Method for visual function assessment using multistable rivalry paradigms
AssigneeNortheastern University
InventorsJan Skerswetat, Peter John Bex
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Testing methods for evaluating visual and neurological functions of a human or animal subject that involve conscious perception. The tests include a training phase, a practice phase, and a visual rivalry phase for detecting binocular rivalry or multistate competition. The design of the testing methods offers simple, rapidly administered, nonverbal visual testing with high time resolution and access to changing conscious perceptual states of the test subject. The methods also make possible the collection of a large amount of data in a short time for analysis of the subjects visual function and brain function, and can be used in the diagnosis of many medical conditions.
Claims25
A method of testing a visual function comprising conscious visual perception, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a test system for presenting a series of images to a subject and receiving physical responses from the subject, the system comprising a stereoscopic or non-stereoscopic viewing device, an input device for continuous physical input in response to physical changes of a displayed image or a perceptual change of unaltered physical images by the subject, a data storage device operative to receive and store data from the input device, and an analysis device configured to analyze the stored data;
- (b) displaying to the subject a series of images using the viewing device, wherein the images present a pair of individual images simultaneously to each eye or a multi-stable non-stereoscopic image, in response to use of the input device by the subject, so as to train the subject to actively input perceptual states induced by the displayed images using the input device;
- (c) displaying to the subject using the viewing device a series of physically changing images, wherein the images present a simulated combination of a pair of individual images, while the subject actively uses the input device to report said perceptual states continuously, and while data from the input device are stored in the data storage device;
- (d) presenting to the subject dichoptically a series of binocular images using the stereoscopic viewing device while the subject actively uses the input device to report said perceptual states, and while data from the input device are stored in the data storage device;
- and
- (e) analyzing visual functions of the subject using data reported by the subject in (c) and (d) using the analysis device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.