Pupilometer methods and apparatus

Apparatus for detecting the size of an individual's pupil comprising:

• an IR illumination source;
• first optical means for directing a first IR illumination beam from said IR source toward the individual's pupil;
• second optical means for directing a second IR illumination beam exiting from the individual's pupil;
• an optical beam splitter positioned and adapted to split said second beam into third and forth IR illumination beams;
• first photo-optical detector means positioned to receive said third beam and adapted to provide a first electrical output signal indicative of the optical power contained in said third beam;
• second photo-optical detection means positioned to receive said forth beam and adapted to provide a second electrical signal indicative of a subset of the optical power contained in said forth beam;
• and
• processing means receiving said first and second output signals and adapted to provide a third output signal indicative of the size of the individual's pupil.

Method for detecting response of an individual's pupil to a light stimulus, said method comprising the steps of:

• (A) illuminating the individual's pupil with a first light beam;
• (B) processing an associated light beam exiting the individual's pupil to obtain a first signal indicative of the relative pupillary response to the light stimulus;
• (C) further processing said associated light beam exiting the individual's pupil to obtain a second signal indicative of individual-specific parameters of the individual's eye;
• and
• (D) subsequently processing said first and second signals to obtain a third signal indicative of the actual pupillary response to the light stimulus.

A method for detecting the size of an individual's pupil comprising the steps of:

• (A) directing light into the pupil;
• (B) detecting and measuring a first associated portion of the light exiting the pupil to obtain a first signal indicative of the entire associated light exiting the pupil;
• (C) detecting and measuring a second associated portion of the light exiting the pupil to obtain a second signal indicative of a known subset of the associated light exiting the pupil;
• and
• (D) processing said first and second signals to obtain a third signal indicative of said size of the individual's pupil.

A method for detecting the size of an individual's pupil comprising the steps of:

• (A) directing light into the pupil;
• (B) processing an associated portion of the light exiting the pupil to obtain a first signal indicative of the relative size of the pupil;
• (C) further processing said associated light portion to obtain a second signal indicative of individual-specific eye characteristics relating the light entering the pupil and the associated light exiting the pupil;
• and
• (D) subsequently processing said first and second signals to obtain a third signal indicative of the actual size of the individual's pupil.

A method for detecting response of an individual's pupil to a light stimulus comprising the steps of:

• (A) directing light into the pupil;
• (B) processing a first associated light portion exiting the pupil to obtain a first signal indicative of one of:
• (i) the relative pupillary response to the light stimulus, and
• (ii) individual-specific eye characteristics relating the light entering the pupil and the associated light exiting the pupil;
• (C) providing a second signal indicative of the other of:
• (i) said relative pupillary response, and
• (ii) said individual-specific eye characteristics;
• and
• (D) operatively associating said first and second signals to generate a third signal indicative of the actual pupillary response to the light stimulus.

A method for calibrating a first signal indicative of the relative size of individual's pupil, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) directing light into the individual's pupil;
• (B) detecting an associated light portion exiting the individual's pupil;
• (C) processing said associated light portion with an individual-independent characteristic into a second signal indicative of an individual-specific eye-characteristic;
• and
• (D) operatively associating said first and second signals to generate an output signal indicative of the individual's actual pupil size.

A method for detecting relative response of an individual's pupil to a light stimulus, the method of comprising the steps of;

• (A) directing light into the individual's pupil;
• (B) detecting an associated light portion exiting the pupil;
• and
• (C) processing said detected associated light portion into an output signal indicative of the individual's relative pupillary response to the light stimulus.

A method for determining pupil size comprising the steps of;

• (A) directing a beam of light into the pupil;
• (B) detecting and measuring an associated portion of the light exiting the pupil;
• and
• (C) during said directing step, determining at least one of:
• (i) the size of the pupil, and
• (ii) the change in size of the pupil.