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Wearable, low-cost device for examination of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) offered for licensing agreement

Country of Origin: Czech Republic
Reference Number: TOCZ20170327002
Publication Date: 28 April 2017

Summary

A Czech university has developed and patented low-cost 4-channel wearable device for examination of visual evoked potentials (VEPs). Therefore, with such device, now it is possible to carry out VEP diagnostics where needed including at home. The university is looking for an industrial partner, interested in acquiring licence for production of the device.

Description

A Czech university is involved in non-invasive registration of electrical activity of the human brain during a visual stimulation allows to evaluate the quality of visual perception and to diagnose its disorders.  The university has a long tradition in research and development of diagnostic applications of visual evoked potentials (visual evoked potentials - VEPs) and cognitive potentials. 

Recently, the university have developed a novel low-cost 4-channel wearable device for examination of VEPs. The VEPs examination is an objective method used worldwide for the diagnosis of neuro-ophthalmological and central nervous system diseases (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Optic Neuritis, Amblyopia, age related visual disorders, encephalopathies) based on measuring of the electrical activity in vision system. So far, existing bulky and expensive devices for VEPs examination has been usable only in specialised labs, which significantly limited deployment of this method. On the contrary, the wearable device on offer can be used where needed.

The wearable device consists of a visual stimulator (a matrix of the light-emitting diodes with adjustable luminance and colour), producing a large spectrum of monocular or binocular stimuli (including those with a cognitive task) and a recording part (based on a 4-channel electroencephalogram – EEG – amplifier).

The device is built into an ergonomic headset enabling positioning of the visual stimuli in various parts of the visual field. Two electrodes placed in fixating belt of the headset record VEPs from the forehead and two additional recording electrodes can be freely located over the activated part of the brain cortex (according to the used variant of visual stimuli).

The recorded VEPs are transmitted via an USB port to a PC for display and off-line evaluation. The device is supplied with a sensor of the background luminance (influencing the LED stimulation luminance) and with a 3D accelerometer enabling elimination of artefacts caused by movements of subjects during examination.

Since the device can be used also for evaluation of cognitive processes in the brain, it can also help with assessment of psychiatric disorders and improve effectiveness of the therapy.
Long term monitoring of VEPs is desirable for certain patients; the device may be attractive also for bio-medical schools for demonstrations of brain functions.

The wearable device on offer has the following benefits for a business - it is relatively simple when compared to the standard VEP equipment, also price of the device is to expected to be significantly lower.

The university is looking for an industrial partner interested in acquiring a licence for production of the invention on the basis of licensing agreement.
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Advantages and Innovations

- Unlimited mobility of the device – it can be used where needed (indoor, outdoor) including at home 
- Easy handling of the device eliminates need for specialised staff
- Possibility of long-term VEP monitoring (even during working activities)
- Low-cost device
- Home monitoring of VEP enables early detection of changes and hence possibly the prevention of critical brain disorders
- The device provides objective information about changes in reactivity of the central system – it can be used for a needed early detection of fatigue and sleepiness in various professions, not only in the medical sector

Stage Of Development

Field tested/evaluated

Stage Of Development Comment

There are 10 pieces of the prototype which were tested in volunteers. Testing of diagnostic sensitivity was started.

Requested partner

University is looking for an industrial partner interested in acquiring a licence through licensing 
agreement. Partner sought is expected to manufacture this device and bring it to the market.

Cooperation offer is closed for requests