Development and Clinical Evaluation of an Eye Movement Input Device Designed to Assist Continuous Communication in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients

Tomoya Miyasaka ； Masanori Shoji ； Toshiaki Tanaka

《Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering》 31卷4期 (2011/08) Pp. 265-271

並列摘要

We developed an eye movement input device that could continually be used by a simple input in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. The device configuration consisted of a head unit weighing 85 g with a mounted video camera, and an eye movement detector device with a circuit for detecting eye movement on a small liquid crystal monitor. The function of the developed eye movement input device was to enable, by movement of the eyes, a 1-channel contact signal output to a communication support device or computer, and ringing of a bell. Users could operate this without looking at the main unit device monitor. Operation status was confirmed by the communication support device screen or input sound, or the chiming sound of a bell. Between 2004 and 2007, the eye movement input device was clinically evaluated in 4 ALS patients. The 4 patients included 2 men and 2 women, 3 aged 50-59 and 1 aged 70-79. The period of use was as follows: 33 months in patient 1, 2 months in patient 2, 1 month in patient 3, and less than 1 week in patient 4. The clinical evaluation results and a discussion of patient 1 (woman, aged 50's) are described in detail. The device was designed so she could input commands to a personal computer and bell output. The device assisted her communication included daily requests to a caregiver for body repositioning or suction of saliva and conversations with nearby persons. Periodically, responses to physician inquiries helped to determine caregiver and treatment planning. The present results showed that the current eye movement input device effectively assisted continuous communication in ALS patients.

並列關鍵字

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ALS ； Communication ； Eye movement ； Input device