linear program sequence to reduce duration and/or resources, without reducing assessment sensitivity. - Generate the oculomotor function assessment by combining the measured oculomotor characteristics.
The inventive features provide objective, adaptive, and automated assessment of oculomotor function using a head mounted display and computing system, integrating real-time measurement, dynamic stimulus adjustment with machine learning, and comprehensive assessment generation.
Stated Advantages
The system provides objective and automatic assessment of binocular dysfunction, reducing reliance on subjective evaluations and clinical expertise.
The assessment process can be efficiently optimized by dynamic adjustment of stimuli using trained machine learning models, reducing assessment duration and required resources while maintaining sensitivity.
Quantitative data generated allows clinicians to track patient progression or response to therapeutic interventions.
The system accommodates virtual, augmented, and mixed reality settings and can be used by both eye care and non-eye care professionals.
Documented Applications
Screening, diagnosis, and evaluation of binocular dysfunction and oculomotor function before, during, and after therapeutic interventions.
Use by various healthcare professionals, including school nurses, occupational, physical, and vision therapists, pediatricians, family physicians, sports medicine clinicians, sports trainers, coaches, optometrists, and ophthalmologists.
Application in virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality environments for assessment and therapy.
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