Patent ID: 12186090

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. As used herein, the term “event” is used to mean an occasion or experience that changes a subject's brain or neurological status from one condition to another. Such an “event” can be a blow to the head, possibly resulting in a concussion; a stroke or a mini-stroke: or other such experience that changes brain and/or other neurological functioning. Additionally, the term “proximal” is defined as a direction closer to the eyes of a subject being evaluated and “distal” is defined as a direction away from the eyes of the subject being evaluated.

The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.”

As used in this application, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.

Additionally, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value of the value or range.

The use of figure numbers and/or figure reference labels in the claims is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimed subject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims. Such use is not to be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of those claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures.

It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention.

Although the elements in the following method claims, if any, are recited in a particular sequence with corresponding labeling, unless the claim recitations otherwise imply a particular sequence for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular sequence.

The executive function in the brain is a process that enables multi-tasking, the ability to plan and focus attention on an issue, and make plans for action including what the eyes will focus on. The automatic response portion of the brain controls vision and convergence (which is coordination of the two eyes) that results in a seamless panoramic view seen by a person. A person is unaware of which eye produced which portion of what they are seeing. The convergence control system is one of the most complex functions performed by the brain. The brain's performance is based on the quality of physiological, neurological and chemical processing capabilities of the brain. Since this is such an essential function, evolution has built in many redundant sub-functions to guarantee performance of vision. Loss or reduced performance of any of these redundant sub-functions will degrade the overall performance of convergence and vision. This reduced performance, however, increases the processing load on remaining redundant sub-functions with an attempt to compensate for the loss and try to meet the real time demand that is placed on the convergence and vision.

To meet the real time performance requirements necessary to protect and keep the person alive and functioning successfully in society, the automatic response convergence and vision system attempts to execute all commands that it receives from the executive function. For example, a person's eyes will see whatever the person wants to see.

Any deficiencies that occur in the brain due to various factors (trauma, disease, or drugs) will affect the performance of this system; however, as long as this system is meeting the real time performance requirements, no change is noticed externally by physicians or others. The person will start noticing some decline in their ability to concentrate, or to carry out visual tasks. These deficiencies are only taken seriously after the visual control system no longer can meet the real time requirements, which may result in the person being unable to function properly. At that point, major not-easily reversible damage has occurred in neurological and physiological portions of the brain.

The present invention generates conditions that momentarily disengage the convergence “circuits” and examines each eye's control capabilities and responses independently. The present invention also is capable of disengaging the executive function momentarily during the various test conditions, thereby eliminating the chaotic movements of the eyes during test conditions, resulting in a much more clear detection of anomalies. Its methods are non-invasive to the person.

By way of example, the present invention can be used for detection and classification of the severity of an acute brain injury, such as a concussion, in a timely and accurate manner. The present invention can also provide diagnostic and follow up data to track the progress of a person's condition.

The present invention can also be used as an example, for early detection of the onset of chronic brain injuries such as Alzheimer's and other dementia. In the early stages of Alzheimer's a person may function independently. He or she may still drive, work and be a part of social abilities. Despite this, the person may feel that he or she is having impaired ability to concentrate, memory lapses such as forgetting familiar words, location of everyday objects or losing the ability to navigate. At this stage of the disease, the person is usually a self-advocate, and when seeking consultation complaining with non-specific neurological symptoms, a physician may not make a diagnosis, possibly due to lack of availability of objective testing, and might not prescribe neuro-supportive pharmaceuticals. The person at this early stage of the disease would greatly benefit from neuro-supportive pharmaceuticals and other therapies to maintain the quality of life and delay the onset of the very harsh late stage of the disease.

With the current methods of psychological evaluations as a standard for detection of Alzheimer's and other neuro-degenerative diseases, the person must reach a “point of no return” where they have chronic brain injury to the point that they cannot perform normal neurological functions effectively. This is “the point of no return”, since most likely non-reversible physical damage has been sustained by the brain.

With the use of this invention, the latency of ocular motor and convergence capabilities of the brain in a person are measured with higher accuracy and finer scale. This will allow detection of performance degradation much earlier and before significant permanent injury to the brain has occurred, thereby increasing the probability of accuracy and timeliness of a diagnosis, significantly earlier than current methods. With proper treatment and use of neuro-supportive pharmaceuticals and therapies, a person at this point has a far greater chance of having a higher quality of life and greatly delaying the onset of the late stage of the disease.

The present invention can also be used as an example, in conjunction with drug development for neurodegenerative diseases. The device allows a clinician or device control software to have a baseline and allows the clinician or device control software to measure minute changes that current methods of psychological evaluation cannot detect. Clinical trials incorporating the inventive device can aid drug development and other developments in the medical field that measure the changes in patients on a more defined scale.

The present invention can also be used as an example, for educational assistance, such as throughout the K-12 grade levels. During the early development stage of life, if convergence “circuits” are not operating at optimum levels and have latency, it creates various levels of sensory overload that can cause anxiety and inattentiveness that will cause a negative impact on a person's ability to learn. That anxiety may make a student appear unsuccessful because he/she does not do well on standardized tests. The present invention can be used to combine the testing of reading and math with the measuring of eye convergence anomalies. With the use of the therapy mode of the present invention, as the speed of convergence is increased and latency is reduced, the reading and math capability of students can be improved. A correlation can be seen between improved reading and convergence speed. Learning abilities may not be disabilities but are instead inefficiencies. In those cases, the child's condition can be improved and driven closer to an acceptable grade level.

The inventive device and method are used to remove the executive function of a subject's brain out of the process of determining whether the subject may be experiencing a brain or other neurological event, either permanent or temporary. This device enables physicians and others to measure the efficiencies of these systems and intervene at a much earlier point and stop or reduce further damage.

The present invention provides a headpiece that fits over the head of a subject so that the eyes of the subject may be evaluated. The headpiece includes a single sensor that follows the movement of both eyes. The headpiece also includes a light source that is presented to the eyes. Also within the headpiece is first pair of reflective surfaces, the first pair of reflective surfaces being fixed, and a second pair of reflective surfaces which are movable. The second pair of reflective surfaces may be moved by any mechanical, electrical, electromechanical mechanism or by optical manipulation.

In an exemplary embodiment, a pair of servos, also located within the headpiece, is the current electromechanical mechanism utilized to control the reflective surfaces. One servo is in communication with each mirror. In another embodiment, an actuator may be used to control the reflective surfaces. The mechanisms, whether mechanical, electrical or electromechanical, are in communication with a controller which directs their movements and their rate

The headpiece is in communication with a controller. The controller may be positioned within the headpiece, for example on a circuit board, but may be positioned elsewhere. For example, the controller may be a general purpose computer in communication with the headpiece that is programmed to control the headpiece with its own memory or a module that is part of a larger controller with a dedicated memory. The location of the controller and whether it is a dedicated device is not an important aspect of this invention, although the controller must be in communication with the headpiece as well as the mechanisms controlling the reflective surfaces or individual light sources when individual light sources are directed at the subject's eyes. When the controller is positioned within the headpiece, the controller stores information from evaluation within a controller memory. In an exemplary embodiment, this stored information is communicated to a remote device at some time to identify the subject and store the information from the evaluation in a permanent storage device for subsequent analysis.

The information can be communicated from the controller to the permanent storage device either wirelessly, a direct wired connection or a combination thereof. The evaluation is initiated by the controller when located within the headpiece initiates the test, for example, by an external stimulus, for example, on command by a remote electronic signal or by the push of a button located on the headpiece. The controller may include a program that activates the light beam, which is stationary, and is in communication with the servos in the preferred embodiment. The controller program controls movement of the servos in accordance with a preselected sequence of motions. The controller is also in communication with the single sensor, the single sensor providing a signal indicative of the movement of the eyes with the preselected sequence of motions which also is stored in the controller memory. The controller may also process the information either before or after storage in the memory in order to evaluate the response of the subject to an apparent movement of the light beam produced by the light source. When two light beams are used instead of movable reflective surfaces, the controller controls the movement of the light beams.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller is positioned remotely from the headpiece. The controller and the headpiece may be in communication wirelessly, via direct wired connection or a combination thereof. The evaluation is initiated by the controller, activating the light source, which is stationary, producing the light beam. The controller is also in communication with the servos. A controller program controls movement of the reflective surfaces by controlling movement of the light beams, in the exemplary embodiment, by controlling movement of the servos in accordance with a preselected sequence of motions. The movement of the reflective surfaces provides an apparent motion of the light source. There may be more than one controller program, each program providing a different preselected sequence of motions, the operator selecting the desired program. The controller is also in communication with the single sensor, the single sensor providing a signal indicative of the movement of the eyes in response to the apparent motion of the light source, which is stored in the controller memory. The controller may also process the information either before or after storage in the memory in order to evaluate the response of the subject to an apparent movement of the light beam from the light source.

Regardless of the physical location of the controller, the headpiece of the present invention provides an apparent movement of an object, here the light beam produced by the light source by movement of the reflective surfaces within a small, comfortable, compact, lightweight device that is readily attached to the head of a subject. The head piece is adjustable to accommodate subjects having varying head sizes. Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention generates a light source producing a light beam, the target object may be any image. It will be understood, however, that the image must be illuminated so that the image can be seen by the eyes.

Further, it will be understood that, in the present invention, movement of the light beam results in apparent movement of the light source, which is tracked by the subject. In the exemplary embodiment, apparent movement is accomplished as the light beam is reflected from the reflective surfaces as they are moved by their positioning devices in response to instructions from the controller, so that movement of the light beam and movement of the light source may be used interchangeably. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source is an LED light, such as a variable wavelength between about 400 and about 700 nm, a variable lumen between about 110 and about 650 lumens, and variable wattage between about 75 and about 120 milliwatts. This type of LED allows for evaluation using a variable intensity and variable colors which is useful for individuals suffering from reduced color sensitivity.

Once a test is initiated, in the exemplary embodiment, a light beam from the light source is directed toward the first pair of reflective surfaces. While the beam may be split, the first pair of reflective surfaces is arranged to receive the beam from the light source when the beam is not split and reflect the light in different directions. The light beam is reflected from the first pair of reflective surfaces toward the second pair of reflective surfaces. The light from the second pair of reflective surfaces is reflected toward the eyes. The sensor is positioned to observe the eyes. The servos, in accordance with preprogrammed instructions from the controller, then move the second pair of reflective surfaces resulting in a change of the reflection pattern perceived by the eye. This change in the reflection pattern results in an apparent movement of the light source toward or away from the subject's eyes, even though the actual distance of the light source from the subject's eyes is constant.

The sensor detects any eye movement in response to the change in the reflection pattern and the apparent movement of the light source. The sensor sends a signal indicative of the eye movement which is recorded in the controller memory. In accordance with the programmed instructions, the servos continuously move the second pair of reflective surfaces, causing a continuous change in the reflection of the light beam, resulting in an apparent continuous movement of the light source at a predetermined rate. The sensor continuously monitors the position of the eyes in response to reflection of the light beam, the results being continuously received by the controller and stored in controller memory.

The test may be terminated either after a predetermined time for the test or when the sensor detects predetermined eye movement has occurred, the predetermined eye movement indicative of results. Thus, the test may be terminated when either convergence or divergence is detected. Convergence and divergence may describe the same results but depend on where the test is initiated. Divergence occurs when an object at a distance moves toward the subject and is a distance at which the object no longer appears as a single object to the eyes but rather as two objects, one to each eye. Convergence occurs when an object close to the subject initially appears as two objects, so as the object moves away from the subject, it is the distance at which the eye detects the object as a single object.

Referring now toFIGS.1-4, an exemplary embodiment of a headpiece100used to perform the above-described tests, as well as other tests that will be described herein, is shown. InFIG.1, a headpiece100is shown having an adjustable headband102, which is partially shown. The headband102extends around the head of a subject. While a headband102is shown, those skilled in the art will recognize that headband102can be omitted, and headpiece100can be mounted on a stand (not shown) and a subject can lean in to headpiece100for evaluation.

Headpiece100includes a compartment103into which a subject (not shown) looks. Compartment103is defined by a proximal wall104, a distal wall105, sidewalls106,107that extend between proximal wall104and distal wall105, as well as a floor109and a ceiling111. A central axis112extends between proximal wall104and distal wall105. Compartment103is a closed box that is configured to block any extraneous light from entering compartment103that might distract the subject from internally supplied lighting.

Electronics and power to operate headpiece100can be located above ceiling111so that such equipment is out of view of the subject. A circuit board108is mounted in an equipment housing113located above ceiling111and is covered by a removable circuit board cover115. Batteries (not shown) and/or an electrical power connection can be located in equipment housing113as well.

Proximal wall104includes a pair of spaced apart eyeslits140for the subject's eyes to peer through into compartment103and a nose bridge142located between eyeslits140(along central axis112) to rest on the subject's nose, as well as to align headpiece100with the subject's eyes.

A reflecting reflector150is mounted on the interior of proximal wall104between eyeslits140and along central axis112. Reflecting reflector150includes two reflecting surfaces152that extend at an angle relative to central axis112to redirect light from light source120at an oblique angle relative to central axis112.

A light source120, such as an LED, is located at a distal end of headpiece100, proximate to distal wall105and along central axis112, is directed toward proximal wall104and is used as a target for the subject to focus on while the subject is being evaluated. Light source120can be a variable wavelength light source so that different wavelengths of light can be emitted from light source120, depending on the type of evaluation to be performed using headpiece100.

Light source120is mounted so that the subject can see light source120with both eyes when peering through eyeslits140. In an exemplary embodiment, light source120is centered along distal wall105and is equidistant from each eyeslit140.

A sensor134, such as a CCD camera134, is also located at distal wall105and is directed to be able to capture and record the subject's eyes through eyeslits140. Camera134is electronically connected to circuit board108, which controls camera134and receives data and video information recorded by camera134. Alternatively, camera134can be operated via a separate controller (not shown). The use of a single camera134allows a clinician or device control software to monitor and measure both of a subject's eyes simultaneously with a single scan, which allows for proper alignment between the eyes and to measure alignment and measurement of the movement direction of both eyes, with direct correlation between both eyes.

A pair of pivoting panels128is mounted generally in the middle of compartment103, on opposing sides of central axis112of compartment103. Each panel128is located so that, when panel128is rotated to a first position, panel128blocks light from light source120from being viewed by a subject's eye on that side of the central axis and, when panel128is rotated to a second position, panel128is rotated out of the line of sight from eyeslit140to light source120so that the eye looking through eyeslit140can view light source120.

In an exemplary embodiment, panels128can be pivoted through an arc of about 90 degrees, although those skilled in the art will recognize that panels128can pivot through a different range. Panels128are pivotable such that light from light source120can reflect from reflecting surfaces152of reflector150and onto panels128when panels128are in the first position as well as when panels128are rotated through an arc less than the full arc of rotation.

Panels128are each independently moved by a respective servo motor130located in equipment housing113and electronically connected to circuit board108. An output of servos130extends through equipment housing113and into compartment103for connection to panels128. Each servo130is independently operable depending on the desired use of panels128.

In a first embodiment, panels128are reflective surfaces that are used for when convergence is not achieved and different distances have to be mimicked to determine convergence. In a second embodiment, panels128are opaque surfaces that are used to optically occlude light source120and determine that the convergence ability of the brain is not operating efficiently, as will be discussed later herein. Panels128are removable and can be interchangeable as reflective surfaces or opaque surfaces.

Optionally, in order to provide sufficient light internal to headgear100, referred herein as “ambient light”, for camera134to be able to record the subject's eyes, a light is provided. The light is out of the direct line of sight of the subject's eyes, regardless of the direction in which the subject's eyes move. In order to reduce any distraction to the subject resulting from ambient light, a light diffuser250can be used to diffuse the light within headgear100and can be located below each eyeslit140, with a light251being provided for each light diffuser250. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will recognize that diffusers250can be located above or beside each eyeslit140.

An exemplary light diffuser250is shown inFIGS.5-9. Light diffuser250diffuses a light251that is mounted above light diffuser250. Light251is used to illuminate the test subject's eyes so that camera134can record the test subject's eyes.

Diffuser250includes an opaque or translucent body252having a generally planar input surface254on one side of body252. Input surface254has a light input end256with a generally circular light input opening258formed therein to accept light251without light from light215escaping diffuser250and into compartment103above light diffuser250. Lights251can be powered and controlled by circuit board108.

Body252also has a generally planar output surface260that extends on a second side of body252generally orthogonally to input surface254. Output surface260has a flared light output end262with a light output opening264formed therein. Light output opening264is larger than light input opening258and can be generally quadrilateral in shape, more specifically, a rhombus.

A light passage270extends through body252between light input end256and light output end262and is in communication with light input opening258and light output opening264. Light passage270extends along a non-axial path so that any light source, such as light251, at light input end256cannot be directly viewed from light output end262. In an exemplary embodiment, light passage270defines a tortuous path with a plurality of non-co-axial adjacent path portions, as shown inFIG.8. Those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that light path270can have other profiles, just as long as any light source at light input end256cannot be directly viewed from light output end262.

To optimize the effect of light diffuser250, light passage270has a first area272at light input end256and a second area274, larger than the first area272, at light output end262such that light passage270expands from a generally circular opening at light input opening258to a generally quadrilateral opening at the light output opening264.

Light diffuser250also includes a mounting surface276extending obliquely between input surface254and output surface260. Mounting surface276is generally planar to allow light diffuser250to be fixedly mounted to headpiece100above eyeslit140so that light output opening264directs light through light diffuser250vertically downwardly to provide light for a subject looking through eyeslit140, without the subject being able to actually view the light source, which can distract the subject during evaluations. A light diffuser250is provided for each eyeslit140. As shown inFIG.9, a light beam emanating from diffuser250extends in a broad area, much larger than the diameter of light251that generates the light beam.

Headpiece100can be used to evaluate different neurological factors based on convergence or non-convergence of the subject's eyes, as well as the amount and rate of pupil dilation of the subject's eyes. Convergence or non-convergence can be an indication of an acute brain injury, such as a concussion. Additionally, the use of headpiece100over an extended period of time (i.e., once per year for a period of years) can provide an indication of a chronic brain disorder, such as the onset of Alzheimer's disease, or other dementia.

With a concussion, the ability to converge at same rate is reduced and the ability to move from one target to another takes longer time. This reduction can be evidenced in football players, hockey players, or players in other contact sports who have suffered at least one, and possibly multiple, concussions throughout their careers. It would be beneficial to perform baseline testing on such athletes prior to their playing careers to establish the baseline and to determine any changes over time or after concussions or suspected concussions. Using device100in an occlusion mode can determine the severity of a concussion.

Device100can also be used to evaluate whether a subject has undergone any type of physiological damage, resulting in diverging eyes; neurological damage, resulting in slower response rate; or chemical damage, also resulting in slower response rate. Further, device100can be used to evaluate the potential for chronic neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's dementia, which can result in a slowly reduced rate of convergence.

Headpiece100can be used to evaluate different neurological conditions. Referring now to flowchart300shown inFIGS.10-11, in step302, a subject is positioned for evaluation, which can include placing headpiece100over the subject's head and adjusting headband102so that headpiece is snugly retained on the subject's head. Camera134is locked onto both eyes. The distance from the eyes to camera134is fixed. For this test, panels128include a reflective surface on a proximal side of each panel128.

In step304, a single target in the form of a light is directed to both eyes of the subject. In an exemplary embodiment, the single target can be light source120. Light source120can be used as a target for the subject to view with both eyes. A separate light source251is used to illuminate both eyes so that camera134can record the motion of the eyes during the procedure. Light sources251can be independently operated so that one light251can be turned on while the remaining light251can be turned off, depending on the evaluation being performed.

In step306, panels128are rotated to prevent a direct line of sight between light source120and the subject's eyes. The light from light source120reflects from reflecting surfaces152and onto panels128. In step308, the clinician or device control software confirms whether or not the light is within the pupil perimeter of each eye. By way of example only,FIG.12shows different examples of the light within or outside of the pupil perimeter. If convergence is not confirmed, in step310, panel128corresponding to the misaligned eye is rotated, resulting in the apparent movement of the light, until convergence is achieved. In step312, the amount of apparent movement of the target is recorded and is used as a bias for subsequent evaluation.

Convergence is shown inFIG.13. If convergence was not achieved, the eye that shows the reflection of target light120within the perimeter of the pupil is called the “master” eye, and the eye that does not shows the reflection of target light120within the perimeter of the pupil is called the “slave” eye. In step313, panel128associated with the slave eye is rotated until convergence is achieved (the target light120is reflected within the perimeter of the pupil of both eyes) and the amount of rotation that was required to achieve convergence is recorded, along with the apparent distance of target light120from the slave eye.

In step314, panels128are slowly rotated to move the image from an apparent distance of about 5 inches from the subject's eyes to infinity, as shown inFIG.14, with camera134tracking the movement of each eye with the apparent movement of light120. In step316, panels128are rotated back, moving the image from an apparent distance of infinity back to about 5 inches from the subject's eyes. During steps314and316, camera134records the movement of the subject's eyes and determines if convergence was achieved throughout the test. There is no other input required from the subject.

If convergence was achieved, in step318, steps314and316are repeated, with the speed of the movement of panels124being increased to confirm convergence and to record the reaction time of both eyes. In step320, the speed of movement of panels128is increased until convergence is lost at a recorded rate of speed and a perceived target distance. Throughout steps314-320, the speed and the distance are recorded to determine the reaction time of the subject. Steps304-320can be repeated and an average can be calculated for the recorded values for that subject during a single evaluation period (i.e., an evaluation date).

The movement of panels128allows for headpiece100to rapidly present a target at one position and rapidly present the target in a different position (distance) while measuring the rate of re-convergence between the subject's eyes.

An exemplary method of determining the neurological condition in a subject will now be described with reference to flowchart350inFIGS.15and16. The determination can be determining the convergence ability of the subject's brain.

In step352, a subject is positioned for evaluation, which can include placing headpiece100over the subject's head and adjusting headband102so that headpiece is snugly retained on the subject's head. Camera134is locked onto both eyes. The distance from the eyes to camera134is fixed. Light source120is unobservable to subject to illuminate the subject's eyes. For this test, panels128include a reflective surface on a proximal side of each panel128. In step354, a single visual target is provided to the subject. In step356, the single visual target is made to appear to represent two independent targets, with the independent targets being movable independently.

In step358, a changing of the distance of at least one of the independent targets from one of the subject's eyes is simulated and, in step360, a change of an angle of one of the independent targets relative to one of the subject's eyes is simulated so that the target appears to the far left of the subject's left eye, as shown inFIG.17. In step362, one of the independent targets is moved along a surface so that it appears that the target moves to the location shown inFIG.18. Typically, the target that is moved is the target associated with the non-converging eye. The movement comprises visually moving the one of the independent targets in a smooth continuous form.

In step364, a reflection of the target is viewed within the pupil of each of the subject's eyes to determine that the eyes converge and, in step366, a pupil distance at which the subject sees both of the independent targets is determined. In step368, if no convergence is determined, one of the two independent targets is fixed and the other of the two independent targets is visually moved until a reflection the target is observed in the pupils of both eyes.

In step370, the number of degrees of angle of visual movement of the other of the two independent targets to achieve reflection the target in order for the target to be observed in the pupils of both eyes is determined and in step372, it is determined whether dynamic convergence is achieved.

In step374, the other of the two independent targets is visually moved away from the subject and it is determined if both of the subject's eyes follow the visual movement. In step376, the speed of movement of the other of the two independent targets is changed to determine how quickly the subject's eyes re-converge. In step378, steps352-376can be repeated over a period of time to determine any changes in brain health.

An exemplary method of determining the neurological condition in a subject will now be described with reference to flowchart400inFIGS.19-21. In step402, a subject is positioned for evaluation, which can include placing headpiece100over the subject's head and adjusting headband102so that headpiece is snugly retained on the subject's head.

In step404, a single light is directed to both eyes of the subject. In an exemplary embodiment, the single light can be light source120. Light source120can be used as a target for the subject to view with both eyes. A separate light source251is used to illuminate both eyes so that camera134can record the motion of the eyes during the procedure.

In step406, the clinician or device control software confirms whether or not both eyes converge on target120and notes the convergence or non-convergence of the eyes. In step407, the clinician or device control software identifies a perimeter of each of both eyes, and confirms that the single light is within the perimeter of each of both eyes.

In the case of convergence, in step408, a first eye is occluded and, in step410, camera134records and clinician or device control software subsequently determines whether the occluded first eye deviates from the convergence position.FIG.22shows deviation of the left eye as a result of occlusion of that eye.

In step412, if the occluded first eye deviates from the convergence position, the clinician or device control software determines an amount of deviation of the occluded first eye; and in step414, the clinician or device control software determines a rate of speed of deviation of the occluded first eye. Next, in step414, the clinician or device control software un-occludes the occluded first eye and, in step415, the clinician or device control software determines a rate of speed of re-convergence of the now un-occluded first eye.

In step418, the clinician or device control software repeats steps404-416and, in step420, the clinician or device control software compares the results between the two procedures. In step421, the clinician or device control software records a maximum amount of deviation of the first eye.

The clinician or device control software repeats the process for the second eye, namely, in step422, the clinician or device control software occludes the second eye, and, in step424, determines whether the occluded second eye deviates from the convergence position. In step426, if the occluded second eye deviates from the convergence position, then, in step428, the clinician or device control software determines an amount of deviation of the occluded second eye and in step430, determines a rate of speed of deviation of the occluded second eye.

Next, in step432, the clinician or device control software un-occludes the occluded second eye and, in step434, determines a rate of speed of re-convergence of the now un-occluded second eye. In step436, the clinician or device control software repeats steps422-434and compares the results between the two procedures. In step438, the clinician or device control software records a maximum amount of deviation of the second eye and, in step440, notes any asymmetry between the results.

If the single light is not within the perimeter of both eyes, the clinician or device control software determines that both eyes did not converge on the target. If, in step406, the eyes do not converge, then, in step442, the clinician or device control software records the non-convergence.

Additionally, referring to flowchart500shown inFIG.23, headpiece100can be used to measure the amount and rate of pupil dilation to determine potential brain performance deficiency.

In step502, a subject is positioned for evaluation, which can include placing headpiece100over the subject's head and adjusting headband102so that headpiece is snugly retained on the subject's head.

In step504, a single light is directed to both eyes of the subject as shown inFIG.24. In an exemplary embodiment, the single light can be light source120. Light source120can be used as a target for the subject to view with both eyes. The target is occluded to one eye, blocking the eye from seeing the target. Light251at the occluded eye is cycled on and off, illuminating the occluded eye. Camera134then records the dilation or contraction size and rate of the occluded eye.

In step506, panels128can be rotated so that at least one panel128occludes its respective eye. Light251at the occluded eye is cycled on and off, illuminating/de-luminating the occluded eye. In step508, camera134records the eye, and specifically, the pupil, so that pupil size can be measured. In step510, panel128is rotated in the direction of arrow “A”, shown inFIG.25, to provide a direct line of sight between the subject's eye and light source120. Light251at the un-occluded eye is cycled on, illuminating the un-occluded eye, which should cause the pupil to contract. In step512, camera134can record the amount of contraction (such as in millimeters) as well as the rate of contraction.

The amount and rate of dilation of the pupil can also be measured. In step514, panel128is rotated back to its initial position to occlude the subject's eye from light source120, causing the pupil to dilate. In step516, camera134can record the amount of dilation (such as in millimeters) as well as the rate of dilation.FIG.26shows maximum and minimum pupil sizes that can be measured during steps508-516.

Headpiece100is configured so that the above described procedure is performed without asking the subject if both eyes converged on the target, enabling the methods described above to be performed without causing unwanted movement of both eyes.

It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.