Simultaneous detection of the position of eye movements and head for diagnostic purposes of the vestibular system

Abstract

A device for the simultaneous detection of the position of eye movements and head for diagnostic purposes of the vestibular system was developed. A sensor (3-axis accelerometer) attached to a helmet was used to detect the movements of the head, processing data from the accelerometer was held in LabVIEW. A video camera was used to detect eye movements and then image processing was performed. The tests were conducted on a mobile base in which a second sensor (3-axis accelerometer) was included to perform the tests while the subject was in movement. Experimental results show that it is possible to track eye movements and head without restriction in body movements, which is useful for detecting problems associated with loss of balance, especially under certain circumstances, for example when there is no reference point.