Patent US5864384A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5864384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Visual field testing method and apparatus using virtual reality
Assignee: Massengill Family Trust
•
Filing: 1996-07-31
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Granted: 1999-01-26
•
Expires: 2016-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for using Virtual Reality for testing and quantifying visual information from the eye, the visual pathways, and the brain. Head-gear configuration allows the patient to observe a field of view into which sequenced test stimuli are presented by an excitation device commanded by a computer. Interactive sensory feedback both to and from the patient enables computer-driven presentation and modulation of test stimuli to measure with precision such parameters as visual field performance, visual acuity, and color vision. Using the system allows the patient unprecedented freedom of movement of the head and body, thus minimizing or even eliminating the stress and fatigue common with conventional non-Virtual Reality visual field testing systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. McClure
- 👤 R. Kemp Massengill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; G06F3/013; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/02; A61B3/024; A61B3/06; A61B3/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 96
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus using Virtual Reality for supplying, testing, measuring, and quantifying visual information to and from the visual pathways of the eye of a patient and the retina, the optic nerve, the optic chiasm, the visual pathways to the brain, and the brain, said apparatus comprising: a head-gear configuration placed on the head of the patient; an excitation device for applying test stimuli into said head-gear configuration; a feedback device for allowing the patient to respond to test stimuli; a sensing device for sensing feedback from the patient; a computer device for directing information to the excitation device and for receiving, interpreting, sequencing, and sending information to and from the patient; an electronic imaging system to display the sequenced presentation of said test stimali computer software and the result of interactive patient responses; a hard-copy printing device to supply a permanent record.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus using Virtual Reality for supplying, testing, measuring, and quantifying visual information to and from the visual pathways of the eye of a patient and the retina, the optic nerve, the optic chiasm, the visual pathways to the brain, and the brain, said apparatus comprising: a head-gear configuration placed on the head of the patient; an excitation device for applying test stimuli into said head-gear configuration; a feedback device for allowing the patient to respond to test stimuli; a sensing device for sensing feedback from the patient; a computer device for directing information to the excitation device and for receiving, interpreting, sequencing, and sending information to and from the patient; an electronic imaging system to display the sequenced presentation of said test stimali computer software and the result of interactive patient responses; a hard-copy printing device to supply a permanent record.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said head-gear configuration consists of a face mask allowing the patient to observe a field of view into which test stimuli are presented to one eye at a time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said head-gear configuration consists of a face mask allowing the patient to observe a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to both eyes simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said head-gear configuration consists of goggles with independent eyepieces allowing the patient to observe a field of view into which test stimuli are presented to one eye at a time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said head-gear configuration consists of goggles with independent eyepieces allowing the patient to observe a field of view into which test stimuli are presented to both eyes simultaneously.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in placement within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in size within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in intensity of luminosity within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in duration of time within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in color within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in color intensity within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli in the form of letters for measuring visual acuity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli in the form of symbols for measuring visual acuity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli in the form of figures for measuring visual acuity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said excitation device provides an interest-fixation icon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient is uniform and featureless.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery consisting of patterns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which moves.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient varies in contrast.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which varies in intensity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which varies in color.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which varies in duration.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said feedback device consists of a button which the patient presses when stimuli are visually perceived.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said feedback device consists of a switch which the patient presses when stimuli are visually perceived.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said feedback device consists of a microphone into which the patient speaks when stimuli are visually perceived.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device recognizes direction of gaze sensation of the patient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device recognizes eyelid movement and blinking of the patient.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device recognizes direction of gaze of the patient.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device recognizes eyelid movement and blinking of the patient.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device recognizes fatigue and inattention of the patient.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device recognizes poor cooperation of the patient.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device is single-element.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said sensing device is multi-element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device utilizes predetermined software programs for providing commands to the excitation device for sequenced presentation of test stimuli to the patient.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device provides commands to the excitation device to provide a uniform featureless field.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device provides commands to the excitation device to provide background imagery.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device correlates and interprets information received from the feedback device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device provides reiterated commands to the excitation device of appropriately-modulated test stimuli for repeat presentation to the patient.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer comprises: software to track the location of the test stimuli frame of reference in relation to a fixation of the patient; software to shift spatially said frame of reference so as to maintain accurate mapping of the test stimuli data on a field of view presented to the retina.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device provides software to measure and quantify the peripheral field of vision of the patient.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device provides software to measure and quantify color vision of the patient.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device provides software to measure and quantify the visual acuity of the patient.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer device provides ongoing directions to the patient through either audio or visual commands.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic imaging system is a cathode-ray tube display panel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic imaging system is an electroluminescent display panel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic imaging system is a liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic imaging system is a gas-discharge display panel.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
147 words
A method using Virtual Reality for supplying, testing, measuring, and quantifying visual information to and from the visual pathways of the eye of a patient and the retina, the optic nerve, the optic chiasm, the visual pathways to the brain, and the brain, said method comprising: providing a head-gear configuration placed on the head of the patient; providing an excitation device for applying test stimuli into said head-gear configuration; providing a feedback device for allowing the patient to respond to test stimuli; providing a sensing device for sensing feedback from the patient; providing a computer device for directing information to the excitation device and for receiving, interpreting, sequencing, and sending information to and from the patient; providing an electronic imaging system to display the sequenced presentation of said test stimuli and the result of interactive patient responses; providing a hard-copy printing device to supply a permanent record.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
147 words
A method using Virtual Reality for supplying, testing, measuring, and quantifying visual information to and from the visual pathways of the eye of a patient and the retina, the optic nerve, the optic chiasm, the visual pathways to the brain, and the brain, said method comprising: providing a head-gear configuration placed on the head of the patient; providing an excitation device for applying test stimuli into said head-gear configuration; providing a feedback device for allowing the patient to respond to test stimuli; providing a sensing device for sensing feedback from the patient; providing a computer device for directing information to the excitation device and for receiving, interpreting, sequencing, and sending information to and from the patient; providing an electronic imaging system to display the sequenced presentation of said test stimuli and the result of interactive patient responses; providing a hard-copy printing device to supply a permanent record.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said head-gear configuration provides a face mask allowing the patient to observe a field of view into which test stimuli are presented to one eye at a time.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said head-gear configuration provides of a face mask allowing the patient to observe a field of view into which test stimuli are presented to both eyes simultaneously.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said head-gear configuration provides goggles with independent eyepieces allowing the patient to observe a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to one eye at a time.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said head-gear configuration provides goggles with independent eyepieces allowing the patient to observe a field of view into which test stimuli are presented to both eyes simultaneously.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in placement within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in size within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in intensity of luminosity within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in duration of time within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in color within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli which may be modified in color intensity within a field of view supplied to the patient.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli in the form of letters for measuring visual acuity.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli in the form of symbols for measuring visual acuity.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides test stimuli in the form of figures for measuring visual acuity.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said excitation device provides an interest-fixation icon.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the background for a the field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient is uniform and featureless.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery consisting of patterns.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which moves.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient varies in contrast.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which varies in intensity.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which varies in color.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the background for a field of view in which test stimuli are presented to the patient provides imagery which varies in duration.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein the feedback device consists of a button which the patient presses when stimuli are visually perceived.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said feedback device consists of a switch which the patient presses when stimuli are visually perceived.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said feedback device consists of a microphone into which the patient speaks when stimuli are visually perceived.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device recognizes direction of gaze sensation of the patient.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device recognizes eyelid movement and blinking of the patient.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device recognizes direction of gaze of the patient.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device recognizes eyelid movement and blinking of the patient.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device recognizes fatigue and inattention of the patient.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device recognizes poor cooperation of the patient.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device is single-element.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said sensing device is multi-element.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device utilizes predetermined software programs for providing commands to the excitation device for sequenced presentation of test stimuli to the patient.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device provides commands to the excitation device to provide a uniform featureless field.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device provides commands to the excitation device to provide background imagery which can be varied.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device correlates and interprets information received from the feedback device.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device provides reiterated commands to the excitation device of appropriately-modulated test stimuli for repeat presentation to the patient.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer comprises: software to track the location of the test stimuli frame of reference in relation to a fixation of the patient; software to shift spatially said frame of reference so as to maintain accurate mapping of the test stimuli on a field of view presented to the retina.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device provides software to measure and quantify the peripheral field of vision of the patient.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device provides software to measure and quantify color vision of the patient.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device provides software to measure and quantify the visual acuity of the patient.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said computer device provides ongoing directions to the patient through either audio or visual commands.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said electronic imaging system is a cathode-ray tube display panel.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said electronic imaging system is an electroluminescent display panel.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said electronic imaging system is a liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 48, wherein said electronic imaging system is a gas-discharge display panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-25 | 2002-07-27 | 2003-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | 2007-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-25 | 2010-07-27 | 2011-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |