Neural Event Process

Abstract

A neural event process, including receiving a neural response signal, decomposing the signal using at least one wavelet, differentiating phase data of the wavelets and the response signal to determine maxima and minima of the phase data and the signal, and processing the maxima and minima to determine peaks representing neural events.

1 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A neural response system, including: electrodes for connecting to a person to obtain a neural response signal; an amplifier for receiving and producing a sampled form of said signal for processing; and an analysis module for decomposing said signal using at least one wavelet, differentiating phase data of said wavelets and said response signal to determine maxima and minima of said phase data and said signal, and processing said maxima and minima to determine peaks representing neural events. 
     
     
         36 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , including a tilt chair for tilting a person to provide a stimulus to evoke said response signal. 
     
     
         37 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein said electrodes include an ECOG electrode placed adjacent a tympanic membrane of the person. 
     
     
         38 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said decomposing is performed using wavelets with a bandwidth factor less than one. 
     
     
         39 . A neural response as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein said wavelets have centre frequencies across a frequency spectrum of said signal. 
     
     
         40 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein said differentiating includes generating a number of derivatives of said phase data produced by said decomposing, and said maxima and minima of said phase data represent rate of change of phase of scales of said wavelets. 
     
     
         41 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein said differentiating includes generating a number of derivatives of said response signal to produce said maxima and minima of said signal, and said processing includes correlating said maxima and minima of said phase data and said signal based on time data for said maxima and minima. 
     
     
         42 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein said processing includes eliminating false peaks by applying threshold data to said maxima and minima. 
     
     
         43 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein said correlating includes linking said maxima across said scales and across a time band to eliminate false peaks. 
     
     
         44 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein said processing includes applying predetermined latency ranges for said peaks to said maxima and minima to determine said peaks. 
     
     
         45 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 44 , wherein said receiving includes filtering and sampling said response signal for said decomposing, differentiating and processing. 
     
     
         46 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein said bandwidth factor is between 0.05 and 0.4. 
     
     
         47 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein said bandwidth factor is 0.1 for low frequency scales and 0.4 for other scales. 
     
     
         48 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein said bandwidth factor is 0.05 for the lowest frequency scale. 
     
     
         49 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein said analysis module filters said response signal to remove at least one artefact. 
     
     
         50 . A neural response as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said neural events are represented by Sp and Ap markers corresponding to said peaks. 
     
     
         51 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said maxima and minima of said phase data and said signal are compared to generate an Sp/Ap plot. 
     
     
         52 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said neural response signal is produced in response to a head tilt of a person. 
     
     
         53 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said neural response is produced in response to an auditory stimulus of a person. 
     
     
         54 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating whether said person has a central nervous system disorder. 
     
     
         55 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating a response by said person to medication for a central nervous system disorder. 
     
     
         56 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating whether said person has Meniere's disease. 
     
     
         57 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating a response by said person to medication for Meniere's disease. 
     
     
         58 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating whether said person has Parkinson's disease. 
     
     
         59 . A neural response as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating a response by said person to medication for Parkinson's disease. 
     
     
         60 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating whether said person has depression. 
     
     
         61 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 52 , wherein said maxima and minima are used to generate data indicating a response by said person to medication for depression. 
     
     
         62 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said maxima and minima represent a response obtained direct from the vestibular system of a person. 
     
     
         63 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said maxima and minima represent components of the vestibular system. 
     
     
         64 . A neural response system as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein said maxima and minima represent a response obtained direct from auditory nuclei and subnuclei of the ear of a person. 
     
     
         65 .- 87 . (canceled)