Automatic examination for vestibulo-ocular reflex function test

Abstract

The authors present an automatic vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function test system which includes the following parts: a PC-controlled rotation chair provides the sinusoidal stimuli pattern (0.1 Hz approximately 2.0 Hz) for semicircular canal acceleration input; an electronic circuit amplifies the DC electro-oculography (EOG) signals for recording the eye movement; an efficient algorithm removes the fast phase of nystagmus to reconstruct the slow phase. From the observation of magnitude gain and phase shift between the semicircular canal sinusoidal acceleration input and the eye movement, we can test the vestibular function for clinical purposes. For normal people, the unity gain and 180 degree phase shift. This system will allow the clinician to diagnose patients with vertigo, dizziness and disequilibrium.<>