Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/103—Detecting, measuring or recording devices for testing the shape, pattern, colour, size or movement of the body or parts thereof, for diagnostic purposes
  • A61B5/11—Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof, e.g. head or hand tremor, mobility of a limb
  • A61B5/1124—Determining motor skills
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/16—Devices for psychotechnics; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
  • A61B5/162—Testing reaction times
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/16—Devices for psychotechnics; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
  • A61B5/168—Evaluating attention deficit, hyperactivity
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/74—Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient ; user input means
  • A61B5/742—Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient ; user input means using visual displays
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/74—Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient ; user input means
  • A61B5/7475—User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B3/00—Apparatus for testing the eyes; Instruments for examining the eyes
  • A61B3/02—Subjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient
  • A61B3/024—Subjective types, i.e. testing apparatus requiring the active assistance of the patient for determining the visual field, e.g. perimeter types
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/40—Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the nervous system
  • A61B5/4076—Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system
  • A61B5/4082—Diagnosing or monitoring movement diseases, e.g. Parkinson, Huntington or Tourette
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/68—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient
  • A61B5/6887—Arrangements of detecting, measuring or recording means, e.g. sensors, in relation to patient mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
  • A61B5/6898—Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
  • A61B5/74—Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient ; user input means
  • A61B5/742—Details of notification to user or communication with user or patient ; user input means using visual displays
  • A61B5/744—Displaying an avatar, e.g. an animated cartoon character

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method of testing an infant and a device adapted to implement the test method.
• Fagan's test is a rare example of such a test ("The Fagan Test of Intelligence: A Technical Summary," Joseph G. Fagan III, Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Douglas K. Detterman, Volume 13, Issue 2, April -June 1992, Pages 173-193). It represents a great progress in cognitive assessment of the infant.
• An object of the invention is to provide a solution for testing infants more accurately and more reliably than with conventional, observation-based tests.
• an infant testing method comprising steps of: displaying a target on a screen,
• the proposed method allows the detection of infant contacts on the screen, including those of very short duration ( ⁇ 10 milliseconds)
• the data obtained are therefore more accurate and reliable than those obtained from conventional, observation-based tests, since the success parameter is an objective parameter, which does not depend on the judgment of an experimenter, and which can easily be to be compared to reference parameters.
• the proposed method can be implemented by a large number of professionals, without requiring extensive prior specific training.
• the calculated success parameter may include, for example, a distance between a point of contact of the infant with the screen and a position of the target displayed on the screen.
• the calculated success parameter may also include a duration between two successive contacts of the infant with the screen inside and / or outside the target.
• the calculated success parameter may include a success rate equal to the ratio between a number of contacts within the target and a number of contacts outside the target.
• the calculated success parameter may include a success rate equal to the ratio between a number of contacts within the target and a total duration of the test.
• an active target and an inactive target are displayed on the screen, and the method comprises a step of:
• a first active target and a second active target are displayed on the screen, and the method comprises steps of:
• the method comprises a step of:
• Moving from one position to another can be associated with a sound sequence successively or simultaneously.
• the predetermined sequence of positions may include a starting position, and the method comprises a step of: - if after a previous contact inside the target, no other contact is detected for a predetermined time, display the target in the starting position.
• the display of the target may be omitted.
• the method may also include a step of:
• the target is hidden by the mask.
• the mask can be displayed before or after the target is displayed in the position of the sequence in which the target is hidden by the mask.
• the target preferably represents a face or other attractive visual form for the infant.
• the target preferably has a width and / or a length of between 0.5 centimeters and 5 centimeters.
• the method may also comprise a step of:
• the invention also relates to an infant testing device comprising a touch screen and a processing module configured to perform the steps of the method as defined above.
• test device may be in the form of a tablet incorporating in a single device the touch screen and the processing module.
• the test device is preferably arranged on a table with an inclination with respect to the table of between 40 and 50 °, preferably 45 °. This inclination allows the child to easily reach the screen of the device, with the motor coordination capabilities related to his age.
• the invention also relates to a computer program product comprising code instructions for executing a method as defined above.
• the invention also relates to a storage medium readable by a computer equipment on which is recorded a computer program comprising code instructions for executing a method as defined above.
• FIG. 1 schematically represents a device for testing an infant according to one embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the steps of a first phase of a test method according to an embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 3 schematically represents a screen of the device during the first phase of the process
• FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the steps of a second phase of the test method
• FIG. 5 schematically represents a screen of the device during the second phase of the process
• FIG. 6 schematically represents a target that can be used during the different phases of the process
• FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the steps of a third phase of the test method.
• FIG. 8 schematically represents a screen of the device during the third phase of the method
• the test device 10 represented generally comprises a processing module 11, a data storage module 12 and a display module 13.
• the processing module 11 is a processor configured to execute the steps of the test method.
• the processing module 11 may be an electronic card, a dedicated integrated circuit or a programmable electronic component.
• the storage module 12 is a memory in which is recorded a program comprising code instructions for the execution of the test method by the processing module 11.
• the memory 12 is also able to contain the measurement data recorded during the execution of the program.
• the memory can be a hard disk (“Hard Disk Drive”), an EEPROM (“Electrically erasable programmable read-only memory”) or a flash memory (for example of "Solid State Drive” type) being in fixed form or removable (for example in the form of a USB connector key).
• the display module 13 comprises a touch screen 14.
• the touch screen 14 is clean on the one hand to be controlled by the processing module January 1 to display test pages and on the other hand to detect coordinates of a point of contact between a user and the touch screen 14.
• the test device 10 may also comprise a loudspeaker
• the test device 10 may be in the form of a tablet incorporating in a single device the processing module 11, the storage module 12, the display module 13 and the loudspeaker 15.
• the program may be present initially in the memory 12 of the device 10 or be downloaded by the user and then stored in the memory 12 of the device 10.
• the test method implemented comprises three successive phases.
• the first phase 100 of the test method (illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3) corresponds to a simple associative learning by contacts on fixed touch zones.
• this first phase aims to evaluate either the understanding of the contingency between certain movements of the child and a specific sensory feedback of the environment, namely the understanding of contingency. (synchrony) between two different sensory stimulations, which can be simultaneous or successive.
• This first phase can also be used to evaluate the ability to recognize novelty, the ability to discriminate certain elements between sound stimulation or between visual stimulation, and thus the perceptive finesse and memory of recognition of the child.
• the second phase 200 of the test method (illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6) consists in testing whether the infant can successively touch a target that moves along a predetermined trajectory.
• This second phase allows a more extensive observation of the attention, the working memory and the representations capacities of the infant, those of a dynamic object and of a trajectory, thus a spatio-temporal representation more complex than that of the previous phase, during a task of a level of difficulty higher than the visual-manual coordination level.
• the third phase 300 of the test method (illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8) is implemented in the continuity of the second phase.
• This third phase makes it possible to evaluate the ability to anticipate in time and space the movements of the target and / or the ability to represent the presence of a hidden object (permanence of the object), and therefore the visual-spatial working memory capabilities of the child.
• the test method proceeds as follows.
• infant means in the context of this application, a child aged 0 to 6 months. In the case of a child born prematurely, it is the corrected age of the child that is taken into account.
• the infant is placed in a ventral baby carrier, slightly rigid, carried by a relative or a close familiar to the child, with which it is allowed time to become familiar.
• the observer controls the start of the program in the device 10.
• the observer can start the program by selecting an appropriate icon corresponding to this program in a menu of the device.
• the parent or loved one sits down well on an adjustable chair, at a sufficient distance so that the infant can manually reach all the areas of the screen 14 dedicated to the method used, the eyes of the infant preferably at a distance of about 15 to 30 centimeters from the screen 14.
• the room in which the infant is tested should be empty, except for the items needed for the test, preferably be of a light and solid color, without any disturbing visual or sound element that may catch the child's attention.
• the room is also placed in relative darkness in order to maximize the child's attention and focus his attention as much as possible on the screen 14.
• Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the steps of the first phase 100 of the test method.
• a processing module 1 1 controls the display module 13 to display on the screen 14 a first test page.
• the first test page 16 is illustrated in FIG. 3.
• the first test page 16 contains a first target 17 (called “active target”) and a second target 18 (called “inactive target”).
• each target 17, 18 is constituted by a colored zone of the page.
• Each zone 17, 18 may have a rectangular shape. Areas 17 and 18 are located side by side at the bottom of screen 14.
• the display module 13 detects the contact (s) of the infant with the screen 14. More specifically, the display module 13 detects the coordinates (abscissa and ordinate) of the contact points of the infant with the screen 14. The display module 13 transmits the detected coordinates to the processing module 1 1.
• Each contact of the infant with the screen 14 triggers the following steps.
• the processing module 11 determines whether the contact point is situated in the active target 17.
• the processing module 11 controls the transmission by the device 10 of a stimulation comprising an audible and / or visual signal.
• the sound signal may for example consist of a spoken or musical sequence of different languages or different tones, for example a message of encouragement, emitted by the loudspeaker 15, according to the activated target.
• the visual signal may for example consist of the temporary display of an icon 19, a drawing or a video on the screen 14.
• the processing module 1 1 does not control the emission of stimulation.
• the processing module 11 controls the recording in the storage module 12 of the coordinates of the contact points and the contact moments (time elapsed since the beginning of the test, in milliseconds).
• the coordinates of the contact points and the contact times are recorded in the chronological order of the contacts.
• Each pair of contact coordinates is associated in the storage module 12 at a contact time, and at a number representative of the order of appearance of the contact. After a test duration determined by the behavior of the child and his attention to the task, the processing module terminates the test and performs a sixth step.
• the processing module 11 calculates one or more success parameters according to all the data recorded in the storage module 12 during the step 105.
• the calculated success parameters can be:
• a success rate equal to the ratio between a number of contacts inside the active target 17 and a number of contacts outside the active target 17.
• the processing module 1 1 can also calculate the following parameters:
• the processing module saves the calculated parameters in the storage module.
• the processing module 11 can control the display, on the screen 14, of the parameters calculated during the first phase 100 of the test method. The observer can thus view the results of this first phase.
• the two targets 17 and 18 may be active targets.
• the fourth step is modified so that:
• the processing module 11 controls the emission of a first stimulation comprising a first visual and / or audible signal, and
• the processing module 11 controls the emission of a second stimulation comprising a second visual and / or sound signal, different the first visual and / or sound signal.
• This second phase may be implemented if the observer considers that the child's motor coordination abilities have been sufficient during the first phase.
• Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing steps of the second phase 200 of the test method.
• the processing module 11 controls the display module 13 to display on the screen 14 a second test page 20.
• the second test page 20 is shown in FIG. 5.
• the second test page 20 contains a target 21.
• the target 21 schematically represents a face.
• the target 21 is positioned at the bottom of the screen 14 at a starting position P1.
• Figure 6 shows in more detail the shape of the target 21.
• Target 21 is specifically designed to attract the attention of infants.
• the target 21 has for example a circular shape and a bright color (such as yellow for example). It comprises two smaller circles 22 representing eyes and an arcuate line 23 representing a smiling mouth.
• the dimensions of the target 21 are particularly adapted to dimensions of the hands of the infants.
• the target 21 has a diameter D of between 3 and 5 centimeters, preferably of the order of 4 centimeters. In the case where the screen 14 comprises pixels whose size is 0.27 millimeters ⁇ 0.27 millimeters, the diameter of the target 21 is about 148 pixels and the area of the target is of the order of 17200 pixels.
• the position of the target 21 on the screen 14 is defined by the horizontal coordinates (abscissa along the X axis) and vertical coordinates (ordinate along the Y axis) of the center O of the target.
• the display module detects the contact (s) of the infant with the screen. More precisely, the display module 13 detects the coordinates (abscissa and ordinate) of the points of contact of the infant with the screen 14 and transmits the detected coordinates to the processing module 11.
• Each contact of the infant with the screen 14 triggers the following steps.
• the processing module 11 determines whether the point of contact is in the target 21.
• the processing module 1 1 controls the displacement of the target 21 on the screen 14 from a position Pi to a position Pi + 1 following, in a predetermined sequence of positions .
• the displacement can be accompanied by the emission of a sound stimulation, for example a message of encouragement.
• the target 21 is moved from a position Pi to a next position Pi + 1 according to the predetermined sequence.
• the sequence comprises a number N of predetermined successive positions, ranging from a starting position P1 to an arrival position PN along a predetermined trajectory.
• the number N can be equal to 3 for example.
• the processing module 11 controls the displacement of the target 21 on the screen 14 from the arrival position PN of the sequence to the starting position P1 of the sequence (reset of the sequence). If the point of contact is out of the target 21, the processing module 1 1 does not control the displacement of the target 21. The target 21 is maintained in its current position.
• the processing module 1 1 controls the displacement of the target 21 in the starting position P1 (resetting the sequence ).
• the movement sequence is reset to re-engage the infant's attention.
• the maximum display time can be between 5 and 20 seconds. It is preferably of the order of 10 seconds.
• the processing module 11 controls the recording in the storage module 12 of the coordinates of the contact points and the contact moments. Each pair of contact coordinates is associated in the storage module 12 at a contact time.
• the processing module 1 1 After a test duration determined by the behavior and attention of the child on the task, the processing module 1 1 ends the test and performs a sixth step.
• the processing module 11 calculates one or more success parameters according to all the data recorded in the storage module 12.
• the calculated success parameters can be: - distance between each point of contact and the center O of the target
• success rate equal to the ratio between a number of contacts inside the target 21 and a number of contacts outside the target 21.
• the processing module 1 1 can also calculate the following parameters: - a total duration of the second test phase,
• N being an integer greater than or equal to 3
• the processing module 11 stores the calculated parameters in the storage module 12.
• the processing module 11 can control the display, on the screen 14, of the parameters calculated during the second phase 200 of the test method. The observer can thus view the result of the second phase of the process.
• the third phase is started only if the child has been able to make several successive sets of contacts on the moving target during the second phase.
• the third phase of the test method represents a possible continuation of the second phase of the test method.
• Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically showing steps of the third phase 300 of the test method.
• the steps 301 to 308 of this third phase of the method are identical to the steps 201 to 208 of the second phase of the method.
• the third phase 300 of the method however comprises a step
• the processing module January 1 controls the display module 13 to display on the screen 14 a mask 24.
• the mask 24 comprises a colored area of the screen 14.
• the zone may have a rectangular shape.
• the third displayed test page 25 is identical to the second test page 20, except that the third test page 25 contains the mask 24.
• the mask 24 extends over one or more positions Pj to Pk of the sequence, so that it hides the target 21 when the target 21 is in each of the positions Pj to Pk.
• the target 21 is moved from a position Pi to a next following position Pi + 1, according to the same predetermined sequence of positions as during the second phase of the process.
• certain positions Pj to Pk of the target 21 are not visible to the infant because of the mask 24.
• the display of the target 21 can be omitted in the positions Pj to Pk.
• the processing module 11 calculates one or more success parameters as a function of all the data recorded in the storage module 12. The same parameters are calculated as in the step 206.
• the calculated pass parameters further include the following parameters:
• the processing module 11 stores the calculated parameters in the storage module 12.
• the processing module can control the display, on the screen 14, of the parameters calculated during the third phase 300 of the test method.
• the experimenter can thus visualize the result of the third phase of the process.
• Figures 9 and 10 present the results obtained with each group of children.
• Figure 9 is a diagram showing the average contact frequency (in number of contacts per minute) for each infant tested.
• Figure 10 is a diagram showing the frequency of contact series (in number of contact series per minute) for each infant tested.
• FIGS. 11A and 11B schematically illustrate results such that they can be displayed on the screen 14 at the end of the second phase of the process. These figures represent chronologically (clockwise) the distance (in number of pixels) between the point of contact and the center of the moving target during the second phase of the process, respectively for a full-term infant and for a premature infant.
• the total number of contacts generated by the premature infant is substantially identical to the number of contacts generated by the term-born infant.
• the premature infant does not generate any contact inside the target (in this case, the target does not move) while the term-born infant is able to make a series of 2 to 3 successive contacts with the target.
• the proposed method makes it possible to discriminate effectively between different groups of infants.
• the significant variability individual results within the group of term children, as well as within the group of premature infants indicates that the discriminative fineness of the process is very satisfactory, since it also allows them to be differentiated from each other. children of the same group, which is a prerequisite for any valid assessment.
• the program includes several test modules corresponding to different possible test phases; these can vary according to the characteristics of the targets, and those of the visual and auditory sequences. The child can be retested another day by focusing on specific elementary abilities to better understand the origin of his disorders.
• the proposed test method can be applied not only to the detection of developmental disorders in infants, but also to measure the course of their disorders after the application of child-appropriate management procedures.

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• 2014
  • 2014-10-21 FR FR1460108A patent/FR3027206B1/fr active Active
• 2015
  • 2015-10-21 EP EP15784638.7A patent/EP3209206A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-10-21 WO PCT/EP2015/074377 patent/WO2016062773A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2015-10-21 KR KR1020177010673A patent/KR20170087863A/ko unknown
  • 2015-10-21 CA CA2964870A patent/CA2964870A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2015-10-21 CN CN201580057551.4A patent/CN106999103A/zh active Pending
  • 2015-10-21 US US15/521,075 patent/US11026601B2/en active Active
  • 2015-10-21 JP JP2017522090A patent/JP2017536872A/ja not_active Ceased

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