Nystagmus testing device and method

Abstract

A device, system, and method for operating a nystagmus testing device is disclosed. The device comprising a camera configured to face a test subject to capture eye movements of the test subject, a start button configured to start a nystagmus routine, a front display positioned to face the test subject configured to display a visual stimulus, a rear display positioned to face a test administrator configured to display a visual tracker, and a controller configured to control movements of the visual stimulus and the visual tracker on the front and rear display, respectively, and generate data of the nystagmus routine.

1 . A method for operating a nystagmus testing device, the method comprising:
 receiving a start signal to start a nystagmus routine, the nystagmus routine including a plurality of tests,   illuminating, in response to receiving the start signal, an indicator indicative of a corresponding test of the nystagmus routine,   conducting, in response to receiving the start signal, the corresponding test by (i) moving a visual stimulus on a front display of the nystagmus testing device facing a test subject and (ii) moving a visual tracker on a rear display of the nystagmus testing device facing a test administrator,   recording, in response to conducting the corresponding test, data associated with the corresponding test, and   advancing to a next test of the nystagmus routine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tests is directed to determining one of lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees, and vertical gaze nystagmus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the indicator is one of a visual indicator and an audible indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the visual indicator illuminates a first color indicating that the corresponding test is ready or completed and a second color indicating that the corresponding test is started. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a restart signal to restart the corresponding test, and   conducting, in response to receiving the start signal, the corresponding test by (i) moving the visual stimulus on the front display of the nystagmus testing device and (ii) moving the visual tracker on the rear display of the nystagmus testing device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining whether the corresponding test is completed. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein determining whether the corresponding test is completed comprises determining whether the nystagmus testing device was stable for a predefined period of time. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein determining whether the nystagmus testing device was stable for a predefined period of time comprises determining whether a pressure sensor signal received from at least one pressure sensor was within a predetermined range for a predefined period of time. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein determining whether the nystagmus testing device was stable for a predefined period of time comprises determining whether the nystagmus testing device was leveled or plumbed for a predefined period of time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising illuminating, in response to receiving the start signal, an LED light, wherein the LED light is configured to illuminate a first color indicating that the corresponding test is ready or completed and a second color indicating that the corresponding test has started. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data includes eye movements of the test subject and positions of the visual stimulus during the corresponding test. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising displaying the data of the corresponding test, wherein displaying the data comprises displaying eye movements of the test subject relative to the position of the visual stimulus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a test selection signal indicative of a next test of the nystagmus routine,   performing, in response to receiving the test selection signal, the next test by (i) moving the visual stimulus on the front display of the nystagmus testing device and (ii) moving the visual tracker on the rear display of the nystagmus testing device, and   recording, in response to conducting the next test, data associated with the next test.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the nystagmus testing device in front of the test subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further monitoring, by the test administrator, an eye movement of the test subject with respect to a position of the visual tracker displayed on the rear display. 
     
     
         16 . A nystagmus testing system comprising:
 a telescopic pole, and   a nystagmus testing device supported on the pole, wherein the nystagmus testing device includes:
 a housing including a front display positioned to face a test subject and a rear display positioned to face a test administrator, 
 a camera mounted on the housing, 
 a start button configured to start a nystagmus routine, the nystagmus routine includes a plurality of tests, and 
 a controller configured to control the front and rear displays. 
   
     
     
         17 . The nystagmus testing system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of tests is directed to determining one of lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees, and vertical gaze nystagmus. 
     
     
         18 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The nystagmus testing system of  claim 16 , wherein the nystagmus testing device further includes a plurality of pressure sensors configured to determine a stability of the nystagmus testing device. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The nystagmus testing system of  claim 16 , wherein the front display is configured to display a visual stimulus, the rear display is configured to display a visual tracker, and the controller is configured to control movements of the visual stimulus and the visual tracker and generate data. 
     
     
         26 . The nystagmus testing system of  claim 25 , wherein the data includes eye movements of the test subject and positions of the visual stimulus during the corresponding test. 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)