Patent US5898474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5898474A
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Visual field testing method and apparatus
Assignee: Massengill Family Trust
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Filing: 1997-05-28
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Granted: 1999-04-27
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Expires: 2017-05-28
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. Headgear 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 22:29
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: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A visual field testing apparatus, comprising: a frame, said frame being adapted to mount in a substantially motionless relationship to the head of a patient, while allowing the head to move; an electronic image display device mounted to said frame, said display device being constructed and positioned to display an electronic image encompassing the visual field of at least one eye of the patient wearing said frame; a gaze sensing device adapted to sense the orientation of at least one eye of the patient wearing said frame and to generate a gaze orientation signal; a response sensing device adapted to sense a patient's response to a visual stimulus and to generate a response signal; and a computer, said computer being connected to said display device to generate said electronic image, said computer being connected to said gaze sensing device to receive said gaze orientation signal, said computer being connected to said response sensing device to receive said response signal, and said computer being capable of measuring said gaze orientation signal and said response signal and calculating at least one characteristic of the visual field of the patient.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A visual field testing apparatus, comprising: a frame, said frame being adapted to mount in a substantially motionless relationship to the head of a patient, while allowing the head to move; an electronic image display device mounted to said frame, said display device being constructed and positioned to display an electronic image encompassing the visual field of at least one eye of the patient wearing said frame; a gaze sensing device adapted to sense the orientation of at least one eye of the patient wearing said frame and to generate a gaze orientation signal; a response sensing device adapted to sense a patient's response to a visual stimulus and to generate a response signal; and a computer, said computer being connected to said display device to generate said electronic image, said computer being connected to said gaze sensing device to receive said gaze orientation signal, said computer being connected to said response sensing device to receive said response signal, and said computer being capable of measuring said gaze orientation signal and said response signal and calculating at least one characteristic of the visual field of the patient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein: said electronic image display device is constructed and positioned to display an electronic image encompassing the visual field of both eyes of a patient wearing said frame; and said gaze sensing device is adapted to sense the orientations of both eyes of a patient wearing said frame and to generate a gaze orientation signal for each eye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer is programmable to vary at least one characteristic of said electronic image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is color.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is color intensity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is brightness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said characteristic is residence time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic image includes a background upon which another feature is displayed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said response sensing device comprises a switch manipulated by the patient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said response sensing device comprises a motion detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said response sensing device comprises a sound detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said response sensing device comprises a gaze sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer is programmable to analyze said signals to recognize faulty data resulting from inaccurate patient responses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer is programmable to shift said electronic image to maintain said image in a desired location relative to said gaze orientation of the patient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said visual field characteristic is the nature and extent of the peripheral field of vision of the patient.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said visual field characteristic is the nature and extent of the color vision of the patient.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said visual field characteristic is the nature and extent of the visual acuity of the patient.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said display device comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said display device comprises an electroluminescent display.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said display device comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A visual field testing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said display device comprises a gas discharge display.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring at least one characteristic of the visual field of a patient, comprising: mounting a virtual reality apparatus in a substantially motionless relationship to the head of a patient, while allowing the head to move, said virtual reality apparatus having an electronic image display device, a gaze sensing device, a response sensing device, and said virtual reality apparatus being connected to a computer; displaying an electronic image generated by said computer, said image encompassing the visual field of at least one eye of the patient; sensing the orientation of at least one eye of the patient and generating a gaze orientation signal; sensing the patient's response to said electronic image and generating a response signal; receiving said gaze orientation signal and said response signal with said computer and calculating at least one characteristic of the visual field of the patient.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for measuring at least one characteristic of the visual field of a patient, comprising: mounting a virtual reality apparatus in a substantially motionless relationship to the head of a patient, while allowing the head to move, said virtual reality apparatus having an electronic image display device, a gaze sensing device, a response sensing device, and said virtual reality apparatus being connected to a computer; displaying an electronic image generated by said computer, said image encompassing the visual field of at least one eye of the patient; sensing the orientation of at least one eye of the patient and generating a gaze orientation signal; sensing the patient's response to said electronic image and generating a response signal; receiving said gaze orientation signal and said response signal with said computer and calculating at least one characteristic of the visual field of the patient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising varying at least one characteristic of said electronic image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising analyzing said signals to recognize faulty data resulting from inaccurate patient responses.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising shifting said electronic image to maintain said image in a desired location relative to said gaze orientation of the patient.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5461435A
Cited
US5649061A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-26 | 2002-10-26 | 2003-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-26 | 2006-10-26 | 2007-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-26 | 2010-10-26 | 2011-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |