Simultaneous binocular assessment of multiple optic nerve and cortical regions in diseases affecting nerve condition
US6315414A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/015
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention concerns the detection of neural damage to the optic nerve, optic radiations and white matter of the visual brain indicative of various neurological disorders but with particular application to multiple sclerosis. The method involves simultaneous measurement of the shape and latency of responses to visual stimuli presented simultaneously in different parts of the visual field of the two eyes, separating out linear and nonlinear response components, and most particularly separating out binocular interaction responses to assess neural function within each half of the visual cortex. Because rough retino-topicity is maintained in the optic nerve, through the optic radiations and the visual cerebral cortex, stimulation of the separate parts of the visual field permits isolation of responses from different component parts of these neural elements and therefore from the results obtained an objective assessment of damage to these separate neural components can be made simultaneously.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.