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Publication Number
US-8393734-B2
Publication Date
2013-03-12
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. The method further includes the steps of using a pupilometer to track the pupil's constriction response over a duration of time, wherein the step of tracking the pupil constriction response begins substantially simultaneously with or immediately subsequent to time 0 and lasts for a period of time y, and using the pupilometer to collect a plurality of data points in which each data point corresponds with a diameter of the pupil at a specific time within the time duration y. The method further includes the step of generating a pupil data profile by compiling the data points and determining whether one or more conditions arc met. wherein the one or more conditions comprises the following: (a) more than two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at three or more separate times during duration y; (b) a first phase of the pupilary reflex response exists, wherein said first phase is characterized by a period of non-constriction immediately subsequent to time 0, said first phase having a duration of less than about 100 msec or greater than about 1000 msec; (c) if two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at two separate times y1 and y2 during duration y, then the duration of time between y1 and y2 is less than about 100 msec; or during the first phase of the pupilary reflex, the diameter of the pupil increases before it decreases. Existence of one of said conditions indicates that the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of screening a pupil of a subject to determine whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical pupil reflex. The method stimulates the pupil with a stimulus source and uses a pupilometer to track the pupil’s constriction response beginning when the pupil is stimulated, while collecting a plurality of data points during stimulation, each data point corresponding with a diameter of the pupil at a specific point in time.
The method generates a pupil data profile by compiling the collected data points. The pupilometer determines whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical reflex by evaluating four conditions, including limitations on the occurrence of same pupil diameters within a short period, the existence of a first phase characterized by a period of non-constriction immediately subsequent to stimulating the pupil, and constraints related to timing between repeated diameter values.
One timing/shape condition requires that if two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at two separate points in time, then the duration between the two points exceeds a specified minimum. Another condition requires that during the first phase of the pupilary reflex the diameter of the pupil does not increase before it decreases. If one or more of the conditions is absent, the pupilometer provides an output indicating that the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent method claim. It covers screening a pupil by stimulating, collecting and compiling time-stamped pupil diameter data with a pupilometer, and determining resemblance to a canonical pupil reflex via four specific conditions, with failure of any condition yielding a non-canonical output.
Stimulus-driven pupil constriction tracking with time-stamped diameter data collection
Stimulating the pupil with a stimulus source; using a pupilometer to track the pupil's constriction response beginning when the pupil is stimulated; collecting a plurality of data points during stimulation, each data point corresponding with a diameter of the pupil at a specific point in time.
Canonical resemblance determination using a compiled pupil data profile and four conditions
Generating a pupil data profile by compiling the data points; determining whether four conditions are met: no more than two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at separate points in times during about four seconds; a first phase exists characterized by a period of non-constriction immediately subsequent to stimulating the pupil; if two data points exist representing the same pupil diameter at two separate points in time, then the duration between the two points is greater than about 100 msec; and during the first phase, the diameter does not increase before it decreases.
Non-canonical output when one or more canonical conditions are absent
If the pupilometer determines that one or more of the conditions is absent, the pupilometer provides an output that indicates that the pupil reflex does not resemble a canonical reflex.
Overall claim coverage centers on stimulus-triggered pupilometer tracking, compilation of time-resolved pupil diameter data into a pupil data profile, and a canonical-comparison logic that enforces specific quantitative conditions on repeated diameter occurrences, the initial non-constriction first-phase timing, minimum time separation between repeated diameter values, and the non-increasing behavior of diameter during the first phase; absence of any condition yields an output indicating the reflex does not resemble the canonical reflex.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Screening a pupil to determine whether the pupil reflex resembles a canonical pupil reflex.
Glaucoma screening with patterned blue retinal stimulation.
Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) detection via amplitude-modulated reflex timing/velocities.
Brain function tracking, including autism-related tracking errors.
Afferent/efferent pathway testing via noxious stimulation.
Hearing screening via sound-stimulus evoked pupil responses.
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