WO2024013425A1

WO2024013425A1 - System and method of determining touch sensitivity of area on body

Info

Publication number: WO2024013425A1
Application number: PCT/FI2023/050354
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juha Päällysaho
Original assignee: Icare Finland Oy
Priority date: 2022-07-14
Filing date: 2023-06-14
Publication date: 2024-01-18
Also published as: FI20225665A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a system (100, 200) of determining a touch sensitivity of an area (102, 202) on a body. The system comprises a housing (104, 208) comprising a probe (106, 206) comprising an elongated body (108) and a head (110) connected to a first end (108A) of the elongated body, the probe operable to impact the area on the body with an impact parameter and rebound after the impact; a probe attachment means operable to retain the probe within the housing; and a probe release means (112) operable to release the probe towards the area on the body; a detector (114, 210) configured to automatically detect a body reflex; and a controller (116, 204) operatively coupled to the probe attachment means, the probe release means and the detector. Disclosed also is a method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETERMINING TOUCH SENSITIVITY OF AREA

ON BODY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body. The present disclosure also relates to a method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body.

BACKGROUND

Over the past few decades, measurement devices have gained popularity in various disciplines such as medicine, engineering, and the like. Particularly, in the medicine, the measurement devices may often be employed to view an area on a body of a subject, measure tactile sensitivity thereof, and so forth, by medical professionals such as optometrists, ophthalmologists, and the like, in order to measure parameters and/or to diagnose ailments associated with the said area on the body.

Conventionally, such measurement devices examine the area on the body of the subjects by providing a touch thereto and receiving a feedback therefrom if a touch had been felt by them or not. In such a case, examinations, diagnosis, and/or imaging of the area on the body may be unreliable and erroneous due to a dependency on the subject's alertness and attention to the sensory sensitivity task.

Alternatively, an esthesiometer may be used to determine a function of corneal sensory neurons of an eye of the subject. Typically, the corneal sensitivity threshold is determined either by objectively recording the spontaneous response of the eyelids (automatic vibration of the eyelid and lashes) when the stimulus signal strength exceeds the neuronal signal-to- noise threshold or by measuring the subject's own response (such as an answer button response) to the stimulus signal. Notably, there is usually a difference between the two response thresholds, i.e., the objective signal- to-noise threshold level is lower and more reproducible because it is an automatic neural response to a sensory stimulus. The subjective response threshold is higher and varies according to the subject's level of alertness and attention to the sensory sensitivity task. However, the said esthesiometer only activates a mechanoreceptor on a surface of the eye and underestimates corneal sensitivity, thus is unable to detect subtle changes in sensitivity, particularly at higher sensitivity levels. Moreover, the esthesiometer employs a psychophysical staircase algorithm. However, the said algorithm requires a long time to measure the area on the body when the subject is unable to maintain constant focus on the measurement task. Additionally, variations in the measured thresholds may be evident and the determination of the exact threshold may be uncertain, especially when there is damage to the sensory excitation of the cornea. Further, the existing esthesiometers may require constant human intervention to receive feedbacks from the subject.

Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with existing means for determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure seeks to provide a system of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body. The present disclosure also seeks to provide a method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body. An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a solution that overcomes at least partially the problems encountered in prior art. In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides system of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, the system comprising:

- a housing comprising:

- a probe comprising an elongated body and a head connected to a first end of the elongated body, the probe operable to impact the area on the body with an impact parameter and rebound after the impact;

- a probe attachment means operable to retain the probe within the housing; and

- a probe release means operable to release the probe towards the area on the body;

- a detector configured to automatically detect a body reflex; and

- a controller operatively coupled to the probe attachment means, the probe release means and the detector, wherein the controller is operable to:

(a) set a first impact parameter as the impact parameter for the probe;

(b) release the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the first impact parameter;

(c) detect automatically within a period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the first set of impact parameters;

(d) update the impact parameter from the previous value to a new value different from the previous value;

(e) release the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the updated impact parameter;

(f) detect automatically within the period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter; and (g) repeating steps (d) to (f) until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, the method comprising: a) setting an impact parameter for a probe comprising an elongated body and a head connected to a first end of the elongated body; b) releasing the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the impact parameter; c) detecting automatically within a period of time whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe; d) updating the impact parameter from the previous value to a new value different from the previous value; e) releasing the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the updated impact parameter; f) detecting automatically within the period of time whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area on the body is determined with a detector to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

Embodiments of the present disclosure substantially eliminate or at least partially address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, and enable an improved, accurate, reliable, effective, user friendly, and efficient system of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body. Beneficially, the system enables a fast and an automatic measurement of a touch sensitivity of the area on the body, thus without requiring frequent (or constant) human intervention.

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those skilled in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2A, 2B and 2C are exemplary implementations of a system of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting steps of a method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4, shown is a graphical representation of a body reflex occurring as a response at a corresponding period of time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides system of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, the system comprising:

- a housing comprising: - a probe comprising an elongated body and a head connected to a first end of the elongated body, the probe operable to impact the area on the body with an impact parameter and rebound after the impact;

- a probe attachment means operable to retain the probe within the housing; and

- a detector configured to automatically detect a body reflex; and

(a) set a first impact parameter as the impact parameter for the probe;

(f) detect automatically within the period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter; and

(g) repeating steps (d) to (f) until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected. In another aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, the method comprising: a) setting an impact parameter for a probe comprising an elongated body and a head connected to a first end of the elongated body; b) releasing the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the impact parameter; c) detecting automatically within a period of time whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe; d) updating the impact parameter from the previous value to a new value different from the previous value; e) releasing the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the updated impact parameter; f) detecting automatically within the period of time whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

The present disclosure provides the aforementioned system and the aforementioned method that is robust, fast, effective, reliable and user friendly. Advantageously, the aforementioned system does not require the subject to be fully attentive or alert during the measurements because the subject is not required to actively indicate touch sensation, for example, by pressing a button, thus not affecting the measurement accuracy of the system. In this regard, the aforementioned system significantly speeds up the measurement of the touch sensitivity of the area on the body and provides a more reliable estimation thereof. In addition, faster measurements allow the system to start with lower impact pressures, this is especially important when there is a damaged area where the touch sensitivity is required to be measured.

Pursuant to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "body" as used herein refers to a physical whole of a subject such as a human or an animal. Moreover, the area is an element of the body such as a body part whose property is to be measured. Optionally, the area on the body is selected to be at least one of an eye, a knee, an elbow. In an embodiment, the area on the body is the eye. Herein, the eye may be measured for several parts, such as cornea, iris, pupil, aqueous humor, lens, vitreous humor, retina, and optic nerve, thereof. Typically, the system enables measuring of a property of the cornea. In another embodiment, the area on the body is the knee. Herein, the knee may be measured for tissues around the kneecap cartilage (including the bones). Furthermore, the kneecap cartilage has nerve endings and therefore the area around a kneecap or patella may be examined in order to determine a tenderness thereof. In yet another embodiment, the area on the body is the elbow. Herein, the elbow may be measured for bones (humerus, ulna, and radius), a cartilage covering the bones, a joint capsule, nerves that travel down the arm and pass across the elbow, for relaying sensations such as touch, pain and temperature and signaling muscles to work in response to such sensations.

The term "touch sensitivity" as used herein refers to a physiological parameter of the area on the body. In other words, the touch sensitivity refers to the physiological parameters of an eye such as, a touch sensitivity of the eye, an intra-ocular pressure of the eye, and the like. Optionally, the touch sensitivity of the eye is a corneal sensitivity. In an implementation, the system enables a reliable estimation of a threshold of the corneal sensitivity of the eye. Notably, the corneal sensitivity is most acute in the central cornea and along the horizontal meridian, and least sensitive along the vertical meridian of the eye. Notably, the touch sensitivity is determined for treatment of eye-related conditions such as conjunctivitis, corneal infections, glaucoma, dry-eye and so forth.

The system comprises a housing. The term "housing" as used herein refers to a protective layer that is configured to encircle (or surround) the at least one component of the system at least partly or completely. In other words, the housing is adapted to accommodate the components of the system. It will be appreciated that the components of the system could be arranged (namely, held or attached) in the housing via mechanical means, magnetic means, and the like. In an implementation, the components of the system could be manufactured individually, and then could be assembled in the housing. In another implementation, the components of the system could be manufactured as an integral part of the housing.

Moreover, the housing comprises a probe comprising an elongated body and a head connected to a first end of the elongated body. The term "probe" as used herein refers to a tool employed for determining the touch sensitivity of the area on the body. In this regard, the probe has the elongated body. Furthermore, the elongated body has the first end that protrudes outside the housing of the system, when in use. Optionally, the elongated body has a second end, such that the second end is inside the housing of the system. The term "head" as used herein refers to a second part of the probe that is implemented as a spherical or an ellipsoidal element. In this regard, the head is connected to the first end of the elongated body. Beneficially, such spherical or ellipsoidal element increases surface area of the probe, thereby reducing an impact pressure of the probe on an ocular surface. Notably, the ocular surface refers to a surface of the eye that acts as an interface between the functioning eye and external environment. It will be appreciated that when in use, the head is in contact with the area on the body to determine the touch sensitivity thereof. Optionally, the probe is designed in a manner to have minimal contact with the ocular surface of the eye, when in use.

Optionally, the head of the probe is made from a bio-compatible material that may impact the area on the body, when in use. Optionally, beneficially, the head being made of bio-compatible material enables the probe to function in intimate contact with living tissues of the eye, for example, causing minimal discomfort or pain during the impact. Optionally, the biocompatible material is free from carcinogenicity, toxicity, and is resistive to corrosion.

Moreover, the probe is operable to impact the area on the body with an impact parameter and rebound after the impact. The term "impact parameter" as used herein refers to a measurable property of the probe that quantifies the touch sensitivity of the area on the body upon impacting the area on the body. Optionally, the impact parameter comprises at least a speed of the probe. The term "speed of the probe" as used herein refers to a distance covered by the probe in a unit time while contacting (and/or rebounding) the area on the body and measuring the touch sensitivity of the said area on the body. In this regard, the speed of the probe while impacting the area on the body may be different from the speed of the probe when rebound after the impact. It will be appreciated that an optimum speed of the probe is maintained, when in use.

Furthermore, the housing comprises a probe attachment means operable to retain the probe within the housing. The term "probe attachment means" as used herein refers to a mechanical element that is used to hold the probe in a certain position within the housing during impacting or rebounding from the area on the body. Optionally, the probe attachment means retains the probe in a resting position thereof and prevents the probe from dropping off of the system. Optionally, the probe attachment means is strategically designed to allow movement of the probe along a longitudinal axis of the probe when in operation. Alternatively, optionally, the probe attachment means comprises a mechanical lock, a frictional brake, an induction coil, an electrical conductor (for example, a wire) in shape of a coil, spiral, helix, and the like. Additionally, or alternatively, optionally, the probe attachment means induces an electric field, a frictional force and/or a magnetic field into the probe for its retention in the housing of the system.

The housing comprises a probe release means operable to release the probe towards the area on the body. The term "probe release means" as used herein refers to a mechanical element that is used to release the probe from the housing in a certain position and a certain direction. In this regard, the probe release means enables an efficient and accurate movement of the probe, when in use. Optionally, the probe release means are selected from at least one of air pressure, springs, actuator. The term "air pressure" as used herein refers to an atmospheric pressure (namely, a barometric pressure) and is defined as a force per unit area exerted by an atmospheric column (that is, the entire body of air above the specified area). In this regard, the air pressure is used as the probe release means in order to enable movement of the probe towards the area on the body. The term "spring" as used herein refers to an elastic machine element, that possesses an ability to deflect under an action of the load and returns to an original shape when the load is removed. In other words, the spring is an elastic object that stores mechanical energy. It will be appreciated that the spring when used as the probe release means absorbs or control energy due to shock and vibration. Optionally, the spring is fabricated using a spring steel. Optionally, the spring is a coil spring. Optionally, the probe release means is an induction coil.

Optionally, the elongated body is a magnetic body and the probe release means are operable to release the probe towards the area on the body by driving voltage to the probe release means, the driving voltage being defined by the impact parameter. Throughout the present disclosure, the term "magnetic body" refers to at least a part of the elongated body that is made of a magnetic material. For example, the magnetic body may be made of a thin wire of magnetic material. Optionally, the magnetic material in the magnetic body may be ferromagnetic. In this regard, the voltage causes the probe release means to generate an electric field according to the Faraday's law of induction due to its attachment to the elongated body (implemented as a magnetic body) of the probe. Moreover, the generated electric field generates a force to the probe in order to enable the movement thereof for measuring the touch sensitivity of the area on the body.

Moreover, the system comprises a detector configured to automatically detect a body reflex. The term "detector" as used herein refers to a device that is used to detect, track, identify and/or measure information arising from a physical interaction with an environment thereof, herein the interaction of the area on the body with the head of the probe. Optionally, the detector is modeled after the biological sense of cutaneous touch which is capable of detecting stimuli resulting from a mechanical stimulation. It will be appreciated that the detector is operable to automatically detect all the possible movements of the area on the body. The term "automatically detect" as used herein refers to a detector that detects by itself with no direct human control. In this regard, the detector is used to automatically detect the body reflex movements associated with the area on the body while measuring the touch sensitivity thereof. The term "body reflex" as used herein refers to an involuntary, unplanned sequence or action and nearly instantaneous movement of the area on the body in response to a stimulus, herein generated due to the interaction of the area on the body with the head of the probe. Notably, the body reflex is made possible by neural pathways called reflex arcs which can act on an impulse before that impulse reaches the brain. The reflex is then an automatic response to the stimulus that does not receive or need conscious thought.

Optionally, the body reflex is selected to be at least one of a blink reflex, a patellar reflex, triceps reflex. The term "blink reflex" as used herein refers to an involuntary blinking of the eyelids elicited by stimulation of the cornea (such as by touching or by the head of the probe), though could result from any peripheral stimulus. Optionally, the blinking reflex is detected at a rapid rate within 0.1 seconds, as otherwise it may be a random blink. It will be appreciated that the blink reflex enables protection of the eyes from the head of the probe or any other foreign bodies. The term "patellar reflex" as used herein refers to a sudden kicking movement of the lower leg in response to a sharp tap on the patellar tendon, which lies just below the kneecap. Optionally, the patellar reflex is detected within 0.1 seconds. The term "triceps reflex" as used herein refers to a reflex as it elicits involuntary contraction of the triceps brachii muscle, typically, initiated by the cervical (of the neck region) spinal nerve root. Beneficially, the aforementioned body reflexes provide a better assessment of the area on the body (such as corneal sensory state in case of blink reflex) and without requiring any active attention of the subject. Optionally, the triceps reflex is detected within 0.1 seconds. It will be appreciated that the system employs the detector to differentiate between the spontaneous reflex (such as blinking) and the stimulus reflex (caused by the touch stimulus), leading to a lower signal-to- noise threshold, more reproducible results, and faster measurements. Optionally, the detector is selected to be at least one of a movement sensor, a camera. The term "movement sensor" as used herein refers to an electronic device that is designed to automatically detect and measure movement of an object. Herein, the movement sensor is configured to automatically detect a speed of the probe while it is released towards a target to contact an area on the body or while the probe rebounds after making said contact. Optionally, the movement sensor is configured to automatically detect a movement (such as a blink of an eye) in the area on the body upon being impacted by the head of the probe. Optionally, the movement sensor is an active movement sensor or a passive movement sensor. Notably, the active movement sensor has both a transmitter and a receiver. The active movement sensor detects motion by measuring changes in the amount of sound or radiation reflecting back into the receiver. The term "camera" as used herein refers to an image sensor that may be used to capture one or more images of the area on the body. Alternatively, a plurality of cameras may be arranged in a defined manner so as to cover the area entirely. Optionally, the camera may capture a video of the area. Optionally, the system is arranged on an optical path between the area on the body and a lens of the camera. Examples of the camera may include, but are not limited to, a stereo camera, a 2D camera, a Red-Green- Blue (RGB) camera, monochrome camera, a Red-Green-Blue-Depth (RGB- D) camera, an infrared camera. Optionally, the camera is a charge-coupled device (CCD)-based camera, a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-based camera, or similar.

In an implementation, the system records a front of the eye using the camera and digitizes the edge of the upper eyelid (including the lower eyelid if necessary) and the lash line. Moreover, a lowest rebound probe speed at which the corneal surface contact is strong enough to generate an automatic eyelid/lash reflex for probe contact is recorded using a recording device.

In such implementation, the detector is used to automatically detect if the eye lashes are blinked. Optionally, the blink may denote that the eye of the body is closed and the probe has efficiently impacted the eye. In another implementation, when there is no movement of the eye lashes within the predetermined time then the detector is operable to automatically detect that the probe has not impacted the eye with the impact parameter, thus the body did not notice the touch.

Optionally, the detector further comprises a recording device operable to record the body reflex within the period of time. The term "recording device" as used herein refers to an electronic device that is used to record a motion or a stimulus of the area on the body. In this regard, the recording device records a plurality of the body reflexes within the period of time. Optionally, the recording device is operable to record a video of the speed of the probe when impacting the area on the body. Optionally, the said video is used for further examination, analyses, or diagnosis of the area on the body.

Furthermore, the system comprises the controller operatively coupled to the probe attachment means, the probe release means and the detector. The term "controller" as used herein refers to a computational device that is operable for controlling the overall operation of the system. In this regard, the controller, in operation, performs tasks such as, but not limited to, controlling movement of the probe, and responding to and processing information. In an example, the controller may be an embedded microcontroller, a microprocessor, and the like. Optionally, the controller may be implemented as an internal component of the system, an external component of the system, or a combination of these. Moreover, the controller is operable to:

(a) set a first impact parameter as the impact parameter for the probe;

(c) detect within a period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the first set of impact parameters;

(f) detect within the period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter; and

(g) repeating steps (d) to (f) until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

In this regard, the term "first impact parameter" as used herein refers to a measurable property such as a first speed of the probe. In this regard, the controller sets the first speed to the probe as the impact parameter for the probe to impact the area on the body. Optionally, the first impact parameter is set based on an application of the system. Herein, a period of time is predefined based on the area on the body or an application of the system. Furthermore, the controller is operable to detect automatically within the period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the first set of impact parameters. The term "detect automatically" as used within this disclosure refers to the fact that detection is done without any direct human control. Optionally, the period of time is selected to be from 50 milliseconds up to 150 milliseconds. Optionally, the period of time may be in a range from 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, or 130 milliseconds up to 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 130, or 150 milliseconds. Beneficially, the said range of period of time is optimum for determining the touch sensitivity of the area on the body. In an implementation, the blink reflex may be a spontaneous blink reflex or a stimulus blink reflex. If the eyelid movement begins during the selected period of time it is interpreted as a reflex for the touch stimulus, otherwise, it is interpreted as random and spontaneous blinking of the eyelids. Moreover, the spontaneous lid margin reflexes may be reduced with different methods such as by asking the subject to look at the fixation point during the measurement of the area on the body. Furthermore, the stimulus-related corneal reflexes (such as a vibration of the lid edge) may occur with a very short delay after the stimulus, typically, a normal latency is approximately 100 milliseconds. Moreover, the system enables to differentiate between the spontaneous reflex and stimulus reflex because the average blink last for 100 milliseconds, but the touch stimulus reflex is 150 milliseconds. This is because the average time from stimulus to blinking reflex is approximately 100 milliseconds and the measurement is done in the period of 50 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds to detect the start of the eyelid movement. Thus, lowering the signal-to-noise threshold level, obtaining more reproducible results, and fastening the measurement of the touch sensitivity of the area. It will be appreciated that after each stimulus, the period of time is set, during which the reflex movement of the eyelid is accepted as the stimulus blink reflex. Advantageously, the automated system that is based on the detection of eyelid movement enables more reliable and repeatable measurement of the touch sensation compared to devices that rely on feedback of the patient. In this regard, the detector is used to observe the body reflexes. Moreover, the controller, updates the impact parameter from the previous value to the new value different from the previous value. Herein, a new value refers to a second speed of the probe or a second impact parameter that is different from the first speed of the probe, in case the detector fails to detect any body reflex corresponding to the first impact parameter to impact the area on the body with the updated impact parameter in order for the detector to detect the body reflex corresponding to the updated impact parameter. It will be appreciated that the controller is configured to repeat the aforementioned steps with different speeds of probes and sufficient number of times to find statistically relevant thresholds on which the body feels the touch sensitivity and when the body does not feel the touch sensitivity.

Optionally, the controller is operable to

- increase the speed of the probe until the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe;

- decrease the speed of the probe until no body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe.

In this regard, the controller is operable to modulate the speed of the probe based on the corresponding body reflex. Beneficially, the controller speeds up the measurement of the touch sensitivity such as a corneal sensory receptor function and provides a more reliable estimation thereof. The technical effect of adjusting the speed of the probe using the controller is to optimize the detection of the body reflex as a response to the impact of the probe. This allows for efficient and accurate measurement of the touch sensitivity by finding the appropriate speed at which the body reflex is most consistently and reliably triggered. The present disclosure also relates to the method as described above. Various embodiments and variants disclosed above apply mutatis mutandis to the method.

Optionally, the probe is released towards the area on the body by using at least one of selected from air pressure, springs, actuator.

Optionally, the probe is released towards the area on the body by driving voltage to a release means.

Optionally, the impact parameter comprises at least a speed of the probe.

Optionally, the impact parameter is

- increased until the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe;

- decreased until no body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe.

Optionally, the method further comprising recording the body reflex within the period of time with a recording device.

Optionally, the period of time is selected to be from 50 milliseconds up to 150 milliseconds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a schematic illustration of a system 100 of determining a touch sensitivity of an area 102 on a body (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, the area 102 is implemented as an eye. The system comprises a housing 104 comprising: a probe 106 comprising an elongated body 108 and a head 110 connected to a first end 108A of the elongated body 108, the probe 106 operable to impact the area 102 on the body with an impact parameter and rebound after the impact; a probe attachment means (not shown) operable to retain the probe within the housing 104; and a probe release means 112 operable to release the probe 106 towards the area 102 on the body. Moreover, the system 100 comprises a detector 114 configured to automatically detect a body reflex. Furthermore, the system 100 comprises a controller 116 operatively coupled to the probe attachment means, the probe release means 112 and the detector 114. Moreover, the controller 116 is operable to set a first impact parameter as the impact parameter for the probe 106; release the probe 106 towards the area 102 on the body to impact the area 102 on the body with the first impact parameter; detect automatically within a period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe 106 with the first set of impact parameters; update the impact parameter from the previous value to a new value different from the previous value; release the probe 106 towards the area 102 on the body to impact the area 102 on the body with the updated impact parameter; detect automatically within the period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe 106 with the updated impact parameter; and repeating the aforementioned steps to until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area 102 on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

Referring to FIGs. 2A, 2B and 2C, shown are exemplary illustrations of a system 200 of determining a touch sensitivity of an area 202 on a body (not shown), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Herein, the area 202 is implemented as an eye. As shown in FIG. 2A, a controller 204 is operable to set a first impact parameter as the impact parameter for the probe 206 and release the probe 206 towards the area 202 on the body in order to impact thereof with the first impact parameter. As shown in FIG. 2B, the probe 206 is released towards the area 202 on the body to impact the area 202 on the body with the first impact parameter. As shown in FIG. 2C, the probe 206 rebounds after the impact or a probe attachment means is operable to retain the probe 206 within a housing 208. Moreover, a detector 210 is configured to automatically detect a body reflex such as detect possible movements of eye lids. Furthermore, the controller 204 is operable to detect automatically within a period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the first set of impact parameters. Additionally, the controller 204 is operable to repeating the aforementioned steps until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area 202 on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

Referring to FIG. 3, shown is a flowchart 300 depicting steps of a method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area on a body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. At step 302, an impact parameter for a probe, comprising an elongated body and a head connected to a first end of the elongated body, is set. At step 304, the probe is released towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the impact parameter. At step 306, whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe is detected automatically within a period of time. At step 308, the impact parameter is updated from a previous value to a new value different from the previous value. At step 310, the probe is released towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the updated impact parameter. At step 312, whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter within the period of time is detected automatically. At step 314, the aforementioned steps from 308 to 312 is repeated until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

The steps 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312 and 314 are only illustrative and other alternatives can also be provided where one or more steps are added, one or more steps are removed, or one or more steps are provided in a different sequence without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, shown is a graphical representation 400 of a body reflex occurring as a response at a corresponding period of time, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, an x-axis 402 depicts the period of time in seconds and a y-axis 404 depicts the body reflex at the corresponding period of time. As shown, at A an eye of the body is open for 3 to 5 seconds and after that, a spontaneous eye blink is detected by a detector for a period of 0.1 seconds to 0.4 seconds (depicted herein as a vertical bar 406). Moreover, B depicts a corneal reflex or a time period to blink the eye after the impact has been made by the probe. Herein, the vertical bar 408 depicts a stimulus reflex of 2 milliseconds and the vertical bar 410 depicts an eye blink by the reflex at the period of time of 0.1 seconds to 0.4 seconds. As shown, C and D depicts that the eye is open for 3 seconds to 5 seconds. Furthermore, the vertical bar 412 depicts another spontaneous eye blink between the period of time of 0.1 seconds to 0.4 seconds. Similarly, the vertical bar 414 depicts another spontaneous eye blink between the period of time of 0.1 seconds to 0.4 seconds. It will be appreciated that the measurement time range of 50 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds allows to detect the body reflex which on average starts during 100 milliseconds from the touch. Moreover, the automated system that is based on detection of eyelid movement enables more reliable and repeatable measurement of touch sensation compared to methods that rely on feedback of the patient. Moreover, the range of 50 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds allows to automatically detect the body reflex. For example, the reflex eyelid movement in response to touch stimulation begins approximately in 100 milliseconds from the touch. Additionally, if the eyelid movement begins during the aforementioned range it is interpreted as a reflex for the touch stimulus, otherwise it is interpreted as random and spontaneous blinking of the eyelids.

Modifications to embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as "including", "comprising", "incorporating", "have", "is" used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system (100, 200) of determining a touch sensitivity of an area (102, 202) on a body, the system comprising:

- a housing (104, 208) comprising:

- a probe (106, 206) comprising an elongated body (108) and a head (110) connected to a first end (108A) of the elongated body, the probe operable to impact the area on the body with an impact parameter and rebound after the impact;

- a probe attachment means operable to retain the probe within the housing; and

- a probe release means (112) operable to release the probe towards the area on the body;

- a detector (114, 210) configured to automatically detect a body reflex; and

- a controller (116, 204) operatively coupled to the probe attachment means, the probe release means and the detector, wherein the controller is operable to:

(a) set a first impact parameter as the impact parameter for the probe;

(e) release the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the updated impact parameter; (f) detect automatically within the period of time whether the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter; and

2. A system (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the elongated body (108) is a magnetic body and the probe release means (112) are operable to release the probe (106, 206) towards the area (102, 202) on the body by driving voltage to the probe release means, the driving voltage being defined by the impact parameter.

3. A system (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the probe release means (112) are selected from at least one of air pressure, springs, actuator.

4. A system (100, 200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the area (102, 202) on the body is selected to be at least one of an eye, a knee, an elbow.

5. A system (100, 200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body reflex is selected to be at least one of a blink reflex, a patellar reflex, triceps reflex.

6. A system (100, 200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the impact parameter comprises at least a speed of the probe (106, 206).

7. A system (100, 200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detector is selected to be at least one of a movement sensor, a camera.

8. A system (100, 200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detector further comprises a recording device operable to record the body reflex within the period of time.

9. A system (100, 200) according to any of the claims from 6 to 8, wherein the controller (116, 204) is operable to

- increase the speed of the probe (106, 206) until the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe;

10. A system (100, 200) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the period of time is selected to be from 50 milliseconds up to 150 milliseconds.

11. A method of determining a touch sensitivity of an area (102, 202) on a body, the method comprising: a) setting an impact parameter for a probe (106, 206) comprising an elongated body (108) and a head connected to a first end of the elongated body; b) releasing the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the impact parameter; c) detecting automatically within a period of time whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe; d) updating the impact parameter from a previous value to a new value different from the previous value; e) releasing the probe towards the area on the body to impact the area on the body with the updated impact parameter; f) detecting automatically within the period of time whether a body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe with the updated impact parameter; and g) repeating steps (d) to (f) until the touch sensitivity threshold of the area on the body is determined to be the lowest value of the impact parameter for which the body reflex is detected.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the probe (106, 206) is released towards the area (102, 202) on the body by using at least one of selected from air pressure, springs, actuator.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the probe (106, 206) is released towards the area (102, 202) on the body by driving voltage to a release means.

14. A method according to any of the claims from 11 to 13, wherein the impact parameter comprises at least a speed of the probe (106, 206).

15. A method according to any of the claims from 11 to 14, wherein the impact parameter is

- increased until the body reflex occurs as a response to the impact of the probe (106, 206);

16. A method according to any of the claims from 11 to 15 further comprising recording the body reflex within the period of time with a recording device.

17. A method according to any of the claims from 11 to 16, wherein the period of time is selected to be from 50 milliseconds up to 150 milliseconds.