NU 2016-003

Inventors

Marcello Cherchi

Short Description

A medical device that measures retinal skew to differentiate onset of common to life-threatening acute balance disorders

Background

Dizziness, vertigo, and other balance-related issues are common complaints in the clinical setting, particularly in the ER. However, balance disorders and dizziness are challenging to rapidly diagnose and objectively assess in the clinic for a variety of reasons. Dizziness is a subjective sensation, disrupted balance could have many possible causes, and methods using ocular positioning must take into account static versus dynamic abnormalities.

Abstract

A Northwestern inventor has developed a novel method and economical device that measures retinal skew which is important for diagnosing balance disorders in the clinic. Retinal skew is calculated using the position of three landmarks: (1) the retina; (2) the orbit, i.e. the bony eye socket; and (3) the earth axis. It is useful for clinicians to quickly and easily evaluate patients and distinguish those with a life-threatening acute balance disorder (e.g., brainstem stroke) from those with a more innocuous form of dizziness. Precise measurement of ocular positioning/torsion and movement serves as a proxy readout for function of the vestibular system, which governs balance sensation and orientation. However, current practices measuring retinal skew are not rapid, low resolution, expensive, uncomfortable, or invasive. This novel Northwestern technology provides an accurate, rapid, non-invasive, and low-cost option that can be easily deployed.

Applications

• Retinal skew and balance disorder diagnosis or evaluation in various clinical settings:
• Neurology/Neurophthalmology/Neurotology
• Otology/Audiology, Otolaryngology
• Emergency Medicine

Advantages

• Objective measurement
• Easy to apply and implement
• Accurate

Publications

Cherchi M (2011) Infrequent causes of disequilibrium in the adult. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 44; 405-414.

IP Status

A US Provisional patent application has been filed.