IP Library Granted Patent US 8,500,282
Granted Patent B2
US 8,500,282 · App. 13/240,457 · Granted Aug 6, 2013

Method and apparatus for monitoring eye tremor

Inventors: Ciaran Bolger (Co. Dublin, IE); Steven W. Arms (Williston, VT); Christopher P. Townsend (Shelburne, VT); Kurt R. Smith (Boulder, CO)
Assignee: Boston Brainstem, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,500,282
App. No.
13/240,457
Granted
Aug 6, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus consistent with the present invention comprises a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor and a processor for monitoring eye tremor while receiving the signal. A method consistent with the present invention includes receiving a signal representing eye tremor, comparing the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value, and classifying a patient's brain stem function using the comparison of the received signal representing eye tremor to at least one reference value. An embodiment consistent with the present invention includes an ocular micro tremor (OMT) sensor and associated signal processing hardware and software for clinical analyses.

Claims (43)

1. An eye tremor monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor;

a filter for filtering microsaccades from the signal; and

a processor for monitoring eye tremor based on the filtered signal.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is capable of receiving the signal representing eye tremor through a closed eye lid.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a piezoelectric element.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a filter for selecting an eye tremor signal window.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a self adjusting filter.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a wireless transmitter for transmitting the signal representing eye tremor.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a controller for generating a signal controlling medication dosage.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a controller for generating a control signal for a patient monitoring device.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a peak counter.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a control signal to a patient monitoring device.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a display responsive to said signal.

12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting said signal to an information system.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a wireless transmitter for transmitting a control signal to a patient monitoring device.

14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a self-test controller.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a filter to reduce signal interference from a power supply.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a filter to reduce the effect of a seismic event.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises:

a seismic event detector, and

a seismic event filter controllable by the seismic event detector for reducing an effect of a seismic event.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises a seismic event filter to reduce an effect of a seismic event caused by a surgical instrument.

19. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a forehead-mounted sensor for reducing an effect of a seismic event.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor comprises an amplitude gauge.

21. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a wireless transmitter for transmitting said signal to an information system.

22. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a sensor supporting mount that supports the sensor, wherein the mount includes a second sensor.

23. An eye tremor monitoring system, comprising:

a sensor for receiving a signal representing eye tremor;

a self-adjusting filter for filtering microsaccades from the signal;

a hinged sensor mount; and

a processor for monitoring eye tremor based on the filtered signal.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 2, 2015
From: BOSTON BRAINSTEM, INC.
To: BRAINSTEM BIOMETRICS
Reel/Frame 036054/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2013
From: BOLGER, CIARAN; ARMS, STEVEN W.; TOWNSEND, CHRISTOPHER P.; SMITH, KURT R.
To: EYETECT, L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 030719/0097 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 1, 2013
From: EYETECT, LLC
To: BOSTON BRAINSTEM, INC.
Reel/Frame 030720/0350 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 12588003 · Sep 30, 2009
Continuation 11265115 · Nov 3, 2005
Division 09988629 · Nov 20, 2001
Provisional Application 60252429 · Nov 22, 2000
Related Publication 20120010536A1 · Jan 12, 2012