Device for examining a subject and, in particular, determining his or her vestibular evoked potentials

Patent 5983128 Issued on November 9, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 10, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Method for transcutaneous electrical stimulation
Patent #: 4305402
Issued on: 12/15/1981
Inventor: Katims

Method and apparatus for transcutaneous electrical stimulation
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Issued on: 03/12/1985
Inventor: Katims

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Patent #: 4672978
Issued on: 06/16/1987
Inventor: Danto

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Issued on: 09/01/1992
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Inventors

Assignee

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Application

No. 765958 filed on 01/10/1997

US Classes:

600/544, Detecting brain electric signal600/595Body movement (e.g., head or hand tremor, motility of limb, etc.)

Examiners

Primary: Nasser, Robert L.

Foreign Patent References

WO 83/03341 WO. 10/12/1983

International Class

A61B 005/10

Foreign Application Priority Data

1994-07-15 FR

Abstract

A frame (1) with driving members (9-11) for translating and/or rotating an assembly (4) movably mounted in said frame along one of the three planes defining the space. A unit for mechanically controlling said driving members is arranged to enable the stationary patient on the movable assembly (4) to be exposed to a moving elementary stimulation having monotonic space-time characteristics with a speed- and/or acceleration-adjustable profile, by translation and/or rotation thereof along at least one of said three planes of the space. The device further includes a processing unit for digitising waves sensed by at least some of the electrodes of an electrophysiological helmet on the patient's skull, and for finding therein evoked potentials that match the profile of the elementary stimulation. Real-time data on the functioning of at least one part of the vestibular system may thus be obtained.

Other References

PCT Search Report for PCT/FR95/00931, Oct. 2, 1995 (French and English versions)
Acta Otolaryngol, vol. 102, 1986 Stockh., SE, pp. 175-178; Richard Kast, et al., "Otolithic Evoked Potentials: A New Technique for Vestibular Studies"
Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 80, No. 2, Mar. 1991 Ireland, pp. 140-145; J. Elidan et al. "Short and Middle Latency Vestibular Evoked Responses to Acceleration in Man"
Medical Progress Through Technology, vol. 20, No. 1-2, Jan. 1994; Amsterdam, NL, pp. 31-35; Caupolican Munoz-Gamboa et al., "Human Vestibular Evoked Responses