Gaze stabilization system and method

Abstract

A system is disclosed that allows a practitioner to rotate a human subject's head in three-dimensional space using a robotic arm with a head mount attached to one end, while the subject is focused on a visual target.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating at least one system of a human subject comprising:
 arranging the human subject within a human receiving area facing a visual target;   securing a head mount to the human subject's head, wherein the head mount is affixed to and actuated by a distal end of a robotic arm, wherein the distal end is opposite of a base of the robotic arm;   actuating the head mount to move the human subject's head in three dimensional space while the human subject focuses on the visual target; and   collecting data indicative of position or movement of the human subject's eyes; and   adapting speed or amplitude of said actuating based on said data indicative of position or movement of the human subject's eyes.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the system is a system chosen from the group consisting of: a vestibular system, a visual system, and a proprioceptive system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the visual target is stationary during the actuating. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the visual target is moving during the actuating. 
     
     
         5 . A method of treating at least one system of a human subject comprising:
 arranging the human subject within a human receiving area facing a visual target;   securing a head mount to the human subject's head, wherein the head mount is affixed to and actuated by a distal end of a robotic arm, wherein the distal end is opposite of a base of the robotic arm;   actuating the head mount to move the human subject's head in three dimensional space while the human subject focuses on the visual target;   detecting resistance to movement of the head mount in each of three independent Cartesian axes during said actuating using a sensor system in the robotic arm; and   compensating for increases in said resistance by adapting speed or amplitude of said actuating.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of collecting data indicative of position or movement of the human subject's eyes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the system is one chosen from the group consisting of: a vestibular system, a visual system, and a proprioceptive system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the visual target is stationary during the actuating. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the visual target is moving during the actuating. 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating at least one system of a human subject comprising:
 arranging the human subject within a human receiving area facing a visual target;   securing a head mount to the human subject's head, wherein the head mount is affixed to and actuated by a distal end of a robotic arm, wherein the distal end is opposite of a base of the robotic arm;   actuating the head mount to move the human subject's head in three dimensional space while the human subject focuses on the visual target   detecting resistance to movement in each of three independent Cartesian axes during said actuating using a sensor system in the robotic arm;   compensating for increases in said resistance by adapting speed or amplitude of said actuating;   collecting data indicative of position or movement of the human subject's eyes; and   adapting speed or amplitude of said actuating based on said data indicative of position or movement of the human subject's eyes.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the system is one chosen from the group consisting of: a vestibular system, a visual system, and a proprioceptive system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the visual target is stationary during the actuating. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the visual target is moving during the actuating.