Apparatus, methods and systems for non-invasive ocular assessment of neurological function

Abstract

A portable, non-invasive binocular scanning apparatus for rapid assessment of neurological function in cases of potential trauma, disease, and/or exposure to chemical treat agents. The scanning apparatus may utilize a combination of light sources for the measurement and assessment of pupillary response, retinal imagery, and/or other ophthalmologic biomarkers. The scanning apparatus can detect and assess a wide range of neurological and physiological conditions by obtaining pertinent measurements from the retina and pupil in real time.

1 . A binocular pupillary response scanning apparatus comprising:
 one or more visible light sources operable to illuminate a first eye and a second eye simultaneously or separately;   one or more infrared light sources for continuously illuminating the first eye and the second eye;   one or more imaging devices for detecting reflected infrared light from the first eye and the second eye;   a converter for converting the reflected infrared light into electrical image signals; and   a signal transmitter for transmitting the electrical image signals.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more processors for processing the electrical image signals. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more memories for storing the electrical image signals. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more interfaces for transmitting the electric image signals to one or more processors for analysis. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a display. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a light-blocking enclosure with an open end for receiving the first eye and the second eye. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a light-blocking divider positioned within the light-blocking enclosure for isolating the first eye from the second eye. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more imaging devices are charge-coupled device cameras. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more visible light sources emit visible light of variable intensities. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more infrared light sources emit light between approximately 700 to approximately 1,000 nm. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more infrared light sources emit light between approximately 780 to approximately 860 nm. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a retinal scanning apparatus comprising one or more light sources corresponding to the first eye; one or more light sources corresponding to a second eye; one or more imaging devices for capturing a retinal image of the first eye during illumination of the first eye with the one or more light sources; and one or more imaging devices for simultaneously capturing a retinal image of the second eye during illumination of the second eye with the one or more light sources. 
     
     
         13 . A method for binocular diagnosis comprising:
 providing a binocular scanning apparatus comprising:
 one or more visible light sources; 
 one or more infrared light sources; and 
 one or more imaging devices; 
   illuminating a first eye and a second eye with infrared light from the one or more infrared light sources;   capturing at least one image with the one or more imaging devices;   illuminating the first eye with visible light from the one or more visible light sources for a predetermined duration;   ceasing illuminating the first eye with visible light for a predetermined duration;   capturing at least one image with the one or more imaging devices;   illuminating the second eye with visible light from the one or more visible light sources for a predetermined duration;   ceasing illuminating the second eye with visible light; and   capturing at least one image with the one or more imaging devices.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising comparing pupillary response of the first eye to pupillary response of the second eye in the captured images. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising formulating a diagnosis based on the comparing step. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising repeating the illuminating and capturing steps for a predetermined number of cycles. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising varying the intensity of the visible light between cycles. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising establishing a dark field condition around the first eye and the second eye during the illuminating and capturing steps. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising processing the captured images to determine pupillary response measurements. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the pupillary response measurements are selected from the group consisting of pupil reaction/redilation latency, pupil reaction duration, pupil reaction rate, maximal pupil area change, percentage of maximal pupil area change, rebound percentage during redilation, and combinations thereof.