Method for detecting pulsatile dynamics of the optic nerve sheath, diagnostic methods, medical uses, non-invasive markers, systems and transducer devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a new method, as well as diagnosis. A non-invasive marker, systems and equipment are also included.

1 . A method for non-invasively determining a state of at least one marker selected from the group consisting of: a marker indicating possibly increased intracranial pressure of a patient and a marker indicating another condition affecting an optic nerve sheath of the patient, the method comprising:
 locating the patient's optic nerve sheath;   monitoring motion of the optic nerve sheath using at least one of: a transducer device and data recorded with a transducer device, to detect displacements of the optic nerve sheath;   using the detected displacements to determine a measure of stiffness of the optic nerve sheath; and   using the detected displacements and the measure of stiffness to determine the state of the at least one marker.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is for non-invasively determining the state of a marker indicating possibly increased intracranial pressure of a patient, and wherein increased stiffness is associated with increased intracranial pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein monitoring motion of the optic nerve sheath to detect displacements is carried out over a period of time including one or more cardiac cycles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein motion of the optic nerve sheath is caused by cardiac and/or respiratory motion in the patient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein using the detected displacements and the measure of stiffness to determine the state of the at least one marker comprises analysis of variations occurring during a single cardiac cycle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising detecting the displacements as they vary with time at two locations around the optic nerve sheath or in the region surrounding the optic nerve sheath, wherein determining the measure of stiffness of the optic nerve sheath includes obtaining a parameter of deformability (Δ) based on the displacements. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the parameter of deformability (Δ) is calculated according to the equation: 
       
         
           
             
               Δ 
               = 
               
                 
                    
                   
                     
                       d 
                       A 
                     
                     - 
                     
                       d 
                       B 
                     
                   
                    
                 
                 
                   
                     d 
                     A 
                   
                   + 
                   
                     d 
                     B 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
         wherein d A  and d B  represent the displacements at the two locations. 
       
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing a Fourier analysis of a motion pattern of the optic nerve sheath in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic nerve sheath. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inducing a displacement or an associated biological response in order to prompt motion of the optic nerve sheath. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising obtaining the optic nerve sheath diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transducer device comprises an ultrasound transducer, an x-ray emitter, a magnetic resonance imager, a computed tomography scanner, optical coherence tomography scanner, or a combination of any two or more thereof. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for non-invasively calculating at least one of a marker indicating possibly increased intracranial pressure of a patient and a marker indicating another condition affecting an optic nerve sheath of the patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an imaging system for locating the optic nerve sheath and for monitoring displacements arising from motion of the optic nerve sheath, the imaging system including at least one of a transducer device and data recorded with a transducer device; and   a data analysis device configured to: use the displacements to determine a measure of stiffness of the optic nerve sheath; and use the detected displacements and the measure of stiffness to estimate the state of the marker.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus is for non-invasively determining a marker indicating possibly increased intracranial pressure of a patient, and wherein the data analysis device is configured to associate increased stiffness with increased intracranial pressure. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the imaging system is configured to detect the displacements as they vary with time at two locations around the optic nerve sheath or in the region surrounding the optic nerve sheath, and wherein the data analysis device is configured to obtain a parameter of deformability (Δ) based on the displacements. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the parameter of deformability (Δ) is calculated according to the equation: 
       
         
           
             
               Δ 
               = 
               
                 
                    
                   
                     
                       d 
                       A 
                     
                     - 
                     
                       d 
                       B 
                     
                   
                    
                 
                 
                   
                     d 
                     A 
                   
                   + 
                   
                     d 
                     B 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
         wherein d A  and d B  represent the displacements at the two locations. 
       
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the data analysis device is configured to perform a Fourier analysis of the motion pattern of the optic nerve sheath in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optic nerve sheath. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the data analysis device is configured to obtain the optic nerve sheath diameter as an augment. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the transducer device comprises an ultrasound transducer, an x-ray emitter, a magnetic resonance imager, a computed tomography scanner, optical coherence tomography scanner or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed, will configure an apparatus to non-invasively determine at least one of a marker indicating possibly increased intracranial pressure of a patient and a marker indicating another condition affecting an optic nerve sheath of the patient in accordance with the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . A method for detecting pulsatile dynamics of an optic nerve sheath (ONS) or in a region surrounding the ONS, comprising the steps of:
 locating the ONS;   choosing one or more locations around the ONS or in the region surrounding the ONS; and   measuring the pulsatile dynamics at the one or more locations over a given time period or frequency.